Connect with us

Published

on

EV conversion specialist Lunaz Design has debuted an all-electric version of a 1961 Bentley S2 Continental – one of the rarest classic luxury cars on the planet. The company explains that only four examples of this particular car were built, and having the Bentley upcycled as an EV truly makes it one of a kind without compromising its classic design, both inside and out. Have a look.

Lunaz Design is an electric conversion specialist founded in 2018 and headquartered in Silverstone, England. That’s where the company engineers and manufactures its own proprietary electric powertrain technology purposefully designed with the modularity in mind to be implemented across a wide range of classic cars – upcycling them for an all-electric second life.

Its current lineup of electric conversions includes the Aston Martin DB6, Jaguar XK, and an all-electric Rolls-Royce Phantom. These conversions begin with a full restoration from the ground up, reconfiguring each combustion vehicle’s chassis to support electrification while still maintaining ideal weight distribution and suspension.

Inside each converted EV, Lunaz’s in-house design team upcycles and restores the vehicle’s textiles and trim while integrating modern-day conveniences like satellite telecommunications, Wi-Fi, infotainment, and navigation.

In 2021, Lunaz announced it would be adding electric versions of classic Range Rovers and began taking orders. Demand was immediately so tremendous that commissions of said conversions now make up 45% of the company’s production schedule.

Today, Lunaz Design is showcasing another EV conversion of a British classic with a truly one of a kind Bentley S2 Continental, converted for one very lucky customer.

  • Bentley EV
  • Bentley EV

Lunaz’s Bentley EV makes an ultrarare car more unique

Lunaz Design revealed the EV conversion of the Bentley S2 Continental today as a one-off build for a specific customer who managed to acquire the two-door saloon. According to the company, only four units of this 1961 sedan were ever produced.

In its original form, the vehicle was powered by the L Series V8 engine from Bentley and Rolls-Royce, which helped newer technologies function at the time, like power steering and air conditioning. Now, Lunaz Design has taken this ultrarare Bentley S2 Continental and converted it to an EV in the UK. Company founder, David Lorenz, spoke to the design process of such a unique build:

This magnificent Bentley S2 Continental was already an exceptional motor car, as one of just a few examples of its type that remain in the world. In its new guise, it’s the rarest vehicle ever to be converted to fully electric propulsion, and the most exclusive project we’ve ever undertaken at Lunaz Design: it’s literally one of a kind. This car is also a further demonstration of our proven upcycling process and technologies, developed entirely in-house at our Silverstone facility, which are fast becoming the de facto gold standard for electrification projects involving the world’s most prestigious marques.

Like all of Lunaz’s EV conversions, the Bentley was stripped down to bare metal and returned to like-new condition. Anything that cannot be restored and reused is recycled. Lunaz also carefully removed the vehicle’s internal combustion engine and associated systems, replacing them with its own fully electric powertrain.

The result is a shiny new Bentley S2 Continental EV equipped with a 400 bhp powertrain that delivers 530 lb-ft of torque and accelerates 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. Inside, the Bentley was restored to maintain its luxurious design but with a much higher percentage of sustainable materials, such as carpets made from 100% regenerated nylon and backing made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

While this particular model will by no means be an EV conversion sold regularly by Lunaz, the custom Bentley S2 Continental shows further evidence than nearly any vehicle can successfully be reborn electric while maintaining its classic design – no matter how old it is.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Here’s our first official look at the new Hyundai EV debuting next month [Images]

Published

on

By

Here's our first official look at the new Hyundai EV debuting next month [Images]

Is it the IONIQ 2 or 3? We are finally getting our first official look at the new Hyundai EV that will debut at next month’s Munich Motor Show. Take a look at the images below.

Hyundai offers a first look at its new EV

Rumors of a new entry-level Hyundai have been spreading like wildfire over the past few months. After a few prototypes have been spotted out in public testing, some claim it’s the IONIQ 2, while others say it will be called the IONIQ 2.

Either way, the new model is almost here, and it sounds like it could shake things up. Hyundai dropped the first official images of the new EV on Tuesday, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

Although it’s just a teaser, the images reveal a few new design elements that will be showcased. The rear spoiler appears to be roughly the same shape and size as the updated IONIQ 6, which is likely to feature a full-length LED light bar.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The teaser comes after several test vehicles have been spotted recently, displaying a similar, upright, more SUV-like style reminiscent of the Kia EV2 concept.

Like its other IONIQ models and the Kia EV series, Hyundai’s new concept is likely to be based on its advanced E-GMP platform. It’s expected to fill the gap between the Inster EV and Kona Electric in Hyundai’s electric car lineup.

The interior is expected to be a step up from Hyundai’s current vehicles with a new infotainment system. Powered by its advanced new Pleos OS, the system will feel more like a smartphone.

Hyundai IONIQ 2 or IONIQ 3 EV spotted testing in Europe (Source: CarSpyMedia)

Hyundai has yet to announce prices, range, and other final specs. However, since the Kona Electric starts at £34,995 ($47,000) in the UK, it will likely be priced closer to £25,000 ($33,700), like the Kia EV2.

Similar to the Kia EV3, Hyundai’s new electric car will likely be offered with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs. The former provides a WLTP range of 260 miles, while the latter is rated with a range of 365 miles on a single charge.

