Watt EV Company reveals modern take on Porsche 356

British EV start-up Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has released images and details of its first model, the 2022 WEVC Coupe, which features a retro design heavily inspired by the 1955 Porsche 356a.

Based in Cornwall, England, WEVC has already designed its own modular EV platform, dubbed PACES, which underpins the WEVC Coupe – a lightweight (sub-1000kg) two-seater that’s motivated by a 120kW mid-mounted electric motor paired to a 40kWh lithium-ion battery.

Weight distribution is said to be an even 50:50 front/rear, with drive sent to the rear wheels and 0-100km/h dispatched in “just over five seconds”.   

WEVC also says it conducted 10 months of prototype testing to ensure the coupe can deliver on its promise of a 230-mile (370km) driving range based on the WLTP standard.

Arriving at a time when high-calibre EV restomods such as the Volvo P1800 Cyan and Jaguar E-type are attracting plenty of interest, the WEVC Coupe is described as a “real-world sports car, yet one that confirm to modern safety standards”.

“With our debut vehicle we wanted to build a light, engaging sports car, at the opposite end of the spectrum from the current trend toward hugely-powerful, fast-accelerating but heavy electric supercars,” said WEVC founder Neil Yates.

The PACES platform features an integrated battery enclosure built into the primary chassis, and WEVC claims the powertrain and chassis combination meets ISO regulations and European Small Series Type Approval crash requirements.

Without going into detail, the company also said PACES will “underpin many next-generation specialist passenger and commercial EVs”.

While the exterior design is inspired by the Porsche 356a, WEVC says exterior surfaces are subtly different to optimise aerodynamic efficiency and “house the state-of-the-art bonded aluminium chassis and bespoke suspension”.

“With double wishbone suspension, 16-inch wheels and 60-profile tyres, it has a comfortable ride, excellent steering response and a handling balance that is entertaining and exploitable, rather than chasing outright lateral grip,” said Yates.

“With compact dimensions, superb packaging and a tight turning circle, we envision the WEVC Coupe being just as at home in the centre of London or cruising along an A-road, as it is on a twisty B-road.”

The cabin is yet to be revealed beyond design sketches, but WEVC promises it will be simple, beautiful and elegant, with premium-grade lightweight materials used throughout and modern-day creature comforts such as air-conditioning and smartphone connectivity included.

Customer deliveries are due to begin in early 2022, with an initial batch of 21 WEVC Coupe Launch Edition models priced from £81,250 ($A144,835).