MGB Roadster reborn

English cars and electronics don’t have the best reputation, but here’s a different spin on all that.

It’s called the Classic Roadster and it’s a battery-electric reinterpretation of the 1960s MGB Roadster by England’s RBW EV Classic Cars.

The latest in a flood of familiar bodies powered by e-motors and battery packs, just 30 Classic Roadsters are being offered for sale in the UK at a cool £90,000, or more than $160,000 Australian dollars.

For that you get a brand-new heritage body shell from British Motor Heritage, with an e-motor at the rear and up to eight lithium-ion battery packs in the frunk (front trunk).

“Not only does this give the driver much better handling of the car, retaining that sports car feel, but it also affords maximum battery volume to be housed,” RBW managing director Peter Swain said.

In terms of performance, the Classic will outdo an original MGB, accelerating from 0-100km/h in nine seconds.

According to a 1965 Autocar road test, the 1.8-litre four-cylinder MGB took 12.9sec to get to 60mph (96km/h).

But the original had a theoretical top speed of 103mph (166km/h), compared to 130km/h for the RBW Classic.

The Classic features a 70kW e-motor, a 260km range with six batteries and an eight-hour recharging time.

Other features include bespoke-built front and rear suspension, all independent utilising coil-over dampers, and OEM-developed brake discs and callipers with regenerative braking also included.

By contrast, the original was fitted with a live axle and leaf spring rear suspension and a combination of front disc and drum rear brakes.

Other features unrecognisable to owners of the original include a multi-function dashboard display including a Pioneer Wi-Fi-enabled touch-screen. The interior is swathed in leather and designed by specialist Protrim.

A GT fixed-head version of the MGB tribute will follow from RBW in 2021, along with another electric re-creation.

RBW developed the project architecture with Continental Engineering Services and Zytek Automotive and it can be used in other classic bodies such as the Austin Healey, Jaguar E-Type, MINI and many more.

“Each car can be built to the clients’ personal specification and requirements. The opportunities are endless and therefore safeguards the future of classic motoring,” said Swain.