Aston Martin Has Made A Reversible Electric Powertrain For Classics
Older cars are becoming increasingly unwelcome in densely populated areas, with many major cities across the world either banning them from their centres or making noises about doing so. But what if there comes a time when burning fossil fuels on any public road is illegal? Where does that leave cherished classics?
Aston Martin reckons it has the answer in the form of a ‘cassette’ electric powertrain. Fitted to the DB6 MkII Volante you see here, it’s described as a “self-contained cell” that handily sits on the original mountings for the engine and gearbox. The unit - which Gaydon hasn’t provided any images of just yet - also powers the DB6’s existing electrical systems.
Power management, meanwhile, is done via a “discreetly fitted” screen in the cabin. Crucially, the conversion is reversible - you can take it out and drop the engine back in, should you wish.
It’s just a concept, but Aston is already talking about “production versions” of the EV cassette which will pinch bits and pieces from the company’s Rapide E project.
Speaking about the concept, company CEO Andy Palmer said:
“We are very aware of the environmental and social pressures that threaten to restrict the use of classic cars in the years to come. Our Second Century Plan not only encompasses our new and future models, but also protects our treasured heritage.”
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Y E E T
Blasphemy
Argh, that Aston looked sexy!
But when half of the appeal of a classic car is the way it sounds, why would you do this?
The way it sounds
and much more.
But I guess an electric powertrain kills some of these aspects.
That is like saying SUVs are for the hardcore trail runners, yet SUVs are shopping mall parking queens. Everyone expects something else from their car. Some people expect their car to look good, but not smell fo burnt oil, unburnt fuel, have to fiddle with some mechanical component every day, rebuild the carb for the 3rd time this year, etc. They just wish to be able to enter congested antismog city centers with a low maintenance, not overly poluting car that brings a smile to their and others face. For everyone else, you can keep your classic Aston Martin stock. :)
Its a nice point. But Astons of the old were never about sound. They were about beauty and Poise and classy interiors as well as being nice to drive.
In this case, none of those are lost
“Crucially, the conversion is reversible - you can take it out and drop the engine back in, should you wish.”
See, its this bit that is the real game changer. Have an eco-friendly, utterly gorgeous classic for the winter months, when you’re pottling about town and then convert it back to a wonderful sounding classic for the summer when you’re blatting about the B-roads.
Sure, it may be an expensive service but if you can afford to buy and maintain a classic in the first place, it’s going to be pocket change!
Won’t be long until someone makes one of those fake sound generators for the speakers so it at least sounds like an old car
👆
I mean I guess if you want the car to be worth way less and everyone to hate you, go ahead then
why would it be worth less?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
“social pressures that threaten to restrict the use of classic cars in the years to come” - Absolutely nothing is threatening classic cars, they won’t do restrcitions on those, thats for sure. This is horrible.
Germany is about to ban 25+ year old cars from entering the cities, that means many E30, 34, 32, 31 and W201, 124 and others are going to the scrap yards.
This is one way of preserving them
This is reversible, so they’re not damaging the classic chassis by doing so… So I don’t see anything wrong.
exactly