Proprio nei giorni in cui la stampa italiana mette le mani sulla nuova Land Rover Defender, (anche alla spina con l'ibrido plug-in) dall'Inghilterra arriva la notizia che la vecchia, che è uscita di scena dopo 71 anni di onoratissima carriera per questioni di emissioni, diventa elettrica con un lavoro certosino di retrofit, quel lavoro per cui le auto d'epoca che diventano elettriche.
È realizzata in serie limitata di 30 esemplari dalla Twisted Automotive, officina che ha costruito la propria fortuna proprio sulle elaborazioni della Defender ma che fino ad oggi si era cimentata sopratutto sull'allestimento lussuoso degli interni o sulla preparazione dei motori, con iniezioni di potenza ai Diesel prodotti in fabbrica o, al limite, con l'inserimento all'interno del cofano di potenti V8 benzina.
Tutti per gli USA
Le Land Rover Defender elettriche, realizzate esclusivamente sulla carrozzeria corta (Defender 90) e con soft top, saranno disponibili in due step di potenza: uno da 214 CV e 380 Nm di coppia e uno da 320 CV e 420 Nm.
Destinate al mercato americano, e principalmente alla California, dalla quale traggono ispirazione anche per i colori della carrozzeria (Yosemite, Malibu e Tahoe) e dei rivestimenti interni, hanno prezzi a partire, rispettivamente, da 185.000 (la 214 CV) e 210.000 dollari (la 320 CV), che al cambio fanno circa 160.000 e 180.000 euro.
A proposito di Retrofit e Land Rover
Fotogallery: Land Rover Defender EV by Twisted Automotive
322 km di autonomia per l'offroad
Dal punto di vista meccanico, le auto montano sotto il pianale un'inedito schema con batteria da 60 kWh che garantisce un'autonomia di 322 km. La batteria può essere ricaricata fino a 22 kW di potenza (qui per scoprire quanto si ricarica in un'ora un'auto elettrica) Per quanto riguarda l'abitacolo, invece, l'azienda inglese ha fatto quello che fa di solito, rendendo l'ambiente molto più curato e accogliente, con rivestimenti soft-touch, sedili in pelle ed infotainment di ultima generazione.
La cosa più interessante, almeno per gli appassionati del modello, è che a detta della Twisted Automotive le Land Rover Defender elettriche non perdono la leggendaria capacità fuoristradistica, che può essere considerata alla pari di quella dei modelli ad alimentazione tradizionale. Tre le modalità di guida selezionabili: Sport, Eco e Off-Road.
TWISTED 4x4 NAS-E CHARGES INTO USA: ICONIC BRITISH SHAPE GOES ELECTRIC WITH EXCLUSIVITY, CUSTOMIZATION AND CALIFORNIA APPEAL
Limited run of 30 vehicles: Each vehicle hand-built and individually numbered. Compliant with all North American EV Regulations and California CARB regulations
The Twisted NAS-E 4x4 lineup is born from the timeless Land Rover® Defender® legend, electrifying America with an unrivaled combination of proprietary and precision engineering, timeless custom design, practical 200-mile battery range and head-turning beach, off-road and street presence
Designed as a nod to the original North American Specification (NAS) short wheelbase Soft-Top 90 body type – featuring exclusive electric powertrain technology, high-voltage power, luxurious interior touches, everyday drivability, painstaking attention to detail
Refundable deposit to secure a slot, with first test drives available early October and an overall build lead time of nine months
AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 22, 2020) – Twisted – engineers of striking, iconic 4x4s featuring proprietary and precision engineering, fashion-worthy custom design and timeless British Defender® DNA – is introducing a high-voltage lineup of customizable electric 4x4 vehicles into the North American market. The stylish Soft-Top 90 shape, exclusive electric powertrain, 200-mile battery range and an unmistakable presence deliver an exclusivity factor that will turn heads at beaches, in the dirt and on the road.
Bruce Riggs, COO – Twisted North America
“As the world moves steadily toward mass electrification, the Californian market has been missing a uniquely stylish electric 4x4 option that can stand out at the beach, off-road and at stoplights with a level of exclusivity and prestige that can only come from the timeless British Defender® form. With color schemes reflecting the natural beauty of California, a removable soft top shape to fully live the elements, advanced electric powertrain engineering exclusive to Twisted, zero-emission power, practical battery range and luxuriously modern interior touches, the Twisted NAS-E is the ultimate expression of the American coastal lifestyle.”
