Lunaz, the pioneering electric vehicle engineering company renowned for its electric classic car conversions, is set to expand its global manufacturing headquarters by an impressive 500% in Spring 2021. The company will transition from its current 8,000-square-foot facility to a state-of-the-art 40,000-square-foot engineering, design, and manufacturing hub, located adjacent to its existing premises. This expansion will establish Lunaz as the largest occupant within the Silverstone Technology Cluster, a key site in Britain’s advanced engineering landscape.
This significant growth in UK manufacturing capacity represents a cornerstone of Lunaz’s multi-phase strategy to lead the global market in converting passenger and industrial vehicles to electric power. The new facility will enable the company to meet surging global demand for sustainable, upcycled iterations of the world’s most iconic classic cars. Despite a challenging economic backdrop in 2020, Lunaz achieved remarkable success with the introduction of the world’s first electric classic Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, and Jaguar sportscars.
The company’s rapid ascent aligns with a growing global appetite for sustainable luxury goods and is bolstered by progressive legislative shifts. Many governments, including Britain’s, are moving to phase out petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. In a landmark decision, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the ban on sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles will take effect from 2030, further solidifying Lunaz’s position at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution.
Start Of Production For World’s First Electric Bentley
“The Bentley Continental is the definitive British grand touring machine. Customers across the globe asked us to create the world’s first electric expressions of these iconic cars. The result marries the beauty and presence of these extraordinary cars with a proven answer to the key questions of reliability, usability and sustainability that surrounds classic car ownership. We are proud to further the legacy of the Bentley Continental with the start of full production from our significantly expanded UK manufacturing presence.” – David Lorenz, Founder, Lunaz Design
Lunaz, responding to exceptional customer demand, is set to begin full production of the world’s first electric Bentleys.
The latest masterpiece from Lunaz is a meticulously re-engineered 1961 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur by H.J. Mulliner. This car showcases the seamless collaboration between Lunaz clients and its design team, featuring a striking two-tone exterior paint scheme that balances contrast with harmony.
Inside, the cabin reflects the exterior’s refined aesthetic, with leather upholstery crafted in shades that mirror the exterior’s lustrous greens. Burr walnut accents, painstakingly restored by Lunaz’s master artisans, add to the timeless elegance. The vehicle discreetly incorporates modern conveniences, including upgraded suspension, brakes, power steering, and air conditioning. A subtle integration of an infotainment system provides navigation and Apple CarPlay functionality without compromising the car’s classic charm.
Destined for daily use by one of the UK’s leading car collectors, this Bentley has been tailored with unique features, such as child seats upholstered in leather matching the interior scheme.
Following extensive consultations with its global clientele, Lunaz has secured commissions to restore, electrify, and re-engineer some of the rarest examples in Bentley’s storied history, including two highly sought-after James Young models.
Lunaz is now offering production slots for Bentley Continental S1, S2, and S3 models in both two-door and four-door configurations. Rare Continental Drophead Coupé examples will also be available.
Each electric Bentley will undergo Lunaz’s signature bare-metal restoration process, ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship. These vehicles will be modernized through Lunaz’s advanced re-engineering process and converted to the company’s proprietary electric powertrain.
Production will be strictly limited, with deliveries already underway. Prices for original factory steel-body cars start at £350,000, excluding local taxes.
Global Home For Lunaz Design
Lunaz’s new facility, set to be completed in early spring 2021, will feature a cutting-edge design and R&D hub. This space will house key technologies essential to Lunaz’s craftsmanship, including advanced surface finishing, battery engineering, body restoration, and dedicated workshops for both soft and hard finishes.
As global pandemic restrictions ease by summer, the facility will offer a premium hosting suite on its second floor. With panoramic views of the Silverstone Racetrack, including the podium and Club Corner, this space will provide an unparalleled race-day experience. It will also serve as the primary venue for clients to collaborate with Lunaz’s design team.
Lunaz classic cars embody a bespoke partnership between clients and the company’s designers. The factory has been meticulously designed to immerse clients in every stage of the process—restoration, re-engineering, and electric conversion—ensuring their vision is brought to life with precision and excellence.
The Lunaz Proprietary Powertrain – Wider Applications
Lunaz Design has cemented its position as the leading conversion specialist for pinnacle classic cars by developing a proprietary and modular electric powertrain. This innovation is spearheaded by Jon Hilton, a former double F1 World Championship-winning Technical Director, who leads a team of engineers drawn from prestigious names such as McLaren, Prodrive, F1, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, and Bentley.
