UK rally and EV specialists team up for new line of classic conversions

Cornish motorsport and restoration expert Rally Prep is to start converting classic Mini, Land Rover and Porsche models into electric vehicles with a kit from fellow British firm Fellten.

Bristol-based Fellten is the world’s only BMW-approved Tier 1 supplier of electric powertrains for the classic Mini, alongside offering other kits, including a 440bhp Porsche conversion.

Rally Prep will be the first company in the UK to offer the full range of Fellten’s pre-tested, pre-wired, electric powertrain systems and will offer full restoration services alongside the conversions. The systems don’t require any structural changes to the vehicles, meaning customers have a totally reversible conversion to electric power.

The Mini kit, which is designed to maintain the original weight and weight distribution of the Issigonis-designed classic, uses a 19kWh battery for a range of around 110 miles. A 99bhp motor allows for a far more rapid 0-60mph time of eight seconds.

Land Rover owners get three motor choices, all offering four-wheel-drive. These range from twin 94bhp motors to two 240bhp units offering a 0-60mph time of just 6 seconds. A 55kWh battery option offers 100 miles of range while a 100kWh unit doubles that and Fellten says it can be DC rapid charged in less than an hour.

The Porsche kit is designed to convert 911s from the 1970s, 80s and 90s to electric power and, like the Mini, retains the original weight distribution. A 440bhp rear-mounted motor gives a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds while a 63kWh battery should be good for up to 200 miles of range.

Rally Prep group CEO and founder, Neil Yates commented: “Fellten’s components offer an outstanding level of engineering, attention to detail and focus on safety that has been incorporated. Fellten’s approach is very much in line with what we do at Rally Prep in terms of attention to detail, quality and safety, so this is a great fit for our business.

“We love what Fellten do in terms of standardising EV powertrain systems, and we can’t wait to start converting classic cars for owners here, in Cornwall.”