Lunaz Design has unveiled the rarest traditional automotive ever to be reworked to completely electrical energy. Courting from 1961, this particular Bentley S2 Continental is one among solely 4 examples constructed. In its authentic specification, it was powered by a 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine.
At the moment, now utterly restored and reimagined, it’s geared up with Lunaz’s in-house designed proprietary modular electrical powertrain, which includes high-grade Tier 1 OEM battery cells and motors.
The newest in a sequence of luxurious traditional vehicles to bear the corporate’s confirmed upcycling course of at its facility in Silverstone, UK, earlier tasks embrace fashions from well-known names together with Aston Martin, Jaguar, Vary Rover and Rolls-Royce.
Bentley S2 Continental
This particular instance was in-built 1961. In interval, a small variety of luxurious automotive our bodies have been nonetheless being produced by impartial coachbuilders to the shopper’s specification, on a ‘rolling chassis’ provided by Bentley or an different producer. In accordance with the construct sheets, the primary proprietor initially commissioned a four-door physique from main London coachbuilder James Younger; however he evidently had a change of coronary heart on the final minute, since analysis reveals the automotive has solely ever existed in its current two-door type.
In 1967, the automotive modified palms for the primary time. Over the many years that adopted, it could reside with numerous house owners as far afield as Germany and Japan earlier than returning to the UK. The Bentley Continental was all the time the rarest S2 variant – the Commonplace and Lengthy Wheelbase variations represented greater than 80% of the full quantity produced – and right now, this particular automotive is one among solely a handful left on the earth.
All Bentley S2 variants have been powered by the then-new ‘L’ Sequence 6.2-litre V8 engine, constructed from aluminium alloy for an improved power-to-weight ratio. This ensured the engine might maintain the ability calls for of computerized transmission, energy steering and air con with no lack of efficiency.
The Lunaz upcycling course of
Present process the identical upcycling course of confirmed on a variety of uncommon, high-value luxurious vehicles over the previous 4 years. The result’s a Concours-standard car that meets Lunaz’s three key necessities for an upcycled electrical car: usability, reliability and sustainability.
It begins with an in depth inspection and evaluation to find out the chassis, powertrain, and suspension configurations. Lunaz Design’s engineers use 3D scanning to create detailed Laptop Aided Design (CAD) fashions as the premise for any renovation and reconstruction work required.
The automotive physique is then stripped right down to a naked steel shell and returned to as-new situation utilizing conventional coachbuilding and restoration methods. Any exterior and inside supplies are repaired and recoated: something that may’t be reused, right down to the nylon within the seatbelt twine, is recycled.
The interior combustion engine and its related methods, lubricants and different fluids are rigorously eliminated and reclaimed, then changed with Lunaz’s proprietary fully-electric powertrain. The modular design, developed totally in-house, permits engineers to regulate particular person elements to completely mirror the automotive’s innate character, and the proprietor’s private preferences. The battery cells, inverters and motors are all authentic gear made to Lunaz’s specification by European Tier 1 suppliers, as utilized by OEM carmakers.
Different very important methods, together with brakes, steering, suspension and electrics, are all given Lunaz Design’s full modernisation therapy to convey them into line with the dynamic expectations of the shopper in addition to present security requirements.
As specified by the consumer, the totally electrical Bentley S2 Continental is now geared up with a clean-air 400 bhp powertrain, producing 530 lb-ft of torque. 0-62 mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. To make sure dealing with functionality according to modern requirements, suspension is uprated to a completely adjustable coil-spring suspension with a lever arm damper. That is configurable electronically from the cabin of the automotive. Likewise, its brakes, which additionally incorporate a battery regeneration system, have been upgraded to six-piston calipers within the entrance and four-piston variants within the rear.
Sustainable luxurious inside
In its new incarnation, the Bentley retains its luxurious character; however consistent with its zero-emission powertrain and Lunaz Design’s tradition of upcycling, the inside now incorporates a a lot increased proportion of sustainable supplies than the unique.
All seat leather-based is constructed from hides tanned utilizing naturally-fallen olive leaves, the carpet within the entrance and rear cabins and boot is constructed from 100% regenerated nylon fibre and incorporates a backing constructed from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Equally, all of the wooden veneers used on the dashboard and different areas are from sustainable sources, licensed by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).
[supply: Lunaz Design]
