It’s all the idea of a Midlands company called RBW, a classic car restoration business that with technical help from some big names – Zytek and Continental – has formed RBW Electric Classic Cars. Its mission is to make electric cars inspired by British classics in runs of about 30 cars.
As well as the B roadster seen here, RBW will do you an electric MGB GT hardtop, an E-type or Austin-Healey, and they say there’s an electric Mini coming next year.
“Each car can be built to the clients’ personal specification and requirements,” RBW managing director Peter Swain tells us. “The opportunities are endless and therefore safeguard the future of classic motoring.”
The modular electric drivetrain, with batteries up front and a single 93PS (70kW) motor behind, is said to have been three years in development and is the result of a collaboration with Continental AG, which provides technology for Formula E.
A stack of lithium-ion batteries under the bonnet is sufficient to provide a range of 160 miles, claims RBW, while an optional extra battery can up that to 200 miles. Charging takes eight hours.