UK electric vehicle conversion company Electrogenic has just released a drop-in EV conversion kit for the Porsche 911.
Called the E62 kit, it is designed to slot neatly into the existing architecture of the vehicle.
Because of this, the kit makes the electric conversion process entirely reversible – which should mollify those purists who object to EV conversions on the basis that converting a classic car destroys its originality.
With the ability to slot the original internal combustion engine (ICE) and associated components straight back in, owners of classic cars can now simply retain the ICE componentry after an electric conversion and hand these parts on to any future owner – offering the ability to return the car to its original propulsion form should a future owner wish to do so.
Electrogenic has been doing custom EV conversions for classic cars for some years prior to producing its new range of drop-in kits. (Presumably created in answer to the criticism that they are damaging the originality of a classic when doing a custom conversion involving modification of the vehicle structure and wiring loom!).
As part of the release announcement it has shown off its first 911 conversion: a 1985 ‘Irish Green’ Porsche 911. Originally a 1985 G-Body, it has been ‘backdated’ by the owner to evoke the iconic 2.7 RS version of the early 70s.
The E62 kit features a 160kW water-cooled motor that sends power to the rear wheels via a single-speed, fixed ratio transmission. Zero to 100km/h with the conversion is done in a shade under 5 seconds – which is comparable (if not a shade faster) than the original donor 1985 ICE version.
With 62kWh of battery, Electrogenic state the driving range as being in the vicinity of 300km. The kit also includes CCS DC charging as standard, with a full charge using a DC charger taking around 50 minutes.
For those wanting even more performance for their electrified 911 conversion, Electrogenic also offer an E62s kit featuring a more powerful 240kW motor. With the E62s kit, the 0 to 100km/h time drops to just 3.8 sec.
Overall, the EV conversion adds only 100kg to the weight of the original ICE version and, to keep the weight low and the vehicle well balanced the batteries slot in at the font (where the fuel tank was located) and within the engine bay – improving weight distribution as compared to the standard car.
The system includes optimised Eco, Sport and Traffic profiles, along with energy-recouping regenerative braking (‘regen’) for the brakes and throttle.
The settings of these can also be tailored to an owner’s specific requirements. Along with this, the original instruments have been repurposed to display alternative EV information such as range and charge speeds plus the cabin heating has been changed to a discreetly installed electric heater.
Steve Drummond, Co-Founder, Electrogenic, says the ‘plug-and-play’ kits have been designed to breathe new life into iconic, much-loved models, “so it feels appropriate that the first kit-equipped car to be delivered is a Porsche 911 – the most iconic, revered sports car of them all.”
The Porsche 911 conversion kit is just one option from the firm’s new ‘drop-in’ kit range. It also now offers EV powertrain solutions for the Land Rover, Jaguar E-Type and Triumph Stag.
For further information – see https://www.electrogenic.co.uk/conversion-kits
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.