Eight retro electric cars that are informed by motoring heritage (2024)

Electric vehicles have entered the mainstream, but while some manufacturers are developing futuristic concepts, others are looking to the past for their designs. Here is a roundup of eight electric cars with a retro design.

Following the news that Volkswagen is launching an electric update to its T1 camper van, we look at other car brands, including Jaguar and Hyundai, that have drawn on classic car designs for their electric vehicles.

Volkswagen ID Buzz

German automotive companyVolkswagen recently launched the ID Buzz van as an electrified update to its iconic T1 Transporter camper van that became associated with the hippie movement in the 1960s and '70s.

Like its forebearer, the ID Buzz has a flat front with almost no overhang and a V-shaped face adorned with an oversized VW logo, with an option for two-tone paintwork.

"The T1 was an icon of the 1950s," said Volkswagen head of design Jozef Kabaň. "With the ID Buzz, we're transferring its DNA into the age of electromobility. It's conveying the icon's genes and design elements into the digital age."

Find out more about the ID Buzz ›

Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur

Designers at Korean automaker Hyundai have built the Heritage Series Grandeur, a modernised, all-electric concept version of its 1980s saloon car.

It kept the first generation Grandeur's original boxy shape while adding features such as pixel-style LED headlights and taillights.

Inside, burgundy velvet seats and a single-spoke steering wheel are reminiscent of the car's original interiors, but the dashboard's buttons and dials were replaced with an ultra-wide touch screen display.

Find out more about the Heritage Series Grandeur ›

Renault 4L Suite No.4 by Mathieu Lehanneur

The 1960s Renault 4L was given a makeover by French designerMathieu Lehanneur to create this one-off car in honour of the original's 60th anniversary.

Called the Suite No.4, Lehanneur's model has the same lines and exterior dimensions as the classic 4L, but the rear panelling is replaced with panoramic windows that cover the sides and roof of the car.

As well as being retrofitted to be 100 per cent electric, it featurestransparent solar panels on the roof that help to charge the car's battery while in sunlight.

Find out more about the Suite No.4 ›

Micro Microlino 2.0

Swiss company Micro launched the Microlino 2.0 electric car, released in 2020, to combine modern aesthetics and mechanics with "retro charm".

It closely resembles the Italian-designed Isetta Microcar from the 1950s, and at only 2.4 metres long is small enough that it only takes up a third of a standard parking space.

Find out more about the Microlino 2.0 ›

MINI Cooper SE

BMW released an electric version of the MINI Cooper to the market in 2020, keeping most of the famous hatchback's recognisable styling with only a few functional changes.

For instance, the MINI Cooper SE has a closed grille because of its reduced need for ventilation, and wheels and mirror caps have been updated to be more aerodynamic.

In 2018, BMW also built a one-off all-electric version of the classic MINI first produced in 1959, to promote its stated switch to zero-emissions production.

Find out more about the MINI Cooper SE ›

Jaguar E-Type Zero

Instead of basing a new electric car on one of its classics, Jaguar unveiled a fully electrified prototype of the E-Type convertible that entirely retains the original's aesthetic.

The E-Type, which was produced from 1961 to 1975, was described by Italian automotive legend Enzo Ferrari as "the most beautiful car in the world".

Its electric remake was engineered by Jaguar Land Rover's specialist Classic department to have a powertrain of a similar weight and size to a petrol engine, meaning that the car's design – including its breaks and suspension – did not have to be changed.

Find out more about the E-Type Zero ›

Infiniti Prototype 10

Japanese luxury car manufacturer Infiniti designed the electric Prototype 10 concept car to be a forward-looking version of early Californian speedster cars.

"This idea of 'looking back to go forward', and combining the inspiration of an earlier aesthetic with future technology, lets us show how excited we are about the era of electrification," said executive design director Karim Habib.

"Prototype 10 draws on some of the most iconic and evocative car designs of all time to illustrate this excitement."

Find out more about the Prototype 10 ›

Eight retro electric cars that are informed by motoring heritage (8)

Ford F-100 Eluminator

In November 2021, Ford produced an electric version of its 1978 F-100 pickup truck to promote a new electric crate motor that can be installed as part of the process of electrifying combustion-engine vehicles.

The F-100 Eluminator concept uses two motors that are the same as those used in the GT performance edition of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E released to market in 2019, which itself departed in style from its predecessors.

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Eight retro electric cars that are informed by motoring heritage (2024)

FAQs

Eight retro electric cars that are informed by motoring heritage? ›

A retro-style automobile is a vehicle that is styled to appear like cars from previous decades. Often these cars use modern technology and production techniques.

