Inspired by the racing victories from AC Car’s formative years, the ground breaking new AC GT Coupe adds motorsport derived enhancements to develop a thoroughbred sports car like no other
AC GT
Coupe
Starting from £225,000 (excluding VAT)
Inspired by the racing victories from AC Car’s formative years, the ground breaking new AC GT Coupe adds motorsport derived enhancements to develop a thoroughbred sports car like no other
THE FIRST OF A NEW BREED
A groundbreaking new model from Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer introduces something unique: The AC GT Coupe is the first ever production AC coupe.
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Fusing the unmistakeable AC Cobra aesthetic with a contemporary profile, the new coupe uses an enhanced version of the same platform as AC GT Roadster platform, and retains a potent 5.0-litre V8 engine, to deliver a road legal model that draws on the company’s racing heritage
A legend reborn
A groundbreaking new model from Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer introduces something unique: The AC GT Coupe is the first ever production AC coupe.
Fusing the unmistakeable AC Cobra aesthetic with a contemporary profile, the new coupe uses an enhanced version of the same platform as AC GT Roadster platform, and retains a potent 5.0-litre V8 engine, to deliver a road legal model that draws on the company’s racing heritage.
A Fusion of Heritage, Innovation, and Exclusivity
Respecting the heritage of the Cobra legend, but challenging convention, the new AC GT Coupe represents a tour de force in both the engineering and exclusivity of its production. Just 250 examples of this cutting-edge Coupe are expected to be built for worldwide markets every year.
A RACE INSPIRED AC COUPE FOR THE OPEN ROAD
Undeniably a member of the AC GT family, it retains key touch points from the Roadster but is inspired by the infamous AC A98 coupe Le Mans race car from 1964.
To honour this legacy, the limited AC GT Coupe Clubsport will represent the pinnacle of performance. With just 99 examples built, and predominately featuring a 799bhp V8 powertrain, it will provide an incredible, competition car experience on either the street or the circuit.
UNDENIABLY AN AC COBRA
Retaining the iconic shoulder line, the new AC GT Coupe has very obvious connection to the brand’s current styling code, but introduces a Kammtail rear. A distinctive design element, employed by leading race teams in the, the configuration improves a vehicle’s aerodynamic efficiency without resorting to an elongated longtail solution. Employed in the design of the AC A98 coupe the Kammtail adds enhances performance as well the GT Coupe’s overall racing aesthetic. As with the GT Roadster, the new GT Coupe is notably larger than the original AC Cobra.
Drawing on the skills of AC Cars’ production team, the AC GT Coupe employs the latest carbon fibre production techniques to create the unique fixed head design. This includes a subtle ‘double bubble’ concept, which acknowledges the car’s lightweight credentials. This has been achieved without compromise to cabin space, ensuring that the driver and passenger enjoy every mile in this grand tourer.
CABIN
Inspired by the equestrian world, as well as the work of artisans, the design, materials and composition of the AC GT Coupe’s cabin owes as much to the marque’s heritage as it does the luxury sport car genre. Retaining historic touchpoints, but still driver-centric, there is no conflict between useability and aesthetics.
HAND FINISHED AND UNIQUE
Befitting such an advanced and highly exclusive car, the AC GT Coupe’s cabin has received as much care and devotion as the rest of the design. Featuring bespoke details and unique hand finished elements unseen in the automotive world before, it underlines AC Cars’ commitment to its vehicles going forward.
PREMIUM LEATHER
The design and detailing of the AC GT Coupe’s leatherwork and upholstery are a clear differentiator for the car. Carefully blending advanced and highly resilient fabrics with traditional materials elevates the cabin, yet once again respects the car’s heritage.
SADDLE-BAG DOOR CARDS
The unique saddle-bag door cards fuse function with style, incorporating stowage space and the close handle, while a racing style door release strap reasserts the car’s competition pedigree. The innovative slide pockets either side of the transmission tunnel provide the perfect place for storing phones, and chime with the full size, carbon-fibre-shell seats trimmed to AC Car’s exacting specification and embossed with its famous logo.
BREATHTAKING AND WITH AN EPIC SOUNDTRACK
Developing up to 799bhp (810PS) and 575lb ft (800Nm) – or 454bhp (460PS) and 420lb ft (570Nm) in standard configuration – the supercharged GT Coupe is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Perfectly complementing the engines, two gearboxes are available: a 6-speed manual gearbox for purists or an advanced 10-speed automatic gearbox with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles. A performance Supercharger option will also be available, offering enhanced intake air cooling.
