Automotive

Lunaz 300-mile electric drive sparks new life into classic Rolls-Royces

Lunaz 300-mile electric drive sparks new life into classic Rolls-Royces
Lunaz repurposes the gas cap for the electric charging port on its electrified Rolls-Royces
Lunaz repurposes the gas cap for the electric charging port on its electrified Rolls-Royces
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Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
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Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
Beyond adding some key modern upgrades, Lunaz also restores the interior back to its original glory
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Beyond adding some key modern upgrades, Lunaz also restores the interior back to its original glory
Inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
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Inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
Lunaz repurposes the gas cap for the electric charging port on its electrified Rolls-Royces
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Lunaz repurposes the gas cap for the electric charging port on its electrified Rolls-Royces
Classic style, modern e-drive
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Classic style, modern e-drive
Looking at that huge piece of vintage automotive mass, we can't help but maintain some skepticism about the 300-mile range
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Looking at that huge piece of vintage automotive mass, we can't help but maintain some skepticism about the 300-mile range
Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
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Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
Lunaz plans to offer 30 converted Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Silver Clouds and also works with other classics, including Jaguars and Bentleys
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Lunaz plans to offer 30 converted Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Silver Clouds and also works with other classics, including Jaguars and Bentleys
Lunaz's extensive process includes more than just pulling out the engine, stripping each car dow
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Lunaz's extensive process includes more than just pulling out the engine, stripping each car down to bare metal and building it back up to retro-modern spec
Preparing to put in the electric hardware that makes it a Lunaz
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Preparing to put in the electric hardware that makes it a Lunaz
Lunaz's first Rolls-Royce is a chauffeur-driven limousine that holds up to eight people
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Lunaz's first Rolls-Royce is a chauffeur-driven limousine that holds up to eight people
We wonder what the owners will do with the old engine ...
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We wonder what the owners will do with the old engine ...
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To ensure that future generations never want for the timeless style of generations past, Lunaz has launched ahead with its all-electric Rolls-Royce restomods. Rarely are we surprised these days at classic cars electrified to modern-day standards, but the proposition of packing all-electric power below the hulking, voluptously-flanked bodies of 1960s-era Rolls-Royces was quite unexpected. The all-electric Rolls-Royce Phantom V is more than just a showpiece, packing enough power and range for practical on-road touring, whether driven by its owner or their personal chauffeur.

We saw a sneak peek of Lunaz's past-reviving electric future last October, and last week the company announced the official start of production on 30 planned fully electrified Rolls-Royce restomods. The models will include classic Phantoms and Silver Clouds in various body styles, from four-door limousines to drophead coupes.

Number one of 30 is a thoroughly modernized 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. The painstaking process behind this car, as well as all of Lunaz's builds, includes weighing each corner of the car to calculate a precise weight distribution, pulling out the old engine, transmission and accompany parts, 3D-scanning the vehicle in its entirety and stripping it down to the bare metal, then fully building back it back up with its all-new e-drive, throttle-by-wire and accompanying hardware and software, and carefully adding in other subtly integrated modern conveniences while restoring original parts.

Lunaz's extensive process includes more than just pulling out the engine, stripping each car dow
Lunaz's extensive process includes more than just pulling out the engine, stripping each car down to bare metal and building it back up to retro-modern spec

The Rolls-Royce Phantom V powertrain relies on a large 120-kWh battery pack to push the monstrous four-door eight-seater up to more than 300 miles (483 km) per charge, a figure we'd have to see confirmed a few times before viewing it without stern skepticism. When it does run out of battery power, the Phantom V can be recharged at home or country estate with rapid charging. The braking, suspension and steering hardware are all upgraded to create a properly cohesive ride befitting of an ultra-premium restomod.

Lunaz finishes the exterior off with a contemporary two-tone paint job. Splitting the "Midland" and "Cinereous" grays is a feature line hand-painted in a pink that ties in with the car phone specified by a previous owner for inside the rear passenger compartment. That phone has been restored and updated with the latest cellular and privacy encryption technology to move forward as a functional piece of automotive memorabilia.

Beyond adding some key modern upgrades, Lunaz also restores the interior back to its original glory
Beyond adding some key modern upgrades, Lunaz also restores the interior back to its original glory

The careful melding of period-correct and modern appointments continues thorough the coach doors. The company carefully restores the original wood trim and adds a smooth satin finish, accenting it with rose gold inlays. The switchgear up front has been repurposed for controlling the cutting-edge electric powertrain, and the instruments subtly updated for conveying battery information.

Lunaz adds in a modern infotainment system with navigation, along with dual-zone audio and modern climate control. Also included are two rear displays for passenger entertainment and a bar area custom-built around the client's preferred brand of tequila. The car seats up to eight people on front and rear benches and two occasional seats.

Lunaz plans to offer 30 converted Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Silver Clouds and also works with other classics, including Jaguars and Bentleys
Lunaz plans to offer 30 converted Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Silver Clouds and also works with other classics, including Jaguars and Bentleys

The Lunaz Rolls-Royce Phantom starts at £500,000 (approx. US$655,000), and Lunaz calls it the only purpose-built chauffeur-driven electric car in the world. For those who might need to spare a little expense on their electrified Rolls-Royces, the Silver Cloud starts at £350,000 (US$460,000) with a smaller 80-kWh battery pack that Lunaz labels with the same estimated ~300 miles of range.

Source: Lunaz

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3 comments
3 comments
-dphiBbydt
The joke in the EV conversions group years ago was that the a typical Rolls Royce owner would never need more than 200 miles of range because driving further would take such an intolerably long time that one would take one's helicopter instead.
nick101
Why not buy an old Rolls and do it yourself? You could even use cheap lead-acid batteries and bolt an electric motor directly to the differential. Save bazzilions!
Theodore41
@nick101 .
You are kidding for sure...