AC Ace

AC Ace: Which Version Should You Buy?

The AC Ace was offered in a single Roadster generation from 1992 to 2000, with six versions ranging from the 195 hp 2.9 MT and 2.9 AT to the turbocharged 354 hp 3.5 MT. The best choice depends primarily on transmission and performance priorities. The 3.5 MT has the highest output and quickest measured acceleration, while the 4.6 MT provides the most torque among the manual versions.

The AC Ace was offered in a single Roadster generation from 1992 to 2000, with six versions ranging from the 195 hp 2.9 MT and 2.9 AT to the turbocharged 354 hp 3.5 MT. The best choice depends primarily on transmission and performance priorities. The 3.5 MT has the highest output and quickest measured acceleration, while the 4.6 MT provides the most torque among the manual versions. Buyers who want an Automatic can choose between the less powerful 2.9 AT and the torquier 4.9 AT. No price, reliability, or market-value data is available, so this comparison focuses strictly on the supplied specifications.

AC Ace generations and versions

The AC Ace has one generation in the catalogue. It ran from 1992 to 2000, used a Roadster body, and contained six versions: 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, 3.0 MT, 3.5 MT, 4.6 MT, and 4.9 AT. Because there is only one generation, the buying decision is a comparison of engines and transmissions rather than a choice between different generations. No restyling information or changes within the production period are specified.

AC Ace engine and specs comparison

Every AC Ace version is Gasoline-powered, V-shaped, and RWD. The principal differences concern displacement, cylinder count, boost, output, and gearbox.

The 2.9 MT and 2.9 AT share the same 2900 cm³ engine specification and the same 195 hp output. Their meaningful recorded difference is the transmission: the 2.9 MT has a 5-speed Manual, whereas the 2.9 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. Both use Distributed injection (multi-point), have 4 valves per cylinder, and operate without boost.

The 3.0 MT raises power to 223 hp, which is 28 hp more than either 2.9 version, despite adding only 100 cm³ of displacement. Its calculated specific output is approximately 74.3 hp per litre, compared with approximately 67.2 hp per litre for the 2.9 MT and 2.9 AT. Torque, fuel grade, valve count, and injection-system figures for the 3.0 MT are not measured.

The 3.5 MT produces the most power: 354 hp from 3506 cm³. Its calculated output of approximately 101.0 hp per litre is the highest in the range. It is also the only Turbo version and the only one with a 6-speed Manual. Its 407 Nm torque figure is 20 Nm below that of the 4.6 MT and 27 Nm below that of the 4.9 AT, but its power exceeds them by 28 hp and 94 hp respectively.

The 4.6 MT offers 326 hp and 427 Nm from 4601 cm³ without boost. Its calculated specific output is approximately 70.9 hp per litre. Compared with the 3.5 MT, it has 1095 cm³ more displacement and 20 Nm more torque, but 28 hp less power.

The 4.9 AT is the largest engine and the strongest Automatic by the available figures. Its 4942 cm³ engine produces 260 hp and 434 Nm, giving it 65 hp more than the 2.9 AT. Its calculated specific output is approximately 52.6 hp per litre. Torque peaks at 3250 rpm, lower than the 4000 rpm listed for the 3.5 MT and the 4600 rpm listed for the 4.6 MT.

AC Ace performance and economy

Among versions with measured acceleration, the 3.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, making it 0.2 seconds quicker than the 4.6 MT. Both have a measured top speed of 250 km/h. The 4.9 AT reaches 225 km/h, which is 25 km/h below the recorded maximum of the 3.5 MT and 4.6 MT.

Acceleration and top speed are not measured for the 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, and 3.0 MT. Acceleration is also not measured for the 4.9 AT. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for any version, so the data cannot establish which AC Ace delivers the best economy or mpg. CO₂ output and eco class are likewise not measured across the range.

AC Ace dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheels

All six versions have 130 mm of ground clearance. Kerb weight is not measured for the 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, and 3.0 MT. The 3.5 MT and 4.6 MT each weigh 1510 kg, while the 4.9 AT weighs 1440 kg. Gross weight and fuel-tank capacity are not measured for any version. Overall exterior dimensions are not measured.

The equal kerb weights of the 3.5 MT and 4.6 MT allow a direct power-to-weight comparison. The 3.5 MT carries approximately 4.27 kg per horsepower, while the 4.6 MT carries approximately 4.63 kg per horsepower. The 4.9 AT carries approximately 5.54 kg per horsepower. On the supplied figures, the 3.5 MT therefore has the strongest power-to-weight result among versions with measured kerb weight.

Wheel sizes are recorded for two versions. The 3.5 MT uses 245/40 R18 and 255/45 R18 sizes. The 4.9 AT uses 225/50 R16 and 235/50 R16 sizes. Wheel sizes for the 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, 3.0 MT, and 4.6 MT are not measured.

Every version has Independent, spring front and rear suspension. Ventilated disc brakes are specified at both ends throughout the range.

Which AC Ace version should you choose?

Choose the 3.5 MT when outright measured performance is the priority. Its 354 hp is the highest figure in the range, its calculated 101.0 hp-per-litre output leads all six versions, and its 5.5-second acceleration is the quickest measured result. It also combines a 6-speed Manual with RWD and is the only Turbo option. Among versions with measured weight, its approximately 4.27 kg per horsepower is the strongest ratio.

Choose the 4.6 MT if you want a non-turbocharged Manual with substantial torque. It produces 427 Nm, which is 20 Nm more than the 3.5 MT, although it gives up 28 hp and takes 0.2 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. The two versions share a 1510 kg kerb weight and a 250 km/h top speed, making the decision a clear trade-off between the 3.5 MT’s greater power and quicker acceleration and the 4.6 MT’s additional torque without boost.

Choose the 4.9 AT if an Automatic transmission and the highest recorded torque matter more than maximum speed. Its 434 Nm leads the range, exceeding the 4.6 MT by 7 Nm and the 3.5 MT by 27 Nm. It also weighs 70 kg less than those two versions. However, its 260 hp is 94 hp below the 3.5 MT, and its 225 km/h top speed is 25 km/h lower.

Choose between the 2.9 MT and 2.9 AT primarily by gearbox preference. Both have 195 hp, 2900 cm³, 6 cylinders, a V-shaped layout, no boost, fuel grade 92, and RWD. The 2.9 MT provides a 5-speed Manual; the 2.9 AT provides a 4-speed Automatic. Their acceleration, top speed, torque, weight, and fuel-consumption figures are not measured, so no further performance ranking between them is supported.

The 3.0 MT occupies the middle ground among the lower-output Manual versions. Its 223 hp is 28 hp above the 2.9 MT, and its approximately 74.3 hp per litre also beats the 2.9 MT’s approximately 67.2 hp per litre. It remains well below the 3.5 MT’s 354 hp, but its missing torque, acceleration, speed, and weight measurements prevent a complete comparison.

On specifications alone, the 3.5 MT is the clearest performance choice, the 4.6 MT is the high-torque non-turbo Manual alternative, and the 4.9 AT is the strongest Automatic. The 2.9 MT, 2.9 AT, and 3.0 MT can still be separated by transmission and power, but absent performance, economy, and weight measurements make a broader verdict impossible. Price, availability, problems, reliability, and value are not measured in the supplied data and therefore cannot determine the final buying decision.