Danish Porsche specialist Kalmar, best known for its safari-style conversions, has embarked on a new electric adventure.
For its first EV-converted 911, known as the 7-97 E-Volt, the company has focused on sustainable materials and recycled components as part of an “evergreen” philosophy.
The powertrain is reclaimed from a Tesla Model S, offering 450bhp and 487lbft of torque, sending the 7-97 from rest to 62mph in less than four seconds. There’s 63KWh of batteries which provide a claimed range of up to 180 miles on a full charge and can be replenished from empty to 80 per cent in one hour using a CCS charger.
Those batteries are split into two packs; the primary is under the frunk, while a second unit sits just ahead of the rear-mounted motor, to maintain the original donor 964’s weight distribution. Kalmar has kept the car’s mass to just over 1,374kg to match that of a 911 Turbo, with which its shares overall dimensions. That’s been done using bodywork and interior trim made from plant-based flax fibres in lieu of carbon fibre, and Kalmar claims that the carbon dioxide emissions in its production are some 78 per cent lower as a result.
“The 7-97 E-Volt is proof that an electric vehicle does not need to weigh more than combustion cars,” says founder Jan Kalmar. “Thanks to unique new lightweight plant fibre bodywork and deep attention to general weight savings, the weight remains the same as a 964 Turbo.”
The E-Volt’s styling is inspired by the 1967 911-R, with added aerodynamic and cooling enhancements, while its chassis features adaptive suspension and uprated bushes. Brakes are original steel rotors as standard, although a ceramic option is also offered.
Inside you get all the expected restomod features such as climate control, Apple Car Play audio system and luxurious leather sourced sustainably from Scandinavian cattle.
“The idea of creating an EV version came from our customers,” adds Kalmar. “But for us, it had to be more than just dropping an EV motor in a 911. So we looked to see how far we could take its green credentials. Using an existing car as a base is a good start, but it had to go further, hence recasting parts, reforming the glass and using technologies such as flax fibres that produce lower CO2 in their manufacturing than carbon fiber. The donor car for our first 7-97 E-Volt build was an abandoned Porsche 964 with no engine, and now we have given it a second lease of ‘green’ life. For certain markets, E-Volt offers it all; performance, looks and zero emissions to ensure driving is more fun than ever before.”
The conversion is reversible, stresses Kalmar, and prices start at just under £300,000.