TECHNOLOGY
The new AC GT uses modern powertrain and control technology along with custom engine management, and electric power steering, and offers a choice of four vehicle modes and three steering modes. From Street to Track and to Race, each vehicle mode progressively increases throttle response, steering feel and exhaust note, while decreasing the intervention of stability control and ABS systems. For cars fitted with the 10-speed automatic gearbox, the vehicle modes also affect gear selection speed. A separate Wet mode reins in the car’s power and limits wheelspin when driving in treacherous weather. As standard, the AC GT Coupe is equipped with a friction limited slip differential but an optional Torsen® LSD will be available.
Secondary functions including HVAC, navigation and infotainment, and smartphone integration are via the 10.25-inch touch screen mounted below the main instrumentation. As standard the infotainment system comes with 2-way front speakers and 2-way rear fill speakers, delivering 250W RMS output. However, a higher fidelity system will be available, offering 3-way front speakers and 2-way rear fill speaks with a subwoofer, with 450W RMS output.
Other driver controls, such as vehicle and steering modes, are selectable by the top tier of machined toggle switches, and designed to provide relatable haptic controls, along with simpler functions such as engine start/stop, electronic handbrake and the electric windows.
Brakes, wheels and tyres
In keeping with the rest of the car’s high-performance characteristics, the braking system is aligned with each version’s requirements: 6-piston calipers and ø 394 mm steel hybrid brake discs at the front and 4-piston calipers and ø 378 mm steel hybrid brake discs at the rear for the supercharged model – 6-piston calipers and ø 380mm steel brake discs front and single piston calipers and ø 330 mm steel brake discs at the rear for the standard car.
Ensuring that wheel choice doesn’t hamper overall performance, the new AC GT Coupe uses custom rims developed specifically for the car. With a common-sense approach, and using centre-lock style caps covering a conventional 5-stud hub, the forged and machined design matches the rest of the vehicle’s light-yet-strong mantra.
The 21-inch, 9.5 J rims fitted as standard at the front of the supercharged model weigh 14.2 kg each, while the 12J rims fitted at the rear weigh 16.5 kg each. Perfectly complementing these, the high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres fitted as standard on both versions provide precision handling with safety, while the optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres offer a track-orientated alternative.
Employing a floor-mounted Tilton racing pedal box, the calibrated brake system does without a brake booster and ensures excellent feel and feedback at any speed. Aficionados of the AC Cobra will appreciate the attention to detail in the ‘AC’ machined pedal plates.
Engineering
Developing a highly advanced extruded aluminium monocouque chassis for the project, the engineering team have provided AC Cars with a platform fit for future models as well as the new roadster. Extremely light and with exceptional torsional rigidity, it is optimized for an open-top car yet does not impose a weight penalty. With kerb weight under 1’450 kg, the new AC GT Coupe retains the performance credentials its forebears were famous for.
The new chassis has a wheelbase of 2’570 mm, 284 mm longer than the AC Cobra Mk. VI, yet the car’s overall length has grown only 110 mm, up to 4’225 mm. The car’s track has also been optimised to give a wider stance, which, along with the car’s weight distribution and centre of gravity, drastically benefits handling and agility.
Once again, the AC Cobra draws on a formidable V8 engine for the firepower needed to deliver the speed and soundtrack respected by fans around the world. Available in two distinct configurations, the new GT Roadster comes with either a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 or a naturally aspirated version using the same modular engine.
TECHNICAL SPECS
|
Model
|
Engine
 |
|---|---|
|
GT V8 Coupe
|
Normally Aspirated 450bhp (456 PS) V8
|
|
GT V8 S Coupe
|
720bhp (730 PS) Supercharged V8
|
|
GTS Clubsport Edition
(limited to 99 examples)
|
799bhp (810 PS) Supercharged and Specially Tuned V8
|
* The values stated are based on tests with pre-series vehicles and do not relate to an individual vehicle. The actual values can deviate slightly from the stated values for the series vehicle and are not binding. Each vehicle is handmade with the utmost care and according to strict guidelines, nevertheless, there may be small deviations in the technical measured values due to the individual production. There may still be changes to the way certain elements are constructed. ** According to the EC standard, the unladen weight applies to vehicles with standard equipment. Optional equipment increases this value. The specified value includes 75 kg for the driver.