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A Historic Site Reawakens with a New Mission
Trollhättan, the Swedish city that once thrived as the beating heart of Saab’s automotive legacy, is shifting gears. The former Saab factory at Stallbacka, a site where generations of Swedish engineers perfected their craft, is preparing to produce a very different breed of car: the AC Cobra, an icon of British automotive history.
This unlikely fusion of Swedish manufacturing excellence and British roadster heritage is driven by a new partnership between AC Cars—Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer—and T-Engineering, a company founded by former Saab engineers. With production set to begin imminently, high-performance, hand-built roadsters will soon roll out of the same facility that once gave birth to the Saab 92, 900 Turbo, and the final-generation 9-5.
AC Cars: From British Icon to Swedish Precision
AC Cars is far from a relic of the past. As the company behind the original Cobra, it has managed to adapt and survive in a rapidly evolving automotive industry. Today, AC is reviving the Cobra nameplate with a modern approach, blending classic aesthetics with cutting-edge engineering.
The new AC Cobra GT Roadster stays true to its roots, featuring a Ford-sourced 5.0L V8 engine, available in both naturally aspirated and supercharged versions. This ensures the unmistakable roar and raw power that enthusiasts expect from the Cobra name. However, AC Cars is also introducing a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder option, producing an impressive 395 horsepower, offering a lightweight, high-revving alternative for a different driving experience.
While the Cobra is best known as an open-top roadster, AC is also producing a coupé variant, expanding its appeal to those who prefer a hardtop design. Regardless of body style, each Cobra will be built with meticulous craftsmanship in Trollhättan, leveraging the precision and quality that made Saab vehicles legendary.
Why Trollhättan? The Perfect Home for AC Cobra Production
Trollhättan’s selection as a production site is not coincidental. The city boasts a rich history of automotive innovation, engineering prowess, and a highly skilled workforce. Following Saab’s closure, many of its engineers and technicians transitioned into T-Engineering, an advanced automotive technology company that now manages the facility where AC Cobras will be assembled.
Beyond skilled labor, Trollhättan offers an invaluable asset to AC Cars: the Saab Legacy Test Track. This private track, once used to refine Saab’s turbocharged masterpieces, will now serve as a proving ground for the new Cobra models. Precision handling, durability testing, and high-speed evaluations will take place on the same asphalt where Saab engineers once pushed the limits of aerodynamics and turbo performance.
The Role of T-Engineering in Revitalizing Trollhättan
T-Engineering has emerged as a key player in revitalizing automotive production in Trollhättan. Originally formed by ex-Saab engineers, the company has steadily expanded its influence, playing an integral role in maintaining and developing the Stallbacka facility.
T-Engineering’s collaboration with AC Cars is just one of many initiatives that signal a renaissance for the region. With expertise in vehicle electronics, advanced powertrains, and safety systems, the company ensures that the AC Cobra will not only meet but exceed modern performance and safety expectations.
Klas Lundgren, CEO of T-Engineering, has expressed enthusiasm about the project, emphasizing that it’s not merely about production but about ensuring Trollhättan remains a global hub for automotive excellence. With the Legacy Test Track and the city’s growing industrial campus, new opportunities for automotive development, testing, and manufacturing are emerging.
What This Means for Trollhättan’s Automotive Future
The return of car production to Trollhättan is more than just symbolic—it’s a testament to the resilience of a city that has weathered the collapse of Saab and reinvented itself. With AC Cars setting up shop, it signals that Stallbacka’s automotive facilities remain relevant and capable of producing world-class vehicles.
Moreover, the Legacy Track’s revival ensures that the region continues to be a hub for performance testing and engineering advancements. As the Stallbacka industrial campus expands, it opens doors for future collaborations, technology development, and potential new entrants into Sweden’s automotive sector.
For automotive enthusiasts, the idea of AC Cobras tearing down the same roads that once saw Saab Turbos in their prime is a poetic continuation of Trollhättan’s automotive legacy. The spirit of Saab lives on, not in the form of turbocharged hatchbacks and sedans, but in the roar of V8 roadsters carving through the Swedish countryside.
A New Era for Stallbacka
While Saab production is unlikely to return, Trollhättan’s expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and testing lives on through T-Engineering and its partnerships. The arrival of AC Cars marks a fresh chapter in the city’s storied automotive history—one where handcrafted roadsters will roll off the same production lines that once assembled Saab’s finest creations.
For Saab enthusiasts, it’s reassuring to see the legacy of innovation, performance, and engineering excellence continuing in Trollhättan. And while we may never see a new Saab roll out of Stallbacka, the AC Cobra’s presence ensures that this historic facility remains a place where automotive dreams take shape.
