UK company Charge is planning to convert not 500, but 499, classic Mustangs into electric cars, appealing to cashed up “rev-heads” who really want to be “ev-heads”.
Using a stable of licenced 1960 fastback and convertible bodies, the custom automaker will “preserve the classic design and styling” but replace the throbbing V8 motor with either rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options for an output of 300kW, motor torque of 1200Nm and wheel torque of 7500Nm.
The motor output – which equates to about 402hp – will give even the most heavy-footed drivers a buzz, coming in at 130 more horsepower than the original Shelby GT350.
A 64kWh battery will replace the fuel tanks, and the whole drivetrain will produce acceleration from 0 to 100km/hr within 3.09 seconds – not quite as fast as the 1.9 seconds promised by Tesla CEO Musk for the upcoming Tesla Roadster, but perfectly acceptable.
With a top speed of 200km/hr, Charge says those interested in buying one of the 499 converted Mustangs will need to lay a cool £200,000 ($A350,000) on the table.
But will the converted classic cars win over dedicated Mustang enthusiasts?
Charge is promising to produce the cars with “luxury bespoke interiors” to “provide a modern high-end driving experience for connoisseurs of speed and technology,” along with a cutting edge digital interface to give buyers all the cool of the 1960 classic vehicle combined with the latest in automotive
Hard to tell, but for those who do, they will more than likely get a big bang for their buck – Charge’s engineer have also contributed to projects with racing carmakers such as Williams F1 and McLaren.
Reservations are now open, but be prepared – a cool £5,000 (almost $A9,000) will be needed to take the electric Mustang plunge.
Charge is planning test drive events from March 2019, across the US, Europe and Asia – but unfortunately for Aussie “evheads”, not Australia.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.