The electrification of classic cars is a contentious topic right now and we can understand why purists might get the hump about making irreversible changes that taint a rare car’s originality and provenance. But while we agree that ripping the beating heart out of an old sports car, a vital organ that lends so much soul and character, is unacceptable, when it comes to large, luxurious limousines, electrification actually makes perfect sense.

Rock and Roller 

The London-based company Lunaz agrees. It’s just revealed the first of 30 fully electric Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Silver Clouds that it will sell for £350,000 and £500,000, respectively. Agreed, that’s a helluva lot of money, but when you look at how the Roller has been comprehensively restored and reengineered to accommodate the new powertrain, the sums begin to make more sense. The Silver Cloud receives an 80-kilowat battery while the larger Phantom gets a 120-kilowat unit. Both should be good for 300 miles of range. Performance figures have not been revealed, but that’s not really the point here, is it? 

Other discreetly integrated modern technological features include upgraded suspension, brakes and steering to make the car feel like a Rolls-Royce despite the powertrain transplant, dual-zone air-conditioning, split audio and screen mirroring. If we were the owners of a posh hotel in a city centre with increasingly stringent pollution restrictions, we’d be giving Lunaz a call, pronto. 

Photos: Lunaz