A Mercedes-Benz SL “Pagoda” converted into an electric vehicle
The universe of restomods continues to be in full swing, especially in the world of the well-heeled. Another trend has just appeared and is also starting to take off: it is the conversion of an iconic classic model into an electric vehicle.
Pierre Michaud had also seized this fashion as part of the Crinqué series with his Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz powered by Tesla mechanics. Now the British preparer Everrati well known for its controversial projects, has just unveiled a Mercedes-Benz SL “Pagoda” transformed into a battery-powered vehicle. A good idea in your opinion?
Convert icons
On its website, Everrati prides itself on the fact that it electrifies icons. You can then see classic models of all kinds, such as an old Porsche 911, an old Land Rover Range Rover and even a Ford GT40, all converted into electric vehicles.
If the art of tearing out the thermal mechanics of a classic and replacing it with a battery and electric motors offends certain collectors, Everrati takes the time to emphasize in its press releases that it is only responding to a growing demand for this kind of projects.
“We are seeing very strong demand for zero-emission vehicles that retain the style, character and unique driving experience of classic vehicles. This is a new era in the world of collector vehicles” — says the company’s CEO, Mr. Justin Lunny.
This SL “Pagoda” – better known to purists by its code name W113 – which was produced between 1963 and 1971, attempts, despite its electrical mechanics, not to deviate from the original concept. In reality, unless you are a connoisseur, it is completely impossible to guess that it is an electric vehicle, apart from the total absence of an exhaust pipe. Even its charging port is located at the rear of the car, to the right of the license plate where we used to fill up with fuel.
Meticulously restored by hand and personalized according to the requests of its buyer, this electric Mercedes-Benz SL ensures to preserve all the style elements that are specific to a Pagoda. Even the classic analog dials have remained intact in order to give the vehicle maximum originality. It should be noted that the donor model is a 280 SL from the 1967 model year.
Much more powerful than the original model, but not faster
As for its technical characteristics, we are dealing with a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery whose usable capacity is 68 kilowatt hours. It powers a single electric motor installed on the rear axle whose power is estimated at 300 horsepower and torque at 221 pound-feet.
Indeed, these figures are significantly higher than those of the original model which, thanks to a 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine, only developed 168 horsepower and produced only 180 pound-feet of torque. However, it is interesting to note that, despite its extra power and torque, the electric version is not necessarily faster. According to Everrati, the sprint from 0 to 96 kilometers/hour is completed within the same 7 seconds as its ancestor. Ditto for the top speed of 200 kilometers/hour. In fact, the battery increases the net mass of the car!
What do you think of these electric conversions of classic models? Do you believe that this is sacrilege, and that the icons deserve to preserve their old mechanics, or that it is better to modernize them so that they better fit with today’s realities?
