Lunaz converts Sophia Loren’s Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud to electric power
A Rolls for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
While the while idea of converting classic cars to electric power is not without its controversy, it’s difficult to disagree with when it has been done as well as this — British EV conversion specialist Lunaz has converted a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II to run on batteries.
Quite apart from being a glamorous car in itself, this particular Silver Cloud II was once in celebrity hands — none other than Oscar-winning actress and Italian superstar, Sophia Loren.
David Lorenz, founder of Lunaz said: “Every Rolls-Royce elevated by Lunaz has its own unique and fascinating story to tell, but few can match this exceptional Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, which was built in 1960 and first owned by the famous actress synonymous with elegance and style, Sophia Loren.
“In elevating this beautiful, historically-important classic to fully-electric power, we’ve remained absolutely faithful to its original spirit and purpose: to use the most advanced technology available to convey passengers in perfect serenity, privacy and comfort. Through this car, and other vehicles built through the Lunaz Hotel Programme, we’re enabling the world’s leading hotel and residence operators to add a new dimension to their guests’ experience.”
Hotel Programme panders to hotel guest needs
The Hotel Programme by Lunaz has already seen commissions come in for classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley models converted to EVs so that they can still be used in emissions-regulated city centres. One hotel has also commissioned a converted 1990s long-wheelbase Range Rover so that its clients could be driven off into the woods. For incredibly quiet picnics, one assumes. Loren’s Rolls-Royce is the first of the hotel programme cars to be completed.
The hotel programme cars can be painted in specific colours, emblazoned with crests or logos and can be customised with cabin fittings for cigars, champagne, or even perfume. More functional items, such as privacy screens, communications systems, in-car infotainment and extra luggage space can also be included.
The Lunaz service even includes chauffeur training so that professional drivers can learn how best to handle these restomod EVs.
Classic Rolls design unchanged
Senora Loren’s old Roller has kept its classic styling, but Lunaz says that “Every surface, inside and out, has been modernised and upgraded.” The colour scheme is a two-tone finish, Shale on top with Rich Gold on the lower half. The wheel centres are painted to match.
Inside, the seats and doors are trimmed with sage-green leather, with the traditional burr walnut dashboard still in place. There are new carpets, provided by a company called Sedna using fabric woven from reclaimed nylon fishing nets with a backing made from recycled ocean plastics. These carpets are finished in a colour called Quartz and get a little owl detailing stitched into them.
Features Apple CarPlay and other mod-cons
While the classic looks endure, this Silver Cloud II has been brought right up to date elsewhere. Rear passengers get heated seats, an infotainment system that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB and USB-C charging points. Even the seat cushions in the back have been subtly altered to improve rear legroom without compromising on comfort.
Up front, the driver gets all-round parking cameras, a six-inch colour display screen, cruise control and an electronic parking brake.
Electric range of about 300 miles
As with all of Lunaz’s classic electric conversions, the electric motor and battery pack have been designed to fit into the space left by the original engine and its ancillaries, while the Rolls-Royce’s original 6.2-litre V8 engine has been removed and preserved, rather than being thrown away. This allows for the car to be returned to its original condition and power plant if any owners down the line should desire to do so. It seems unlikely that anyone will want to — as Lunaz puts it: “The original Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II was engineered for near-silent running, a characteristic the electric powertrain only serves to elevate and enhance.”
Lunaz hasn’t given any indication of how big a battery the Silver Cloud II uses, nor what kind of range it has, but previous similar conversions have used an 80kWh battery pack for a range of around 300 miles.
The price of this conversion has not been disclosed, but Lunaz previous Silver Cloud restomod was priced at around £350,000, while a larger Rolls-Royce Phantom — using a 120kWh battery — was sold for more like £500,000, so that’s the ballpark. The company is also now converting classic original Range Rovers in two forms — a ‘Town’ version with two-wheel drive, a 60kWh battery and relatively short range, and a ‘Country’ model keeping the four-wheel drive and a 90kWh battery for a circa 200-mile range.
All of the work has been carried out at Lunaz’s HQ near the Silverstone racetrack in Northamptonshire. “The growth of the Lunaz Group affirms the United Kingdom’s status as a leader in the development of clean-air automotive technologies. Firms like Lunaz which operate in the principles of the circular economy show that British industry can provide potent answers to the global need to transition to less impactful industrial practices,” said Lorenz.
Related articles
- If you enjoyed reading about the ex-Sophia Loren’s Rolls-Royce conversion, you might like to read why we weren’t enamoured by the Healey by Caton restomod
- Want to know more about Lunaz’s Aston Martin DB6 electric conversion? Click here
- And click here if you want to see our guide to all the car makers’ electric vehicle plans
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