Electric Classic Car Manufacturer RBW Unveils EV Roadster

Electrification is a great way to keep classic cars on the road without worrying about emissions taxes or low- or zero-emission zones. Many owners have emotional bonds with their historic vehicles, and an electric conversion can prolong these connections.

Working out of a garage under railway arch in Vauxhall, Lunaz has converted everything from a Porsche 911 to a Volkswagen Beetle. It also sells kits to do the job yourself.

RBW ELECTRIC CLASSIC CARS

The RBW Electric Classic Cars bring together classic car craftsmanship with cutting-edge electric-driven 21st century technologies. They are engineered Electric Classic Car manufacturer & developed to the highest standards with race-winning EV engineering and proven reliability. RBW’s bespoke designs have been meticulously planned & tested at MIRA – a world class testing facility in the heart of England.

The Midlands-based company has unveiled a pre-production model of an electrified MGB Roadster, which takes the iconic British sports car and updates it for a world that isn’t quite as welcoming to combustion engines as it once was. A patented power drivetrain system that’s been three years in development sits beneath a new heritage body shell supplied by British Motor Heritage, while a rear-mounted 70kW electric motor and six of Hyperdrive Innovation’s lithium-ion batteries supply the necessary thrust.

Inside, buyers will find a cabin designed by trim specialists Prototrim. It features leather upholstery in a choice of colours, electric windows and Pioneer’s Flagship Wi-Fi enabled high-end built-in navigation AV system with a large motorised 7-inch 24 bit True Colour Capacitive multi-touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay wireless, Android Auto, Waze, Dual USB inputs and HDMI to mirror smart phones.

A range of battery pack options are available, and RBW can also provide a full-on custom build service, which would allow owners to choose a specific motor / battery combination that fits the car perfectly, while still remaining within budget. And while these conversions certainly aren’t cheap, increased adoption should help bring costs down over time.

RBW ELECTRIC CAR SYSTEMS

The automotive future previewed in the 1995 film Gattaca – where classic cars from the ’60s whoosh around almost silently, making only cool electronic noises – is now one step closer thanks to Staffordshire-based historic vehicle firm, RBW. The company has unveiled an electric version of its MGB-inspired roadster.

RBW says that it’s not simply an EV conversion, but a new car built from the ground up using a reproduction MGB bodyshell. The resulting car has a peak power output of 70kW, meaning that it can accelerate to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds and can travel for up to 310km on a single charge.

In the interior, the multi-function dashboard displays combines driver gauges with safety diagnostic symbols. The car also features a Pioneer flagship Wi-Fi enabled, high-end built-in navigation system with a motorized seven-inch multi-touchscreen, HDMI input for mirroring smartphones, SD Card input, dual USB inputs and gold-plated RCA connectors to provide the best audio quality possible.

RBW has sold nine customer cars to date and plans to ramp up production to 100 units by 2023. Electric Classic Car manufacturer A fixed head GT version and a second EV recreation are already in the works. Prices start at PS90,000.

RBW ELECTRIC CAR DESIGN

Electric Classic Car manufacturer RBW has unveiled its first model – an EV Roadster that pays homage to a beloved old British motor. The Staffordshire-based firm’s car can go from 0-60 in nine seconds and has a range of up to 160 miles on a single charge. The company is also working on a fixed-roof GT version of the car.

Unlike many companies that convert existing cars into EVs, RBW has designed a complete platform for its vehicles. This includes a new suspension system that uses coilovers, as well as a custom powertrain and regenerative braking. The entire vehicle has passed stringent testing at MIRA, a world-class facility in the UK.

The RBW EV Roadster is inspired by the iconic MGB sports cars of the 1960s. It combines classic sports car design with a patented electric drivetrain system that’s been three years in the making. The drivetrain was developed by a team of engineers from Shenstone, Staffordshire, and the Netherlands. The team also collaborated with Continental Engineering Services and Zytek Automotive, both divisions of the German automotive supplier. The latter provides the world championship winning technology that’s used in Formula E racing cars.

RBW founder Peter Swain says that the company’s goal is to preserve classic car designs for the future. The RBW MGB recreation and the upcoming Jaguar XKSS recreation are examples of this. The company’s technology is modular and could be fitted to other body shells, including the Mini, Austin Healey Sprite, and Jaguar E-Type.

RBW ELECTRIC CAR TECHNOLOGY

A bespoke infotainment system by Pioneer AVIC-Z920DAB takes pride of place in the dashboard, and it’s fitted with dual USB ports to allow owners to power up their smartphones or tablets. It also includes HDMI input for mirroring, and a navigation setup. A chrome-and-wood steering wheel fronts a conventional instrument cluster, and there’s an option for electric power windows.

The RBW EV Roadster’s chassis is built by Hyperdrive Innovation, and it uses an electric motor mounted in the rear to drive the wheels. The company says this improves weight distribution to 50-50, enhances handling, and allows for a larger battery pack. The Roadster can be powered by a single or double-motor configuration with 6, 7, or 8 batteries, with a range claimed to be up to 200 miles.

RBW’s team of engineers has also worked with specialists in braking and suspension to develop an EV platform that can be used under classic bodyshells like the Jaguar E-Type or Austin Healey. The company already offers a Jag E-Type conversion, and it’s planning an MGB GT hardtop and fixed head version.

The RBW EV Roadster starts at PS90,000 and can be ordered with a number of options including 14 exterior paints, six alloy wheel designs, and five interior colours. Buyers can even get their vehicle customised with an optional roof, available in three different styles. The Roadster is a stylish, British-built EV that might convince some diehard traditionalists to switch over to clean motoring.