Hyundai-new-EV-first-look
Hyundai’s next-gen infotainment system powered by Pleos (Source: Hyundai)

The new Hyundai EV will make its global debut at the Munich Motor Show in Germany, from September 9 through September 14.

Kia’s EV3 is already the most popular retail electric vehicle in the UK through the first half of 2025. Will Hyundai match it with the new model?

Hyundai will reveal two new sets of images over the next week, so be sure to check back for the latest updates.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Tesla Model Y is already feeling the pressure of Xiaomi’s YU7

Published

on

By

Tesla Model Y is already feeling the pressure of Xiaomi's YU7

The Tesla Model Y has long been a dominant force in the EV world. It is the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, and it briefly became the best-selling car globally.

But it is being seriously challenged. In China, the Model Y is already feeling the impact of Xiaomi’s YU7.

Xiaomi wasn’t shy about positioning the YU7 against the Model Y when it unveiled the vehicle earlier this year.

The Chinese electronic giant turned EV manufacturer compared virtually every spec and price to Tesla’s best-selling EV, and it wasn’t surprising since the YU7 compares extremely favorably to Tesla’s refreshed Model Y.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The company announced that it aims to outsell the Model Y, and it made a strong start with more than 200,000 pre-orders within minutes of unveiling the vehicle.

The impact of the YU7 has already been felt throughout the Chinese EV market, as many buyers are expected to wait more than a year for the vehicle due to the backlog of orders, and Xiaomi still needs to ramp up production.

Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s CEO, is so unworried about demand that he even recommended people order from competitors due to the size of the YU7 backlog.

Despite being only two months into the start of YU7 deliveries, the vehicle appears to already be putting pressure on the Model Y.

New insurance data shows Model Y versus YU7 deliveries over the last 3 months (via ThinkerCar):

The sheer volume of YU7 pre-orders disrupted the entire small EV SUV market in China, but it has settled back after it became clear that someone placing a new order wouldn’t get the vehicle until next year.

Nonetheless, as deliveries ramped up to over 3,000 units per week over the last two weeks, Tesla’s deliveries are going down and they are still far off their highs.

It is increasingly looking like the YU7 will have a similar impact on the Model Y as Xiaomi’s SU7 had on the Model 3.

Over the last year, the SU7, Xiaomi’s first EV, has been consistently outselling the Model 3. Earlier this month, there was hope that Model 3 was making a comeback, but it looks like it is already back to normal:

Tesla’s sales are down 6% year-to-date in China based on registration data.

Electrek’s Take

China is the most interesting EV market because it is by far the most competitive one. That’s because Chinese automakers are not penalized there like they are in other markets.

Furthermore, Tesla can’t complain since it basically got the same deal as Chinese automakers with its Gigafactory Shanghai in the free trade zone.

For the last 5 years, the American automaker enjoyed some dominance in the Chinese market, but now local companies have caught up and Xiaomi is one of the best examples.

The impact of the SU7 on Model 3 is undeniable.

It’s still early to see the impact of the YU7, but it appears to be happening already. It is also cannibalizing SU7 sales.

If this trend continues, it appears that YU7 will outsell Model Y by the end of the year – although I would expect Tesla to start cutting prices before then, likely with the new stripped-down Model Y, which should delay YU7 becoming the sales leader into next year.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

BYD’s Ferrari-slaying electric supercar shatters the EV speed record at nearly 300 mph

Published

on

By

BYD's Ferrari-slaying electric supercar shatters the EV speed record at nearly 300 mph

The Yangwang U9 is an EV powerhouse, packing four electric motors and a whopping 1,300 horsepower, but the new Track Edition model takes it to the next level. After reaching nearly 300 mph, BYD’s Yangwang U9 set a new global EV speed record.

BYD Yangwang U9 sets a new global EV speed record

BYD launched the U9 in February, its first electric supercar and the second vehicle under its ultra-luxury Yangwang brand.

The Yangwang U9 made an explosive debut, showcasing its dance moves, jumping capabilities, and sleek sports car design.

Earlier this month, we learned BYD was developing a new Yangwang U9 Track Edition model, packing a monstrous over 3,000 hp (2,20 kW). The standard U9 already features four advanced electric motors, providing a combined power of nearly 1,300 hp.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The souped-up variant has already set a global record, and it’s not even out yet. BYD announced on Tuesday that a Yangwang U9 Track Edition test vehicle broke the world EV speed record after reaching a ridiculous 472.41 km/h, or about 293 mph.

BYD-EV-speed-record
BYD’s Yangwang U9 electric supercar at 2024 GoodwoodFOS (Source: Yangwang)

The achievement was certified at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany, beating the old EV speed record by over 20%.

BYD said that this “marks the first time a Chinese domestic brand has achieved a world record in this field.” Not only does it mark a massive leap forward for the Chinese auto industry, but it also marks a significant milestone for electric vehicles as a whole.

The Yangwang U9 starts at 1,680,000 yuan in China, or about $233,000. That’s around half the cost of a new Ferrari SF90 Stradale or Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

BYD’s Yangwang U9 is faster and even more affordable than most internal combustion engine (ICE) supercars. And the interior features “the smartest supercar cockpit,” BYD claims, powered by its advanced DiLink infotainment system. Which one are you taking?

You can see how fast BYD’s electric supercar really goes in its record-setting run in the video above. We should learn more about the new Yangwang U9 Track Edition model soon. Check back for the latest.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending