Electric-powered cars are the future. While not everyone is happy about it, one day the oil will run out and an alternative means of transport will be necessary. This isn’t new technology – in fact there’s plenty to choose from already including the Nissan Pixo, Mitsubishi MiEV and Toyota Prius. But these space-age designs are far from being desirable to traditional petrolheads. Let’s be honest, on a sunny Sunday morning you’re not going to drive an electric Nissan down your favourite country road…

Thankfully there’s already the perfect solution to this, courtesy of  electric car specialists TURN-E in Germany. Rather than follow the same route as everyone else creating futuristic electric cars packed with gadgets, TURN-E decided to take one of the most iconic cars in history and give it an electric injection – the 356 Speedster!

Whether it’s a brand new Nissan or a classic model like the 356 Speedster, the technology for creating an electric car remains the same regardless of what chassis it is applied to. The end result is an iconic classic powered solely by batteries, giving a range of up to 700km and a top speed of 200km/h on a single charge thanks to a lightweight chassis keeping the overall weight to a minimum. It’ll even hit 60mph in just 6-seconds.

With proper sportscar performance the electric 356 Speedster needed proper sportscar suspension, something only KW Automotive could offer. Featuring such a unique chassis and powertrain the KW coilovers were built to a custom specification providing a sporty yet comfortable ride. As you can see from the picture above, the bespoke chassis is unlike anything else, so a custom suspension solution was the only way to ensure it drives as good as it looks.

For some purists the thought of an electric-powered classic might sound shocking, but this solution from TURN-E allows you to enjoy one of the best-looking cars ever made without the need for worrying about fuel or harming the environment, something the automotive industry must address soon. Want to see it up close? TURN-E will be displaying the 356 Speedster at the eCarTec show this week.