As someone who devotes endless time, thought, and treasure to the maintenance and improvement of a 22-year-old Land Rover, it always amazes me what can be achieved by vehicle builders who are in the confident possession of talent, experience, and capital. While I experiment with reviving gray plastic with clear coats of affordable spray paint and restoring old, worn, and abused metal until my fingers ache, the Inverted team is rebuilding classic 4WDs with care and attention that would embarrass the vehicle’s original builders. And then, as if a mere impeccable restoration was not enough, the vehicles are brought silently into the future as fully electric vehicles.
Inverted EV specializes in the electrification of classic cars, specifically the iconic Range Rover Classic and the robust Toyota Land Cruiser. Their transformative approach not only preserves the historical and aesthetic value of these vehicles but also aligns them with modern environmental standards by replacing their traditional combustion engines with fully electric Tesla powertrains. The inception of Inverted EV arose from a fusion of passion and purpose. The founders, motivated by their love for classic cars, envisioned a company that could bridge the gap between classic car admiration and contemporary eco-friendly practices. Their goal was to deliver a driving experience that retained the charm and luxury of classic motoring while significantly reducing the vehicles’ carbon footprints.
Built in blissful rural Oakham, in the shadow of a castle and a short drive from Solihull (where most Range Rovers Classics were born), the process of transforming these vehicles begins with a meticulous restoration. Every car undergoes a comprehensive body-off restoration where both the body and chassis are stripped down to bare metal, restored, and rebuilt. The goal in the build of each vehicle is to ensure that each vehicle not only meets but often exceeds its original glory.
Electrification is at the heart of Inverted EV’s transformation process. The company integrates custom battery packs, utilizing Tesla modules, and a Tesla large drive unit that includes a brand-new gear set and a limited-slip differential. This setup provides approximately 450 horsepower and 600 newton-meters of torque, allowing the classic cars to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds. Additionally, the cars are equipped with a Combined Charging System (CCS) that enables rapid charging capabilities—achieving a 20% to 80% charge in roughly 32 minutes for an 80-kilowatt-hour battery pack at a 100-kilowatt charging station.
Beyond the mechanical upgrades, Inverted EV ensures that the luxury and authenticity of the interiors are preserved and enhanced. The interiors are bespoke and crafted with responsibly sourced, high-quality materials. Features like custom hardwood center consoles, integrated storage solutions, and modern comforts such as Apple CarPlay, high-end speakers, and heated seats are made available, marrying the old with the new seamlessly.
Externally, the vehicles maintain their classic aesthetics but are upgraded with modern technologies. LED headlights, uprated Alcon brakes, fully adjustable suspension, and anti-roll bars are standard, ensuring that the vehicles are safe and comfortable for modern-day use.
The result of Inverted EV’s meticulous restoration and electrification process is a line of unique, luxurious, and environmentally friendly classic cars that stand ready to face the roads of tomorrow. Each car remains true to its roots in design and spirit but now moves silently, powered by clean energy.
Yes, these vehicles are incredible and, not surprisingly, very, very expensive. An Inverted two-door Range Rover Classic will set you back a cool $310,000, and the beautiful Land Cruiser 40 Series costs an astonishing $245,000 (these prices are before the addition of tax). It is safe to assume that we will likely never see one of these vehicles exploring the jungles of Borneo or the trails of the Andes mountains; more likely, they will be found driven by oil money or tech barons far from the West Midlands.
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