Retro-Car Electric Trends
Classic cars are a great way to turn heads. But they’re often unreliable and bad for the environment.
Electric conversions can give them a new lease of life while keeping them running safely and efficiently.
It’s a trend that’s growing in popularity, and there are a number of companies who specialize in converting vintage cars to electric power. Here are a few of them.
1. Garage Italia
Garage Italia is the brainchild of Lapo Elkann, a Milan-based entrepreneur who specializes in car customization. He has recently tapped Sergio Esposito as the new CEO of Garage Italia, a move that marks a transition in strategy for the company.
The firm is a one-of-a-kind creative hub that designs and customizes products for clients. Its mission is to create highly personalised products that bring joy and style back into cars, boats or wings. It also provides disruptive events and communication strategies.
This year, the firm has designed a couple of unique vehicles, including an Alfa Romeo 4C Hokusai and a BMW i8 Futurism Edition. They are on display at the Los Angeles Venus Gallery through September 10.
In an effort to blend the timeless appeal of vintage cars with today’s environmental concerns, Garage Italia has launched a project called Icon-e that converts classic Italian autos into electric vehicles. The program, which is aimed at clients with older vehicles that are in need of modern upgrades, was first unveiled in 2017.
One of the projects is a Fiat 500 Jolly, which is given a new lease on life through a conversion to electric power. The exterior and interior were reworked to incorporate a variety of modern flourishes.
For example, the bodywork has been treated with thermochromic varnish that changes color to reflect the temperature of the vehicle. In addition, the interior features hand-woven seats, a completely digital five-inch instrument panel and white gear levers.
Another project is a Fiat Spiaggina, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the original vintage car electric Spiaggina model, a small car that didn’t have a roof. This special model is a tribute to the car’s origins and was created in partnership with Pininfarina.
The interior of the car is completely reworked, featuring a nautical theme that evokes the ambiance of luxury yachts. The rear seats and cargo area were also overhauled to accommodate the new design. The car’s exterior is finished in a two-tone Volare Blue and Perla White.
Despite the fact that this is an expensive car, it’s worth checking out if you love the idea of owning a classic Fiat.
2. Voitures Extravert
Dutch company Voitures Extravert is bringing a new twist to the retro-car electric trend. The firm takes old Porsche 911s and retrofits them with electric powertrains.
Rather than tearing down the original cars, they strip them back to their individual components and rebuild from there. Then, they re-paint and protect the body, and install a modern electrical system and controls.
The result is a car that’s as much of an authentic classic as it is modern and usable. It’s called the Quintessenza, and it comes in two models: SE (sexy sixties) and TE (wide rear totally eighties).
Both of these vehicles feature a 58-kilowatt-hour battery pack that provides 250 miles of range. That’s enough to reach a 0-62mph time of less than six seconds and a top speed of 180kph, according to the manufacturer.
It also features a 50/50 front-rear weight distribution, and it’s fitted with upgraded brakes and dampers as well as convenience items like power steering and air conditioning.
As well as being a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional gasoline engines, an electric motor is also more economical to run daily. It only requires windshield washer fluid and tires for maintenance, and it’s backed by a five-year or 62,500-mile warranty.
Another benefit of an electric motor is that it costs far less to repair than a combustion engine, and there’s no risk of corrosion or fire. In addition, an EV has no emissions or harmful exhausts to deal with, making it a great option for environmentalists.
Finally, it has a five-year or 62,500-mile limited warranty that covers the entire car, including the batteries. That’s a pretty big deal, and one that will be of particular interest to many consumers as the government cracks down on carbon-emissions.
Despite its high price tag, the Quintessenza is worth considering for those interested in an electromoddish car that doesn’t sacrifice style. In fact, it’s probably the most authentic way to get a car that’s as close to its original as possible without compromising on modern technology.
3. Everrati
Everrati is a British automotive company that converts classic and iconic cars into electric vehicles. Its vehicles feature sustainable luxury materials like low-carbon leather from Bridge of Weir and custom-designed parts to update the cars while preserving their classic style.
The firm currently offers electric Range Rover Classic and Land Rover Defender conversions as well as an electric Porsche 911. Its vehicles are built in a factory in Oxford, England.
Its EV powertrains replace the car’s internal combustion engine and gearboxes, replacing them with OEM-standard regeneratively-charged EV batteries that provide an electric drive, up to 800 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. The company also installs a new, optimized layout for the battery and motors, optimizing weight distribution to reduce the vehicle’s center of gravity and improve handling.
Using its own bespoke in-house developed EV powertrain IP, Everrati’s vehicles offer exciting performance and thrilling regenerative driving capabilities for an affordable price. It also works with marque-specialist partners to develop custom-designed trim and gauges for each vehicle.
In addition to electric vehicles, Everrati also provides restoration services for classic and iconic vehicles that are in need of maintenance and repairs. It offers a range of services including bodywork repair and paintwork, engine overhauls, and re-engineering of the vehicle’s interior.
One of the best examples of its work is a one-off continuation Ford GT40 that the company has worked on in collaboration with Superformance LLC. Designed to replicate the experience of driving a Ford GT40 in 1966, the GT40 resto-mod will be equipped with a dual-motor, 800 bhp electric drivetrain that closely resembles the one used in the 964 Signature.
The company also partnered with Integral Powertrain to develop a dual radial flux permanent magnet electric motor to supply drive to the rear axle of the car. The company’s EV drivetrain also features regenerative braking that can be controlled through an app to make sure drivers get the most out of their vehicle’s performance and mileage.
In the future, Everrati plans to develop EV conversions for additional iconic vehicles, like the Ferrari F430 and BMW Z4 sDrive28i. These will be equipped with regenerative braking, a twin-motor electric drivetrain, and other EV-related features to ensure they’re as close to the original as possible.
4. Lunaz
The UK-based Lunaz aims to bring a classic car into the 21st century, but without compromising on style. The company outfits vintage cars with fully electric drivetrains and a whole load of modern conveniences to make them practical and fun.
The firm offers a range of electric classics including the Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero and Rolls-Royce Phantom V. The former, which has been undergoing final assembly at Lunaz’s Silverstone, England, headquarters, is priced from PS350,000 (plus local taxes).
Lorenz and Hilton say it is the “circular economy” philosophy behind their business that helps vintage car electric keep costs low. All of the work is done in house using the highest specification modules available.
Each vehicle is stripped down to bare metal ahead of a full restoration, and even imperceptible body defects are addressed by hand. The company’s engineers create CAD renders for every stage of the process, allowing technical perfection to be guaranteed.
To ensure the powertrain fits properly, each corner of the vehicle is weighed to understand its original weight distribution. This information guides decisions on chassis setup, powertrain packaging and suspension tuning.
Unlike other conversion companies, Lunaz makes every effort to retain as much of the car’s original character as possible. That includes switchgear and gauges that reflect the way they were in their original state.
Interiors are also restyled to include features that hark back to the period. For example, a double welt feature in Whisper with Argent Grey references contemporary pinstripe details.
On the other hand, some of the more modern conveniences are subtly integrated into the design, such as a satellite navigation system and split-audio for the driver and passengers to listen to their music in different settings. Climate control can be adapted to suit the needs of individual occupants, too.
Founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur David Lorenz and former Renault F1 technical director Jon Hilton, Lunaz has attracted investors from football star David Beckham to the Barclay family. The business’s rapid growth has seen it expand its workforce by 500 percent in the last year, to 120 employees.