► Bolt-in kit is fully reversable
► 160bhp, 460Ib ft, 150+ mile range
► Sensible or sacrilege?
Classic cars are great, or at least they are when they work. After all, for every sunny B road excursion there are hours of maintenance, frustration and the odd unplanned stop by the side of the road. If you’re not part of the boiler suit brigade and would rather drive than skin your knuckles, may we introduce the Electrogenic Jaguar E-Type, the electrically propelled classic.
Out goes the straight-six, manual ‘box, fuel tank and spare wheel, replaced with 43kWh of battery, an electric motor and all the gubbins needed to control and charge everything. Power is 160bhp with 460Ib ft of torque, enough for a sub-6.0-second 0-62mph time. Range is claimed to be 150 miles, with larger 48kWh and 63kWh packs providing 160 and 200+ mile ranges respectively.
All but the 63kWh pack undercuts the E-Type’s original weight, with the big battery matching an XK-engined car. CCS charging is standard, giving a full recharge in around 50 minutes should you decide to go touring.
Should you not fancy an E-Type, Electrogenic has plenty of experience with the Land Rover Defender, original Mini, Porsche 911 and Triumph Stag.
Kit cat
Electrogenic will sell you everything you need to electrify your E-Type in one kit. This is then fitted by an Electrogenic approved installer local to you, of which there are an increasing number across the globe.
Purists foaming at the mouth at the merest hint of losing originality should calm down at this point, everything bolts into the original mounts and the conversion is completely reversable.
Given that some owners will already have an ICE example of their electrified classic urinating oil onto the floor and refusing to start at inopportune times, it seems unlikely most will swap back any time soon.
Although you do lose the spare wheel, our 43kWh test car’s boot capacity was still generous. In fact, the only giveaways to the car’s propulsion system come when you lift the bonnet, look under the fuel flap or spot the lack of a gearlever.
Driving the electrified E-Type
Briskly, but with less initial urgency than you might expect. To protect the remaining Jaguar components in the driveline, there is a gentle ramp up in torque rather than all 460Ib ft being released in one go. The brakes feel natural despite some regen being mixed in, although still require a good shove.
Similarly, the steering requires some effort and isn’t particularly quick either, with the driving experience resolutely old school except for the electric propulsion. It certainly doesn’t feel heavy or badly balanced in bends, just like an old car with the smoothest engine and gearbox combo you’ve ever experienced.
Is it better than petrol? Objectively yes, after all it is quieter, more efficient, better for the environment and plenty quick enough. Yes, you can complain about the range, but who really drives their classic more than 150 miles in one hit regularly anyway?
Of course, you miss out on the tactility of a manual gearbox and the sound of a six or twelve-cylinder engine. However, it would seem prospective buyers aren’t too worried, or have this elsewhere in their collections.
Electrogenic Jaguar E-Type review: verdict
Whether or not the Electrogenic appeals to you is an entirely personal choice, but you can’t argue with the engineering here. Everything appears well thought out and well implemented, with the EV and E-Type meshing to make a well-finished and cohesive whole.
Those hoping for a car that drives in an entirely modern fashion should look elsewhere. Instead, this, conversion is like looking into an alternate reality in which electric was chosen over petrol in the early 20th century. If this combination of smooth, silent and dependable drivetrain with classic looks and handling appeals, the Electrogenic approach is worth investigating.
