Retro heaven: global explosion of electric classic cars
Another week, another batch of electrified classic car conversions to showcase.
From an Alfa Romeo GTA to an MGB Roadster to a Fiat 126, it’s apparent zero-emission battery-powered classics are snowballing in popularity around the world.
We recently profiled Brisbane’s Traction EV and its electrified VW Beetle, VW Kombi and Nissan R31 Skyline, while companies around the globe have given electric power to, among others, a Ford Mustang, AC Cobra and 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V.
Major manufacturers have jumped on board too. Jaguar produced its E-Type Zero while Aston Martin Works slung an electric drivetrain into a 1970 DB6 Volante.
For ones you can actually buy, England’s RBW Electric Classic Cars has revealed its pre-production model of an electrified 1960s MGB Roadster.
It uses a brand new heritage body shell from British Motor Heritage, while power comes from a rear-mounted 70kW electric motor and six Hyperdrive Innovation’s lithium-ion batteries under the bonnet.
Power offered is just 70kW, but RBW says its MGB has a top speed of almost 130km/h and 0-100km/h time in around nine seconds. In other words, it’d easily smoke (or whatever the electric equivalent is) a genuine petrol-engined version.
Its batteries allow a range of 260-kilometres between charges, but this can be increased to 320-kilometres with a seventh battery. An eight battery option is possible for those still suffering range anxiety.
Soft and hard top versions will be available, while cabins maintain a leathery original look, albeit with a touchscreen and sat nav in the dashboard.
Production of the first 30 examples are expected to begin in early 2021, but don’t reckon they’ll come cheap. The UK price is £90,000 plus taxes, or $165,000 in our money.
Electrified Alfa
For decades Alfa Romeo and electrics have been the butt of jokes for the wrong reasons, but an electrified restomod Alfa Giulia GT could easily win us over.
Italy’s Totem Automobili has created its prototype GT Electric, based on a 1960s Alfa Giulia GT and inspired by wide-body racing GTA versions of the period.
Only pre-production photos have been released by Totem, but Italy’s Al Volante magazine has published pictures online of a complete version, resplendent in deep blue paint with dark tan interior.
Figures sound almost as good as it looks. A rear-mounted electric motor is apparently good for 373kW, while the battery pack is large enough to allow 400-kilometres range. Speed? Totem suggests a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4-seconds.
Helping keep weight down is a predominately aluminium chassis and almost completely carbon fibre body (doesn’t a non-rusting Alfa remove a key element of the pure ownership experience?!), while the familiar Alfa face is gifted round LED headlights and rally-inspired lights. Forged 17-inch alloy wheels look perfectly in keeping with Alfa’s motorsport offerings of the era.
Thought the MG was pricey? Totem will apparently create a limited edition of 20 GT Electrics, starting from 430,000 Euros ($700,000 ) a pop. Deliveries are slated for 2022.
Icon rebirthed
There may not yet be a physical version of this final retro electric treat, but it’s too beautiful not to share.
Italy’s MA-DE Studio, based in Como, an hour north of Milan, has rendered a modern, electric version of the tiny 1972 Fiat 126 rear-engined city car.
MA-DE Studio said “the classic car transforms into an all-electric vehicle. The concept re-imagines the Fiat 126 as a green car, but keeps every detail that made the model so beloved intact.”
Pictures of the modern version – which doesn’t look too dissimilar in style and dimensions to the new Honda E city car – will hopefully serve as retro inspiration for Fiat to take on board.
