Classic Bentley goes electric with the Bensport La Sarthe E
Bentley coachbuilder Bensport has unveiled an electric version of its classic looking La Sarthe model. Christened Le Sarthe E, the car replaces a 4.5-litre straight-six with an EV powertrain sourced from Advanced Electric Machines (AEM).
Mated to a 54kWh battery, Bensport reckons the electric car should be able to travel up to 200 miles between recharges.
Like the petrol version, the La Sarthe E is built upon an original Bentley Mk6 or R-type chassis that is ‘meticulously reconditioned’. The bodyshell, meanwhile, is entirely hand-crafted by the Somerset-based coachbuilder.
Bensport produces ‘two or three cars a year’, a spokesman told Motoring Research. The firm could not provide a projection for how many La Sarthe E vehicles it plans to build.
The petrol-powered La Sarthe costs £500,000, including the donor vehicle. It is likely that the electric version (seen in render form above) will be similarly priced when it goes on sale this week.
“When we created the La Sarthe, we wanted it to optimise elegance, refinement and dynamism, said Bob Perry, managing director of Bensport.
“Our La Sarthe E takes this ethos to a new level, offering an almost silent drive, while also drawing our focus to sustainability.
“We’re delighted to be working with AEM to integrate what we believe to be the world’s most sustainable electric motor in the La Sarthe E as a statement of our intent.”
Look out for a review of the petrol-powered La Sarthe on City PM later this summer.
Daniel Puddicombe writes for Motoring Research