Project Kimber's 'AC Smart' uncovered

[Pebb]

Source: AutoCar

Project Kimber, the British venture that plans to revive the Smart Roadster under the AC name, has released the first images of its new car.

The consortium plans to build the car at a site in the UK and has said it’s “in the final stages of assembling a £65m investment package.”

But Kimber chairman Lord James of Blackheath admitted the plan was behind schedule. “It is taking longer to achieve than we originally hoped,” he said. “We have a number of significant investors who are close to commitment and require at least one more to do so before we close the book. We expect to be able to announce that this has been completed in the near future.”

Kimber negotiated the rights to the defunct Smart Roadster and Roadster Coupe earlier this year. It has now agreed with Smart about the equipment it will take from Smart’s factories to build the cars.

The cars will not be exact copies of the Smarts with AC badges (see Smart, right). Kimber intends to redesign and re-engineer the vehicles, and will give them a new look. However, judging by the sketch, there will be commonality between the models in componentry like their doorhandles, and apparently in some of their panels. Interestingly, this sketch shows a car with vertically-opening scissor doors; there’s no confirmation from Project Kimber that they’ll make the final version though.

Production of the car should start next year.

 

[skip0110]

Carroll Shelby should take a crack at it

 

[Slicks]

I must admit that I didn't particularly like the original Smart Roadster, but this one looks quite good. The wheels really suit it.
Any ideas of what will power it?

 

[harrytuttle]

It's cute. I'm all for a new Sprite/Midget. 👍

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Heh, exactly what I thought, another Sprite. Awesome, it's as the original should've been 👍

 

[JohnBM01]

Now there is a handsome machine. I'd love to see how this car ends up when its final version is released. I REALLY like what I see here. I can already see this thing travelling down the streets of London, Manchester (where my buddy live4speed is from), or maybe even running some hot laps at Brands Hatch or Donnington Park. It looks very sporty and should have no problems performing like a sporty automobile.

I never hated Smart's designs. They aren't beautiful, but they aren't completely horrid either. Many of you would likely agree this thing looks better than the Smart Roadster. Of course, you can compare for yourself by taking this image and comparing it to the Smart Roadster < http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/broadband/roadtest_smart_roadster.html >.

 

[Dave A]

I like that, it looks quirky. It reminds me of the Austin Healey Bugeye. I hop they sort the gearbox out, in the Smart Roadster as that page JhonBM01 linked to states, it was one of the cars weak points, if they could give it a sportier change, might not requie a new box, maybe just a new clutch. I don't know. It does look a lot nicer than the Smart imo, which also looked quirky but in a different way.

 

[Jim Prower]

awwww...so cute! bet it'd be a joy to drive, too! (Hopefully, inexspensive...and sold in America, too.)

 

[niky]

I've always liked the looks of the Roadster, myself... except for some reservations about the big "M coupe-esque" glasshouse in the rear. It's got all the right traditional curves under those quirky styling cues, but, as you can see from the photos, put some "old-school" lamps and a grille on, and it looks exactly right.

I'm not sold on the scissor doors. Keep It Simple, Stupid! KISS and Keep It Cheap. And, yes, dump the auto-box, stick in a nice four ( Yes, seriously ) or five speed manual box to cut costs even more. No mufflers, please. Just give me catalytics and a straight pipe after the turbo... I like my steak raw.

The Roadster is one of few automotive failures that I was sad to see go... especially since, at its price, I might have been able to afford one secondhand after a couple of years or so, as a weekend toy.

I'd dearly love to see one of these "Kimbers" on the road in the near future... I can't wait!