It’s electric
The electric car is a coming reality. The global requirement for a clean-air future and increasing hostility from legislators towards traditionally powered vehicles means the world’s car manufacturers are racing to replace existing models with electric equivalents.
Where Elon Musk’s Tesla has led, more established industry names have followed with offerings largely serving the volume end of the market. However in 2019 Lotus introduced the first British electric supercar offering, the Evija. At £170,000 it sprints to 60mph in under 3 seconds and hits a top speed of 200 mph. Early concerns about electric vehicle range have been overcome through collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering. The marque claims usable range of 250 miles and a sub-30 minute charging time.
In recent years there has been an explosion in the popularity and market values of classic cars. The question remains what will happen to them once internal combustion engine powered vehicles are legislated off the road? Lunaz Design, a company founded in Silverstone, England in 2018 is providing that answer.
The firm builds highly limited production runs of electrified pinnacle British classics. So far, the firm has developed electrified, restored, and re-engineered versions of the Jaguar XK120, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, Rolls-Royce Phantom V and the Bentley Continental family of cars.
“We believe in furthering the legacies of the most significant cars in the world. Electrification answers the questions of usability, reliability and sustainability that put so many off the joy of classic car ownership. These are cars that can be driven and enjoyed every day without concerns about breaking down or their impact.” Said David Lorenz, Founder, Lunaz Design.
Lunaz has built a team drawn from some of the most celebrated names in global car manufacturing and technology under the leadership of Formula 1 double-world championship winning technical director Jon Hilton. “We are really engaged in vital engineering. These cars are hugely significant and should be driven and enjoyed for many generations to come.”
Every car by Luanz represents more than a conversion. Each undergoes a full bare metal restoration to ensure the technical integrity of the vehicle. Cars are then converted to the firm’s proprietary electric powertrain and the very best modern conveniences are sensitively placed within the vehicle. This means you can drive a car as beautiful and evocative as the Jaguar XK120 but enjoyed all the benefits and usability provided by the new world including power steering, uprated suspension, modernized brakes and even a discreetly placed screen with Apple Car Play capabilities.
Lunaz’ offering extends to the greatest hospitality institutions in the world. Its eight-seat Rolls-Royce Phantom V, equipped with custom bar and a design scheme that is entirely tailored to the customers’ requirement is generating significant interest from some of the greatest hotels in the world. “When you think about the image of a car as imperious and iconic as 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V charging outside a landmark building in a global city – that institution is making a very strong and progressive statement. We are building cars that don’t just represent the very best evocation of their breed but they are also entirely sustainable, clean-air, up-cycled alternatives. This is really the perfect answer to the requirements of the times that we live in.” Said David Lorenz.
At the more modest end of the market, Jaguar now offer a pure electric car in its I-Pace SUV. It offers a 300-mile range and a futuristic, yet elegant interior, fit for an everyday car. Dubbed as more of a family vehicle, even with 4 adults in the car with a boot full of luggage, this model drives more like sports car than an SUV. Despite its recognisable class and superior performance, the Jaguar I-Pace has a modest price tag of roughly £65,000, making it difficult to ignore.
If you are interested in finding out more about the all-electric vehicles mentioned in this Insight, or would like to be put in touch with our contact at Lunaz Design, please get in touch with one of the Blend Group team.