The term “Restomod” today acquires more connotation than ever, although there has always been a culture of improving classic cars with modern components to make them more reliable and safer. Recently we also know the term -in English- that defines a classic car as a “Daily Driver” for classics that are used every day.
What is also a fact is that in large cities there are more and more restrictions on the movement of cars with many years on them, and although there are several ways to certify that it is a historic vehicle, the authorities do not always allow free circulation arguing emissions issues.
Well, in this note I am going to tell you about an interesting -but expensive- idea that Renault came up with in France and that it will present within the framework of Retro Mobile 2023 in Paris on the first days of February.
It is a conversion kit to transform a classic vehicle with a gasoline engine into a vehicle with an electric motor.
The kits that Renault will launch on the French market shortly are designed specifically for the R4 and R5 models and it would not be unreasonable to think that the applications will increase according to their success and demand.
Renault signed an alliance with R-fit, the trademark of MCC Automotive, specialized in converting classic cars into electric ones. R-fit will handle aftermarket sales for a kit that Renault says has successfully passed the various homologation approval tests.
The Renault 4L kit will be launched on the European market on February 1, while the R5 will have to wait until September 2023.
The electric kit will extend the range of vehicles, for example the first generation Renault Twingo – a model that we did not know in Mexico – and that you can use it too.
The “swap” will consist of changing the entire motor train -thermal combustion engine and gearbox- for an electric motor, a controller for management and operation, charger and a battery.
So far everything sounds beautiful, but we have to face reality, because the conversion kit has a price of 11,900 euros (about $243,500.00 MXN)
The technical specifications are:
- Synchronous electric motor 5kWp/48kWp
- 105V Lithium-ferrophosphate (LiFeP04) battery with a capacity of 10.7 kWh
- Autonomy offered: 80 kms
- Recharge time: 3:30 hours in a 16A – 220 V domestic socket
- Warranty : Two years
Unfortunately we do not believe that the possibility of modifying classics to electric will arrive soon in Mexico
Would you like to have an electric classic car?
