If you’ve not heard of it earlier than, Lunaz Design is an EV-conversion firm based mostly close to Silverstone within the UK. The store will soak up your traditional automotive, pack it filled with batteries and ship you out onto the highway in a automotive you possibly can fortunately drive in Central London with out attracting the wrath of its new Ultra Low Emission Zone charges.
Previously, the corporate showcased its tech by changing previous Aston Martins, Range Rovers and Rolls Royces to run on battery energy, they usually all look mighty unbelievable after the overhaul. Now, it’s taken its electrical knowhow to an extremely uncommon previous Bentley, particularly a Bentley S2 Continental.
The 1961 Bentley utilized by Lunaz for the conversion is certainly one of simply 4 examples constructed. According to Lunaz, the automotive’s authentic proprietor initially ordered a four-door mannequin to be assembled by London coachbuilder James Young, on a rolling chassis provided by Bentley. But, that four-door mannequin by no means materialized, and as an alternative the purchaser ended up with the coupe you see right here.
In the years because it was completed, the automotive handed by means of varied homeowners throughout international locations together with Germany and Japan. Then, it was returned to the UK the place it was ripped aside.
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Lunaz eliminated all of the unique V8 motor and its parts, and changed them with an all-electric powertrain. The setup includes battery cells, inverters and motors which have all been created to the corporate’s specs. This, coupled with its modular design, implies that engineers had been capable of customise the powertrain to the getting older Bentley’s wants. Now, this 1961 Bentley produces 405 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque. Because of all that grunt, the S2 Continental will hit 62 mph in 6.9 seconds.
Lunaz has additionally up to date the suspension, becoming fully-adjustable coil-spring suspension with a lever arm damper. There can also be a set of six-piston brake calipers up entrance and four-piston brakes on the rear.
But, Lunaz has executed extra than simply replace the automotive’s interior workings. On the skin, Lunaz stripped the physique again to reveal steel, earlier than restoring its panel work with “traditional coachbuilding and restoration techniques” based on the corporate. Inside, the automotive is now full of sustainable supplies like 100% regenerated nylon fiber and materials constructed from recycled plastic bottles.
Now, for the huge query: Does becoming a classic Bentley with a powertrain resembling this imply it’s going to truly be pushed? That can be good, wouldn’t it?
Source: jalopnik.com