Updated Alpha Ace: the retro coupe has increased in size, there are new versions

American electric vehicle startup Alpha Motor Corporation of Irvine, California, has not yet released any of the announced models, but has already begun upgrading them. The first of the virtual premieres, the Ace coupe, received an extended wheelbase and an interior in the style of the Saga family. At the same time, the light platform “Alpha.

Alpha Motor Corporation made its first public appearance in late 2020, effectively introducing the Ace coupe and full line of light commercial vehicles on the AMP (Automobile Modular Platform) flat scooter platform. During 2021, the company announced a Jax crossover, three single-cab Wolf pickups, one 1.5-cab Wolf+ and one double-cab Superwolf, two Saga and Supersaga sedans, one Saga Estate pickup, and one unmanned Room shuttle with a hatchback design longitudinal cab.

For a long time it was not clear who was behind the mysterious start-up, the only live presentation of the Wolf truck was made by hired PR people, and only last fall it was revealed that Edward Lee, an Asian American designer who previously worked at Lexus and Audi, runs the company. By that time, the Ace business line and the AMP platform had already been forgotten, now the startup promotes only cars and trucks.

Unlike most EV startups, Alpha Motor Corporation doesn't raise investors (at least not publicly) and only shares the most superficial technical information. At the same time, pre-orders are accepted for models advertised on the company's website (except for the Room drone). The Wolf pickup should be the first in the series in 2023, the release dates for other models have not yet been announced. Alpha Motor Corporation will not have its own factories: the company has contract assembly in the US and Europe.

The Ace coupe update is the startup's first big news this year. The total length of the electric car has increased from 4180 to 4280 mm, the width has decreased from 1886 to 1840 mm, the height has decreased from 1450 to 1430 mm. The wheelbase has become longer, but how much is not reported. The proportions of the two-door have become more harmonious, but the overall retro style has changed only in details: the headlight and taillight sections can now be individually designed; buyers will be offered several options.

The interior of the Ace now has a more traditional look compared to the late 2020 variant, with an analog-style electronic instrument cluster borrowed from the Saga models, a new steering wheel, new seats, new door panels and a new central tunnel with ample storage.

The Ace Coupe will be offered in four trim levels: the base, sporty Performance Edition, the even sportier Super Ace, and the Adventure Series crossover (not shown), but it's not yet clear how they will differ in terms of technology. Some features shown so far only for the base coupe: single electric motor on the rear axle (power not specified), acceleration to 60 miles per hour (96.56 km/h) in 6 seconds, range on a single charge: more than 400 km, curb weight – 1633 kg. The minimum price is $32,000.

For the first time, the Ace platform is shown, which turned out to be not completely flat, but quite embossed, although the battery located on the floor is just flat. The relief is created by the connection points of the suspensions and the power plant. Suspension – spring, type McPherson “in a circle”. The steering mechanism shown in the video on YouTube is an electromechanical rack and pinion type.

We add that all the announced Alpha novelties are of great interest to motorists because of their unusual neoclassical design, but experts are skeptical about the launch because of the too closed business mode that does not allow assessing its prospects.