The Twisted NAS-E: High Voltage Presence.
The NAS-E is the ultimate expression of individuality when it comes to standing out in an ocean of luxury electric SUVs, while still prioritizing reliability and everyday drivability.
NAS-E is the first hero vehicle of the Twisted Legacy collection, a re-imagining of the original North American-specification Land Rover® Defender© – built by Twisted Automotive. The lineup consists of two trim levels: NAS-E and NAS-E Plus.
Top-level technical specifications: A fully electric, zero-emissions certified direct-drive system propels the full lineup of Twisted NAS-E models into the future. A clean and robust powertrain includes U.S.-made electric motors that deliver power on demand whenever and wherever its needed.
Compliant with North American EV regulations and California CARB regulations.
Stimulating Power Options:
NAS-E: Remy Borg-Warner motor delivering more than 380 newton-meters (280 pound-feet) of torque and 214 brake horsepower.
NAS-E Plus: Performance increases to 420 newton-meters (309 pound-feet) of torque and 320 brake horsepower.
Charging and Practical Range: 22 kilowatt-hour charging system – with fast charging also available. Access to public charging infrastructure and a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack provides a 200-mile battery range delivering practicality that matches gas-powered vehicles.
Progressive Suspension: Custom-valved dampers, superior traction, dramatically reduced understeer and suspension travel retained for off-road capability.
Performance Braking: Twisted Performance six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear brakes, hard-use RS29 brake pads, ABS and TCS for increased traction.
Performance Drivetrain: Uprated componentry to handle increased torque figures, four-wheel drive gear-reduction direct transmission – featuring a step-down transfer case for high and low-range use.
Open-air form and California-inspired color options:
Based on the iconic NAS short wheelbase 90 Soft-Top.
The California Series will make up the first available models – with production limited to just 30 units, 10 in each color choice.
Available in three unique color options: Malibu, Yosemite and Tahoe. Each hue is inspired by a timeless California landscape.
Malibu embodies the beautiful yellow sands of coastal California.
Yosemite draws inspiration from the natural wilderness across one of California’s most famous national parks.
Tahoe emulates the alpine lakeside of Lake Tahoe in Northern California.
NAS-E Features:
Cream leather seats featuring Alston Alcantara inserts.
Three-seat bench across the front row with detachable headrests.
4x tip ups located in the load area.
Twisted Sport Wheels finished in silver.
Twisted Stage One frontend.
NAS roll cage and Bimini hood.
Full infotainment system.
EV system management touchscreen.
Raptored ‘spray down’ unique flooring.
Air conditioning.
NAS-E Plus:
All features included from NAS-E.
Power increase to 320 brake horsepower.
NAS brush bar.
NAS side steps.
Roll-bar spotlights.
NAS-E body stripe decal.
Black side stills.
Refined Interior: NAS-E and NAS-E Plus reshape the perception of a lifestyle-focused EV interior. The lineup is designed to go anywhere, anytime and features modern, luxurious amenities and soft-touch materials previously reserved for supercars.
Seating:
NAS-E and NAS-E Plus feature leather and Alston seats that are part of an interior designed to keep the end-user cool, while being much easier to clean.
Infotainment and Entertainment:
EV system management: Sport, Eco and Off-road modes.
Touch-screen infotainment and navigation.
Enhanced splash screen with unique function readouts.
Rearview camera with wide angle.
Exclusive Twisted eight-channel audio system: Italian designed, UK developed and built specifically for Twisted vehicles.
Security: GPS tracker and vehicle immobilizer. Companion app enables live monitoring and security features.
Full coverage warranty:
Twisted’s fully comprehensive coverage includes 24 months / 20,000 miles with available extensions.
Pricing and reservations/orders:
NAS-E
Starting at $185,000 (U.S.).
NAS-E Plus
Starting at $210,000 (U.S.).
Lead time for each custom build/order: Approximately nine months.
Limited test drives will be available early October 2020.
Build slots can be secured with a fully refundable deposit.
Reservations and orders may be placed now by calling 1-800-832-8841 – or inquiring via the website at https://www.twistedautomotive.com/en-US/models/nas-e/.