AC 378 GT Zagato
Motor vehicle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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| AC 378 GT Zagato | |
|---|---|
AC 378 GT Zagato at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | AC Cars |
| Also called | Perana Z-One |
| Production | 2012 (Prototype) |
| Assembly | Hi-Tech Automotive, Gqeberha, South Africa |
| Designer | Zagato |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door fastback coupé |
| Layout | front engine, rear wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.2 L GM LS3 V8 |
| Transmission | 6 speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Kerb weight | 1,465 kg (3,230 lb) |
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]
Gallery
Perana Z-One
Perana Z-One rear
AC 378 GT Zagato side view
AC 378 GT Zagato rear view
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