Engineering:AC 378 GT Zagato

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AC 378 GT Zagato
AC 378 GT Zagato at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Overview
ManufacturerAC Cars
Also calledPerana Z-One
Production2012 (Prototype)
AssemblyHi-Tech Automotive, Gqeberha, South Africa
DesignerZagato
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door fastback coupé
Layoutfront engine, rear wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine6.2 L GM LS3 V8
Transmission6 speed manual
Dimensions
uk|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight1,465 kg (3,230 lb)

The AC 378 GT Zagato is a sports car designed by the Italian design company Zagato and built in South Africa by Hi-Tech Automotive. It was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The design of the 378 GT was previewed in 2009 as the Perana Z-One, and was later badged as an AC Cars product.[1][2] Sales were expected to commence by the end of 2012.[3]

The car is powered by a 437 bhp (326 kW; 443 PS) 6.2 L V8 GM sourced engine found in the Chevrolet Camaro.[4] Weighing 1,465 kg (3,230 lb), the car has a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of around 298 km/h.[5] The car does not feature any electronic driver aids.

The car was priced at around €109,990 for the coupe version.[6]

History

In February 2009, the South African company Perana presented the result of its cooperation with the Italian design studio Zagato, a small sports car with a coupé body. Named the Perana Z-One, it was officially presented at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.[7]

The styling of the Z-One was described by the manufacturer as a combination of futurism, lightness and aerodynamics.[8] The car received a characteristic, slim silhouette with a flat, elongated front and muscular rear wheel arches. Typically for cars designed by Zagato, the front fascia was decorated with a low, rounded radiator grille with a structure of chrome, horizontal bars.

The car is powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 with 440 hp (328 kW) and 583 N⋅m (430 lb⋅ft) of maximum torque at 6600 rpm. Weighing less than 1.2 tons, it's estimated to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4 seconds. The engine comes from the Chevrolet Corvette C6.[9]

Name change

Three years after the premiere of the Z-One, Perana Performance Group faced financial difficulties and handed over the project to British company AC Cars. As a result, the car was given a new name, the AC 378 GT Zagato.[10] A characteristic feature of the model after being renamed an AC was the lack of electronic driver assistance systems, aimed at experienced, talented drivers.[11]

Sale

Sales of the car began in July 2009.[12] Originally, Perana planned to produce a limited number of 999 units at the plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at a price of $70,000 per car.[13] Ultimately, however, only 10 units of the sports model were built under the Perana brand, 7 of which went to customers in the United States. In February 2017, one of them was listed for $125,999 on eBay.[14] After being renamed AC 378 GT Zagato, production continued to be handled by plants belonging to Hi-Tech Automotive in South Africa, but this also failed to be realized on a large scale and after 2012, information about the car ceased.[15]

  • Perana Z-One
    Perana Z-One
  • Perana Z-One rear
    Perana Z-One rear
  • AC 378 GT Zagato side view
    AC 378 GT Zagato side view
  • AC 378 GT Zagato rear view
    AC 378 GT Zagato rear view

References

  1. ↑ Pollard, Tim (6 March 2012). "AC 378 GT Zagato supercar at 2012 Geneva". Car Magazine. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/AC-378-GT-Zagato-supercar-at-2012-Geneva-motor-show/. Retrieved 4 July 2012. 
  2. ↑ Adams, Jesse (22 March 2012). "High Tech and AC revive Perana Z-One". IOL Motoring. http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/high-tech-and-ac-revive-perana-z-one-1.1261643#.T_RV9BxvZ5d. Retrieved 4 July 2012. 
  3. ↑ Rosamund, Chris (28 May 2012). "Fresh start for AC Cars". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/9272536/Fresh-start-for-AC-Cars.html. Retrieved 4 July 2012. 
  4. ↑ Rendell, Julian (29 June 2012). "AC Cars makes UK comeback at Goodwood". Autocar. http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/goodwood-festival-speed-2012/ac-cars-makes-uk-comeback-goodwood. Retrieved 4 July 2012. 
  5. ↑ "AC 378 GT Zagato specs, 0-60, performance data" (in en-US). https://fastestlaps.com/models/ac-378-gt-zagato. 
  6. ↑ "2012 AC 378 GT Zagato @ Top Speed" (in en). 2012-03-09. https://www.topspeed.com/cars/ac-cars/2012-ac-378-gt-zagato/. 
  7. ↑ Gall, Jared (2009-02-23). "Zagato Perana Z-One" (in en-US). Car and Driver. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15147035/zagato-perana-z-one-auto-shows/. 
  8. ↑ Dellis, Nick (2016-04-24). "2009 Perana Z-One" (in en-US). https://www.supercars.net/blog/2009-perana-z-one/. 
  9. ↑ Hanson, Ralph (2009-03-02). "Complete details, photos of South African Zagato Perana Z-One sports car" (in en). https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1032308_complete-details-photos-of-south-african-zagato-perana-z-one-sports-car. 
  10. ↑ Gabrysiak, Arkadiusz (9 March 2012). "AC 378 GT Zagato - cichy debiut w Genewie [Genewa 2012"] (in pl-PL). Autokult. https://autokult.pl/ac-378-gt-zagato-cichy-debiut-w-genewie-genewa-2012,6808039126201985a. 
  11. ↑ "Rare AC 378 GT Zagato Snapped in Cape Town - GTspirit" (in en-US). 2015-07-19. https://gtspirit.com/2015/07/19/rare-ac-378-gt-zagato-snapped-in-cape-town/. 
  12. ↑ "Zagato Perana Z-One (2009)" (in en). https://www.netcarshow.com/zagato/2009-perana_z-one/. 
  13. ↑ "Zagato perana Z-one" (in PL). 2009-02-24. https://motoryzacja.interia.pl/wiadomosci/news-zagato-perana-z-one,nId,1381519. 
  14. ↑ Perez, Jeff (6 February 2017). "Rare Perana Z-One Zagato eBay find is just one of 10" (in en). https://www.motor1.com/news/135390/perana-supercar-for-sale/. 
  15. ↑ "AC 378 GT Zagato - Afrykański łącznik" (in pl). 2012-03-08. https://autogen.pl/news-2297-ac-378-gt-zagato-afrykanski-lacznik.html. 



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