• AC Cars reveals new battery-powered Ace Classic Electric at SEMA—an EV take on its classic roadster
  • The car is powered by a Tremec-supplied 301-hp motor, and does zero to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds
  • AC will build just 45 examples of the Ace Classic Electric, at a cost of CDN$383,000

The hype around electric vehicles has cooled slightly in recent times, with several major automakers scaling back their ambitious EV goals. However, a slight buzz remains in the air, enough to still attract even the fringe players in the automotive sector. One of the latest examples is AC Cars. At this year’s edition of SEMA, the U.K.-based specialty carmaker unveiled a retro-styled EV called the AC Ace Classic Electric, built in partnership with car-parts supplier Tremec.

If the name “AC Cars” rings a bell, that may be because it’s the firm that supplied the chassis and bodywork (from its Ace model) that underpinned the original Shelby Cobra; Carroll Shelby was just the Texan with the inspiration to pair it to a potent Ford V8, creating one of the most iconic sports cars of the classic era.

However, instead of a thumping V8 heart, AC Cars has gone down the electric route with its newest creation, opting instead for a battery pack and electric motor. Packed within the lightweight frame of the new Ace Classic is a Tremec-developed rear-mounted electric motor and 72-kWh battery.

The setup generates 301 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s a modest sum, but then the Ace Classic only weighs 2,425 lbs (1,100 kg), an impressive feat thanks to the extensive use of carbon-fibre in the car’s construction. AC Cars claims a respectable 4.9-second-sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h). A full battery charge should be enough for a 200-mile (322-km) range, and, as an added bonus, the car’s EV architecture boasts DC fast-charge capabilities.

The new AC Ace Classic Electric roadster is based on the company’s Ace from the ’50s, so it should be no surprise it shares some design similarities to the Cobra. The body was formed from hand-laid carbon-fibre in a familiar shape that harks back to the ol’ Shelby, but without its exaggerated fenders or – obviously – signature side-exit exhausts.

AC Cars says its electric roadster has a 50-50 front-to-rear weight distribution, which, together with the car’s light weight, should enhance exceptionally agile handling. Two versions of the car will be available: the Ace Classic Electric, with the original Ace’s open grille design; and the Ace Bristol Classic Electric, with the earlier “smiling face” first introduced back in 1953. A bespoke service will also be available for clients who wish to add personal customization touches to their cars.

Production is expected to commence next year with an initial planned run of 45 units, available in left- or right-hand-drive. Each example will be priced at about CDN$383,600 (US$275,000) excluding taxes.

Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on Instagram ,Facebook and X to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.