So how does performance compare to the original VW Beetle?

• Pre 1974 the best a VW Beetle with an original 1192 cc four-cylinder engine produced was around 40 bhp (with many producing around 35 bhp) and 60-65 ft-lb of torque. Both the Jeans and the Green Goddess now have 120 bhp and 173 ft-lb of torque. This increased power in a car weighing approximately 870 kg provides as spirited driving experience as you require, especially given that the power is available immediately rather than only at the top part of the rev range.

• The original Beetle was sometimes capable of reaching 60 MPH in approximately 19 seconds and was supposed to have a (difficult to achieve) 72 MPH top speed which compares to the electrified version’s 0-60 time of approximately 6.5 seconds and a top speed north of 80 MPH so there is quite a contrast!

• The improved weight distribution (motor at the rear, heaviest batteries in the front with additional batteries under the rear seat) greatly improve the handling from this more balanced weight distribution. An electric beetle is only about 28kg heavier than its combustion-engine original form.

How do I know I can trust the batteries and how long will they last?

• The batteries installed in the cars are Tesla ones and are therefore proven technology that will provide many years of motoring. Tesla, like most other battery, manufacturers states a lifespan of at least 9 years. There are original Tesla batteries in existence that have covered more than 250,000 miles of motoring.

What about servicing?

• Our cars have much less to go wrong than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle and similarly much less again than a classic car of the same age. This means a simple annual check-up is all that is recommended. Although there is no requirement for an MOT we would recommend one.

Will the classic car be ok to drive on a dual carriageway or motorway?

• No problem as unlike the original underpowered beetle off the production line the new electric motor will provide excellent torque and can easily deliver motorway speeds with power in reserve.

What is the range of these vehicles?

• Just like conventional petrol or diesel cars, how you drive will affect range of the cars. The 26.5kWh battery in each car has delivered 102 mile range in a single journey under normal real world driving conditions (mixture of urban and highway driving) on several occasions. When supplemented with a 12 minute top-up at a fast charging point this range extended to 132 miles. As another example under general use as an everyday vehicle being run in and around Poole the ‘Jeans Beetle’ only required charging overnight once a fortnight.

• Using a decent type two charging point the vehicle will be fully charged in approximately 4 hours

How does the car drive – is there a gearbox?

• It is as simple as turn the ignition on, select a gear (I recommend 3rd gear), select forward or reverse on the drive switch, release the handbrake and depress the accelerator pedal and off you go!

• The vehicle’s original gearbox is retained and typically the gear selection can be left in 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear depending on what type of driving is being undertaken. There is no need to change gear when driving. The cars will pull away very well from the lights in any gear. A majority of the test driving has been done with the car permanently in 3rd gear with a conventional change to 4th gear for 50 MPH+ driving but this is not essential. The car will also reverse in any gear (just select R on the drive switch when stationary), again that is why keeping it in 3rd gear is easy and convenient.

• Each car has a simple ‘F’ for forward/‘N’ for neutral/’R’ for reverse drive switch.

• The original handbrake remains as do all the other original controls

• In addition there is the ability to maximise/extend the range of the car through regenerative braking with a further switch enabling this function to be engaged (with a medium or high setting) or turned off.

What are the technical details behind the electronic conversion?

• Both the ‘Jeans’ and the’ Green Goddess’ beetles effectively utilise the same electric motor, inverter control, charger unit and  gearbox adapter plate/coupler as follows:-

• Electric Motor & controller

• The Hyper 9 is a 3 Phase AC, Synchronous Reluctance Internal Permanent Magnet (SRIPM) electric motor and it is powered/ Controlled by the SME Synchronous X1 Inverter. In short it delivers outstanding torque and efficiency, generating higher power per kg than a combustion engine.

How does the original gearbox fit into all of this?

• A bespoke engineered aluminium adapter plate is fitted between the electric motor and the original gearbox to couple these two units together.

So what has been removed from the original car?

• In simple terms just the engine, the fuel tank and the exhaust system…oh and the lack of reliability!

What other upgrades have been made?

• All the lighting including the headlights have been upgraded to modern standards and both beetles have front disc brakes fitted in order to improve braking performance.

What are the details of the electric specification?

• 3 Phase SRIPM Motor and SME Controller/Inverter

• DC supply voltage from 62V to 130V, and current up to 750Amps max

• Brushless Motor

• Cage less Rotor – Higher Efficiency, Low Heat

• No Rotor Slip & Up to 95% Efficiency!

• Higher torque than similar sized AC Induction motors

• Outstanding performance in field weakening area with +50% power  & up to 5 x nominal speed

• Ultra-compact controller with Inverter cooling plate

• Fully customisable controller

• Customization available from PC with Smart view Software

• Permanent Magnet Synchronous Reluctance AC electric motor

• Max Voltage Input: 132V DC

• Integrated Sensors: Encoder and Temperature

• Rated Torque: 234.5 Nm

• Rated Power: 120 HP

• Max RPM: 8,000

• RPM Sensor: Yes

• Thermal Cooling: External Heatsink

• Max Temperature generated: 150 Degrees Celsius

• 26.5 kWh battery capacity from linked series of Tesla batteries

WHAT WARRANTY DO I GET?

You are not buying a car from a garage or a company you are buying a car from me as an individual in exactly the same way that you would ordinarily buy a car via an individual through Autotrader, etc

Having said that I will undertake to buy the car back from you in the event that in the course of normal use the vehicle breaks down due to an electrical or mechanical fault - I hope you agree that this is a pretty fair approach?