AC will live, with Smart underpinnings
The U.K. sports car group Project Kimber has announced that they'll be bringing back the renowned AC mark, with production expected to begin in 2007. As if that's not exciting enough, they've brought in some of the most celebrated names in vehicle design. Most notably among them is Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1, John Piper who was instrumental in the JCB DieselMax landspeed record-setter and Jaguar F-Type concept designer, Keith Helfet.
The featherweight two-seater is based off the last generation Smart roadster and will come in both coupe and convertible trims. An updated engine and gearbox will be mounted mid-ship, shoveling power to the rear wheels. 8,000 examples are expected to be produced each year, with a starting price rumored to be around £13,000.
Beyond those basics, details are scarce, but knowing what masters are manning the design team, we're confident that AC will be returned to its former glory.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ETMC 2:58PM (9/07/2006)
Sign me up for one - should it come to the US.
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Oliver 2:35PM (9/07/2006)
Keith Helfet, OMG! Think of what he has done already: XJ220, XK180 and the stunning F-Type (!!!)
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felonious.monk 2:23PM (9/07/2006)
Hmm... how about a fuel efficient, torquey, turbo diesel SMART roadster?
Bring it stateside too.
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rwdmtparkingonly 2:27PM (9/07/2006)
From their website it looks like they've been back in business for a while selling the Ace http://www.acautomotive.info/index.html . I'm guessing they have no market advantedge that will allow them to be any more succesful with this than DCX was.
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tim c 2:45PM (9/07/2006)
A firm in the UK called Z-cars puts superbike engines and boxes in these. You don't need much torque if you've not much weight and you get double the standard power. A sequential six-speed gearbox is a nice little bonus too.
Living in South Wales myself, where the factory will be, I'm pleased to see this development and wish them the best of luck. Gordon Murray's been talking about his ideas for a revolutionary new city car for a while now and it'll be interesting to see what he comes up with. No doubt you lot will want me to be camped outside the factory gate with a camera.
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Adam 2:58PM (9/07/2006)
Lets see a new Shelby Cobra or something like it based on this "new" AC roadster. That would be a blast!
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epp_b 1:00AM (11/28/2006)
["Hmm... how about a fuel efficient, torquey, turbo diesel SMART roadster?"]
PLEASE, no diesels. It should be a quick, tight-handling roadster that doesn't say "I'm being driven by a tight wad!" and doesn't sound like a pepper grinder.
Drop in a small, clever 4 cylinder in there (like a 180HP 1.8 from a Toyota Celica, for example) and watch the lightweight roadster fly. And give it a proper manual instead the paddle shift (AKA poseur-shift).
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Clarence 4:42PM (9/07/2006)
The litte Smart roadster kinda looks like the toad that hangs around the doorstep. I'm not knocking it. I like the little guy and I have always liked the kinkiness of the Smart roadster. Bring it stateside for 76.37% of a base Miata price and I will go for it.
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Howard Kerr 5:31PM (9/07/2006)
"...with a starting price rumored to be around 13,000 pounds Sterling."
Translation: For the price, at current exchange rates, STARTING around $25,000.
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Nill 2:11AM (9/21/2006)
Someone PLEASE import the damn thing this time.
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naggs 10:16PM (9/07/2006)
so now we just need an american to come along and fit an ls7 inplace of the 600cc moped engine.
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Steve 8:13PM (9/07/2006)
Let the gas go 20$/gallon and let the fun begin.
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Toby 8:51PM (9/07/2006)
Are they changing any of the styling? I say buy some Suzuki super bike engines and gear boxes and make if crazy fast. If it is Lotus fast I would pay the 25k for it.
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Campisi 5:09AM (9/08/2006)
naggs,
You'd be AMAZED how tempted I was when I read your response to jump out of my seat, yelling "Hell yeah!" :)
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