Aston Martin offers reversible conversion of classic cars into electric ones

Since most of the automobile manufacturers are turning towards introducing electric vehicles, Aston Martin too has joined the race, but with a twist of converting the old classic cars to an all-electric reversible powertrain.

The British automobile manufacturer Aston Martin announced this week that it is starting a ‘Heritage EV’ program where the owners of classic Aston Martins can have their cars converted to an all-electric one with an option to reverse the changes.

As per The Verge, many cities across the world have started to shun internal combustion engines as an effort to boost air quality for residents, thus the firm aims for a zero-emission conversion. Aston Martin says that the technology for these conversions will be built on the ‘key components’ being used to develop the Rapide E, a super-limited all-electric sports car due late in 2019.

The company claimed that the first car it will develop a conversion plan for is the 1970 DB6 MkII Volante. The automaker will build Rapid E-inspired ‘cassettes’, lithium-ion battery pack that can slide in where the original engine and gearbox used to be and be attached to the same mountings.

Moreover, the converted car will fit in a new screen in its interior to let the driver keep an eye on the power management in real time, other than minor other tweaks. “Given the historical significance of these collectors cars it’s vital any EV conversion is sympathetic to the integrity of the original car,” the company wrote in a press release this week.

“The cassette system offers the perfect solution, offering owners the reassurance of knowing their car is future-proofed and socially responsible, yet still an authentic Aston Martin with the ability to reinstate its original powertrain if desired.”

Moreover, the conversion is also reversible so if owners wish to go back to the original car, they would have the option to do so. The car conversions will began from next year, however the pricing information is not released yet.