The Lunaz powertrain is designed to scale far beyond classic car conversions. With legislation increasingly pushing government and private sectors to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets with electric alternatives, Lunaz offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution: converting and upcycling existing vehicles instead of investing in entirely new assets. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy, making Lunaz a frontrunner in addressing this growing demand.
As Lunaz Group continues its expansion into key global markets, the new facility will serve as its permanent British headquarters, complete with an R&D hub and design center. This state-of-the-art facility at Silverstone underscores Lunaz’s commitment to establishing England, and more specifically Silverstone, as its global center of excellence.
Lunaz plans to announce additions to its classic car model portfolio and new applications for its proprietary electric powertrain in the coming months, signaling the next phase of its remarkable journey.
Job Creation
Under the expert guidance of Managing Director Jon Hilton and Engineering Director Jason Hill, Lunaz is set to double its workforce in 2021. The company is actively recruiting talent across a range of disciplines, from traditional craftsmanship and coachbuilding to cutting-edge electric vehicle specializations.
Located in Silverstone, a globally renowned hub for automotive innovation, Lunaz benefits from proximity to world-leading automotive manufacturers, motor racing teams, and electric powertrain engineering firms. This prime location has enabled the company to assemble a multidisciplinary team of top-tier professionals, which is expected to grow to 100 highly skilled roles by the end of 2021.
The Circular Economy
“By 2030, when the UK ban on internal combustion engine car sales will come into effect there will be 2 billion ICE vehicles on the planet. Without conversion to electric, this will represent mass redundancy of finite resources that could otherwise be re-used. Our approach answers the urgent need to extend the life of these vehicles for future generations.” – David Lorenz, Founder, Lunaz
Lunaz embraces the principles of the circular economy, focusing on delivering pinnacle cars while consuming far fewer resources than required for producing and maintaining new vehicles. With major markets accelerating bans on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the need for sustainable solutions is more urgent than ever. By 2030, an estimated 2 billion ICE vehicles will still be on the roads, demanding innovative alternatives to outright scrapping.
Electrifying classic cars not only extends their legacy but also ensures they remain relevant and practical for a new generation of drivers. Lunaz’s approach preserves the timeless appeal of these icons while transforming them into sustainable, future-ready vehicles.
Restoration And Electrification Process
“We designed inherent flexibility within our approach to upcycling the world’s most celebrated cars. The commencement of production of the first electric classic Range Rovers demonstrates the scope of vehicles that can be re-engineered and given an entirely new life through conversion to our proprietary electric powertrain.” – Jon Hilton, Technical Lead & Managing Director, Lunaz
Since its founding in early 2018, Lunaz has assembled a world-class team of engineering, design, and manufacturing experts. Carefully chosen to meet the exacting standards of its discerning clientele, the team boasts experience from industry giants such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford, Formula 1, Jaguar, Volkswagen, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce.
Lunaz’s restoration and conversion process represents a complete re-engineering from the ground up. It begins with a meticulous inspection, where each corner of the car is weighed to the gram to determine the original weight distribution. This data informs critical decisions regarding chassis setup, powertrain placement, and suspension. The internal combustion engine and associated systems are removed, and the chassis is prepared for its electric transformation.
Each car is then 3D scanned to create precise CAD models, ensuring flawless technical execution at every stage. While the specifics of Lunaz’s proprietary electric propulsion technology remain closely guarded, every vehicle is designed, engineered, developed, and tested entirely in-house using the highest-grade components available for automotive use.
Traditional coachbuilding techniques and restoration expertise are employed as the car is stripped down to its bare metal frame. Even the smallest imperfections are addressed by hand before the surface finishing process begins, ensuring a flawless result.
This meticulous approach extends to the interior. Lunaz’s in-house design team incorporates modern features such as satellite telecommunications, WiFi, audiovisual systems, and navigation aids while maintaining the vehicle’s classic aesthetic.
Electric powertrain accessories, including battery chargers and DC converters, are seamlessly integrated into the car’s original design. Ingeniously, the fuel filler cap is repurposed for charging, and the gauges are adapted to display information relevant to the electric system. Advanced air conditioning and electronic heating systems are installed, and the accelerator is converted to a throttle-by-wire system. The process concludes with upgrades to the braking, suspension, steering, and electronic systems, followed by rigorous testing of every circuit before the car’s first electric start-up.
