AC Car Group Limited today launched what could be the world’s fastest accelerating production car. Its new model, the AC 212 S/C 3.5 Litre V8 Twin Turbo, is a Lotus-powered, carbon fibre bodied car which could well be a contender for top honours in the coveted 0-100mph-0 stakes.

Since the car has not yet been properly tested over this gruelling acceleration and braking challenge AC is not claiming that its new model will be the fastest, merely that it will certainly be one of the very fastest cars in the world. A 0-60mph time of around 4.0 seconds is very much on the cards, while the possibility of securing the 0-100-0 crown is feasible depending upon tyre grip under both acceleration and braking.

With 350 bhp available from its 3.5 litre Lotus V8 Twin Turbo engine, the new AC 212 S/C (named in the traditions of earlier AC Cobras after the cubic inch capacity of its engine and Street/Competition* specification) is destined to win true supercar status. Priced attractively at £68,990, the new car is the star of this year’s AC Car Group Limited stand (No 6030 in Hall 6) at the British International Motor Show 2000 which opens at the NEC, Birmingham this week.

For the new car AC is using the ultra low weight of the advanced Formula One carbon fibre body technology it pioneered on the very successful AC Cobra MKIV CRS. High performance Avon tyres have been selected to create a special road/race package for the AC 212 S/C to ensure that the huge output of the Lotus V8 reaches the road. Coupled to a six-speed gearbox, this exciting engine is now able to deliver its full power and torque potential.

‘With the AC 212 S/C we’ve been able to bring together three tremendous assets in the same package, says John Owen, AC Car Group Limited’s Chief Engineer and the man who earlier led the Lotus design team which conceived the V8 unit. We’ve got the ultimate sports car looks of the iconic AC Cobra. We’ve developed the pioneering F1 carbon fibre technology from the CRS. And we’ve mated all of this to one of the most powerful engines available today – the Lotus V8. The result is a car which should set new records – on and off the track!’

The specification of the new AC 212 S/C model reflects its tremendous performance potential. The 3.5 litre Lotus engine with twin Garratt turbochargers develops 350 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It drives through a Tremec T56 six-speed manual gearbox and BTR Hydratrak final drive (ratio 3.73:1) to the rear axle. Power steering is standard together with AP Racing dual circuit servo-assisted ventilated discs all round. For full details see enclosed specification sheet.

With its record-breaking performance, the new AC 212 S/C is bound to evoke strong memories of the tremendous power of the ultimate AC Cobra, the AC Cobra 427 with its seven litre Ford V8. Despite the much higher weight of the AC Cobra 427 (the AC 212 S/C weighs in at approximately 900 kg, about three quarters of the weight of the 427) it achieved acceleration figures which should prove roughly comparable with the new model. Interestingly, AC Car Group Limited is finding a steady demand from true connoisseurs wanting the ultimate in individuality offered by the AC Cobra 427, which it has been continuously building since the early 1960s.

‘The AC 212 S/C is a hugely valuable addition to our line up of models which so proudly display their AC Cobra pedigree’, said Mike Hall, AC Car Group Limited’s Joint Chairman. ‘It provides supercar performance which will prove to be very near – or even at – the peak of a strongly competitive group of cars. Our advanced body construction offers high-tech, low cost motoring and has enabled us to produce this prodigious combination at a very affordable price’.

Story by AC Car Group Limited, Press release 17 October 2000