This rare, gorgeous V8 Bentley S2 has been turned into an electric car

In 1961 this Bentley S2 Continental was originally specified with a 6.2-litre V8 and a body built by a ‘leading’ London coachbuilder called James Young.

Fast forward to 2023, and this Bentley S2 Continental is now one of the world’s rarest electric cars: already a unique coachbuilt S2 (believed to be one of just four) and now even more unique thanks to Lunaz Design’s efforts in filling it with batteries.

As per the company’s other exquisitely restored classics, this S2’s journey began with a thorough assessment to determine its specific characteristics; no two coachbuilt motors are of course, the same.

It was then 3D-scanned, stripped right back to the bare metal, and “returned to as-new condition using traditional coachbuilding and restoration techniques”. Anything that can be repaired has been, anything that can’t is recycled.

The entire gearbox and V8 setup – a then-new engine – is replaced with Lunaz’s own electrified powertrain. Designed in-house, the batteries, inverters and motors are all made for Lunaz by ‘European Tier 1 suppliers as used by OEM carmakers”.

Everything outside of this – steering, suspension, brakes and electrics – are also given an uplift to modern safety and performance standards. And speaking of performance, this S2’s EV powertrain now kicks out 400bhp and 530lb ft, with Lunaz claiming a 0-60mph time of 6.9s. That suspension? Coilovers with adaptive dampers controlled from the cabin. Those brakes? Six-pot calipers up front, four-pots at the back, huge discs. Good.

The delightful orange interior is made from leather tanned using “naturally-fallen olive leaves”, while the carpet is fashioned from regenerated nylon fibre and plastic bottles. Even the wood on the dash has been taken from “sustainable sources”.

“This magnificent Bentley S2 Continental was already an exceptional motor car,” explains Lunaz boss David Lorenz, “as one of just a few examples of its type that remain in the world.

“In its new guise, it’s the rarest vehicle ever to be converted to fully electric propulsion.”