Juiced Up: 1961 Bentley Continental EV Conversion
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Juiced Up: 1961 Bentley Continental EV

This One-of-a-Kind Bentley Conversion is the World’s Rarest EV

One of only four ’61 Bentley S2 Continental coupes built, this EV conversion is one of the rarest you’re ever likely to see.

The story behind this incredibly unique Bentley begins back in 1960, when the car’s original owner placed an ordered for a four-door Flying Spur at London coachbuilders’ James Young, on a rolling chassis that was to be supplied by Bentley. For whatever reason, that car never materialized — and what the buyer got, instead, was this coupe — which Lunaz says is one of only four such S2 Continental ever built. (!?)

Despite its rarity, the car bounced around several owners and across several continents before coming “back home” to the UK for its return to former glory — a fact the team at Lunaz is proud of. “The Lunaz solution takes cars that are under threat and gives them new purpose,” explains Jon Hilton, Lunaz’ Managing Director & Technical Lead. “Our cars embody the spirit of the original. They are peerless in their performance and effortless in their day-to-day use. To breathe new life into these timeless masterpieces represents vital engineering in the purest sense.”

Lunaz disassembled the entire original V8 engine and all of its parts, replacing them with an entirely electric drivetrain. The system is made up of motors, inverters, and battery cells that were all made to the company’s specifications. Engineers were able to adapt the powertrain to the needs of the outdated Bentley because to this and its modular architecture. Now, this 1961 Bentley has 530 lb-ft of torque and 405 all-electric horsepower, enough to get the car to get to 62 MPH in 6.9 seconds in total silence and “magic carpet ride” levels of shift-free smoothness.

At the rear, Lunaz’ crew installed a fully adjustable coil-spring suspension with a lever arm damper. Additionally, there are four-piston brakes at the back and six-piston brake calipers up front.

And, while this car is strictly a one-off, Lunaz can offer a similar level of design and execution competence on your classic Rolls or Bentley, as well, with a custom palette of interior and exterior paint, leather, and wood trim choices to suit and taste … if not any budget.

“The Lunaz color palette represents a balanced spectrum of choices, created with full consideration for the form and spirit of the car,” reads the official copy. “We bring beautiful lines to life through a blend of cutting edge pigment technology and the curatorial eye of the designer … The exterior palette is complemented by an extensive library of material treatments and colorways. A Lunaz interior does not have to be specified in traditional leather. Indeed, we are proud to pioneer new approaches to interior luxury design by unlocking the potential that each material can offer.”

If that sounds expensive, you might be right! We couldn’t find any sort of pricing menu to spec out your own electric Bentley anywhere on the site. But of course, if you have to ask …

Lunaz One-off Electric Bentley

SOURCE | IMAGES: LUNAZ, VIA JALOPNIK.

FTC: We use income-earning auto affiliate links. Learn more.

AUTHOR: 

JO BORRAS

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