What is the retro car? ›

A retro-style automobile is a vehicle that is styled to appear like cars from previous decades. Often these cars use modern technology and production techniques.

What is the best classic car to convert to electric? ›

10 Best Classic Cars to Convert to Electric
  • Porsche 911. ...
  • Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. ...
  • Jaguar E-Type. ...
  • Land Rover Defender/Series. ...
  • Volkswagen Beetle. ...
  • DMC DeLorean. ...
  • Aston Martin DB6. ...
  • Convert Your Classic Car to Electric. An electric car conversion may seem a daunting prospect, but nowadays it is easier than you might think.

What was the first electric car released in the United States? ›

1889 — 1891. William Morrison, from Des Moines, Iowa, creates the first successful electric vehicle in the U.S. His car is little more than an electrified wagon, but it sparks an interest in electric vehicles.

What happened to Nobe cars? ›

After original development and two unsuccessful crowd-sourcing attempts, Nobe's Estonia workshop caught fire, destroying its two prototypes and underlying documentation, all uninsured. Developers turned to North America, where a non-running prototype was subsequently marketed by Nobe Cars USA, Inc..

What are retro cars called? ›

We have listed all three and their generally agreed-upon ages below: A vintage car is one that was manufactured between 1919 and 1930. An antique car is any car manufactured in 1975 or earlier (older than 45 years old). The classic car is a vehicle manufactured in the 1990s or earlier (at least 20 years old).

What counts as a retro car? ›

In short, any car that's aged 40 years or older is considered to be a classic car, or in official terms, a 'historic vehicle'.

Is it worth converting an old car to electric? ›

Increased Classic Car Value

Converting to electric power will no doubt increase your car's value. Ultimately, electrification makes classic cars a lot more useable, and therefore people are more likely to pay more for a converted EV.

How much does it cost to convert an old car to EV? ›

Foremost EV's packages start at $65,000 including parts and labor. How much a conversion will cost is not as straightforward as you might think because there are several factors—starting with the kind of car you drive, desired speed performance, drive range between charges, charge times and more.

Do electric cars age well? ›

Plan on a service life of between eight and 12 years if your EV is regularly used in more extreme conditions. As of 2023, the average age of all passenger vehicles in the U.S. is currently 12 and a half years old. Your EV's battery health might never even come under consideration.

What is the best selling car of all time? ›

The Toyota Corolla is the world's bestselling car with Toyota building over 50 million of them since 1966. This amazing achievement is just a testament to the effort Toyota put in this model. They have produced countless versions, generations, and models for many different markets.

Why did electric cars disappear? ›

An electric vehicle held the vehicular land speed record until around 1900. In the early 20th century, the high cost, low top speed, and short-range of battery electric vehicles, compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, led to a worldwide decline in their use as private motor vehicles.

Do electric cars have engines? ›

All-electric vehicles, also referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.

What car is still hand made? ›

Each Rolls Royce frame is made from over 500 parts— all of them are welded by hand. This supreme attention to detail is why Rolls-Royce motor cars perform like no other vehicles on the road. The engine of all Rolls Royce car models is designed to leave at least 10% power in the reserve at all times.

What happened to the Zenn car? ›

The company name is an acronym for Zero Emissions No Noise. Zenn produced its last vehicle in 2010. Since then, the company has changed its name to EEStor Corporation and no longer builds or produces vehicles.

What is a ZoZo car? ›

Built on an all-new carbotitanium chassis, it's called the ZoZo after Japan's biggest online fashion mall, Zozotown, the owner of which commissioned the car. It will be delivered by Tokyo dealer Bingosports. The Pagani Zozo features the Zonda 760's specs and is similar to Lewis Hamilton's one-off Zonda 760LH.

Is retro in the 70s? ›

The world's first use of this term was in 1972, encompassing colorful new technology and fashion until the 1990s. Any item fifteen years old can be considered a retro item. However, you can still call an item created today that evokes the vibrant styles of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and early 90s retro.

What is considered retro now? ›

Typically, the term retro is given to items which are at least 20 years old (but not yet 40 years old). Again using today's posting date, retro items would be those made between 1979 and 1998. Also found in antique malls like Fargo's F.A.R.M. are items which are not necessarily old at all, but still collectible.

What age is a retro car? ›

According to the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) any car that's 40 years old or more is a historic (classic) vehicle. Even then, classic cars used for trade or business or for hire and reward like wedding rentals are not tax-exempt.

Why is it called retro? ›

The English word retro derives from the Latin prefix retro, meaning backwards, or in past times. In France, the word rétro, an abbreviation for rétrospectif, gained cultural currency with reevaluations of Charles de Gaulle and France's role in World War II.

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