Everrati Automotive Limited has cemented its reputation as a global leader in the electrification of iconic vintage vehicles, blending cutting-edge engineering with meticulous restoration. Specialising in redefining automotive legends for the modern era, the company’s latest masterpiece—the fully electric W113 280SL Pagoda—showcases its commitment to preserving heritage while embracing sustainable innovation.
Unlike conventional restorations, Everrati’s approach integrates OEM-grade electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, ensuring these timeless machines remain drivable for decades to come.
The W113 280SL Pagoda, originally produced between 1967 and 1971, is revered for its elegant design, including its signature concave hardtop reminiscent of a Japanese pagoda. Everrati targets models like the 1968 280SL, often overlooked due to age and wear, transforming them into high-performance EVs.
This process not only revives the car’s aesthetic charm but elevates its functionality, offering modern reliability without compromising its iconic silhouette. As Justin Lunny, Everrati Founder & CEO, explains, “Electrification can elevate these classics, ensuring they’re not just museum pieces but thrilling daily drivers.”
Reviving the Pagoda: A Meticulous Restoration Process
Every Everrati conversion begins with a painstaking disassembly of the donor vehicle, stripping it to its bare chassis. For the Pagoda, this involves removing the original internal combustion engine, transmission, and interior components. The chassis and bodywork are then subjected to a concours-standard restoration, addressing decades of wear while retaining the car’s structural integrity.
This phase is critical, as it sets the foundation for integrating advanced EV technology seamlessly.
Central to the transformation is the installation of Everrati’s bespoke EV powertrain, engineered to mirror the original driving experience. The team meticulously balances weight distribution and chassis dynamics, ensuring the electrified Pagoda handles with the same grace as its predecessor.
Remarkably, the finished vehicle weighs approximately 1,430 kg with the standard battery—nearly identical to the original. This attention to detail ensures the car’s soul remains intact, even as its performance reaches new heights.
Power and Performance: The EV Powertrain
At the heart of the Everrati Pagoda lies a state-of-the-art 3-phase AC motor, delivering 300 BHP and 300 Nm of torque. This translates to a 0-60 mph sprint in 8.0 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph—figures that honour the SL’s sporting legacy while surpassing its historical capabilities.
Regenerative braking further enhances efficiency, extending the range to 160 miles in the Standard trim. For those prioritising distance, the Touring trim boasts a 68 kWh battery, offering even greater endurance.
Everrati’s in-house developed powertrain combines proprietary technology with components from leading Tier 1 automotive suppliers. The result is a system that not only meets modern performance standards but does so with OEM-level reliability.
Importantly, the conversion is fully reversible, allowing future owners to revert to the original combustion engine if desired. This flexibility underscores Everrati’s respect for automotive history, ensuring no part of the car’s legacy is permanently altered.
Interior Design: Blending Heritage with Innovation
Step inside the Everrati Pagoda, and the marriage of vintage aesthetics and contemporary comfort becomes apparent. The cabin features cashmere leather upholstery from Bridge of Weir, a Scottish supplier renowned for its low-carbon, luxury materials. This leather adorns the seats, dashboard, and door panels, enveloping occupants in timeless elegance.
Subtle modernisations, such as a chrome-rimmed digital display and Bluetooth-enabled classic radio, are woven into the design without disrupting its retro charm.
Attention to detail extends to the tactile elements. The bakelite steering wheel, adorned with white-on-black dials, retains its original appearance while displaying kW output instead of RPM.
German square box-weave carpets and handcrafted aluminium door shells further enhance the bespoke feel.
Everrati’s philosophy is clear: every upgrade must honour the car’s heritage, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Safety and Engineering Excellence
Everrati’s conversions are not just about performance—they prioritise safety to meet contemporary standards. Each vehicle undergoes rigorous testing, including the R100.01 electrical safety certification, a benchmark rarely achieved in classic car restorations. This ensures the EV components are as reliable as those in new-production vehicles, offering peace of mind alongside cutting-edge technology.
Structural reinforcements are discreetly integrated during restoration, enhancing crash resilience without altering the car’s exterior lines. The battery packs, strategically positioned to maintain weight balance, are encased in fire-resistant materials. These measures reflect Everrati’s commitment to creating vehicles that are as safe as they are exhilarating, setting a new standard in the burgeoning EV conversion industry.
Trim Levels: Standard vs Touring
Prospective buyers can choose between two configurations: the Standard and Touring trims. The Standard Pagoda emphasises agility, with a lighter 54.4 kWh battery optimised for spirited driving and increased luggage space. Ideal for weekend excursions or urban commutes, it captures the SL’s original sporty ethos while delivering instant electric torque.
The Touring trim, equipped with a 68 kWh battery, caters to those seeking extended range for long-distance journeys. Despite the larger battery, weight distribution remains meticulously calibrated, preserving the car’s dynamic handling. Both trims share the same painstaking restoration standards and cutting-edge technology, ensuring every Everrati Pagoda is a masterpiece of form and function.
Pricing and Commissioning Process
Everrati’s bespoke conversions begin at $300,000, excluding the donor vehicle. Each project is tailored to the client’s specifications, with options for custom finishes, battery configurations, and interior materials. The process begins with sourcing a suitable W113 Pagoda, which Everrati can assist with through its global network of classic car specialists.
Clients receive regular updates throughout the 12–18-month restoration period, ensuring their vision is realised at every stage. For enthusiasts concerned about preserving originality, Everrati stores the original engine and transmission, offering the option to reinstall them later. This commitment to reversibility highlights the company’s dedication to automotive preservation, even as it pioneers electrification.
Trim Levels: Standard vs Touring
Prospective buyers can choose between two configurations: the Standard and Touring trims. The Standard Pagoda emphasises agility, with a lighter 54.4 kWh battery optimised for spirited driving and increased luggage space. Ideal for weekend excursions or urban commutes, it captures the SL’s original sporty ethos while delivering instant electric torque.
The Touring trim, equipped with a 68 kWh battery, caters to those seeking extended range for long-distance journeys. Despite the larger battery, weight distribution remains meticulously calibrated, preserving the car’s dynamic handling. Both trims share the same painstaking restoration standards and cutting-edge technology, ensuring every Everrati Pagoda is a masterpiece of form and function.
Pricing and Commissioning Process
Everrati’s bespoke conversions begin at $300,000, excluding the donor vehicle. Each project is tailored to the client’s specifications, with options for custom finishes, battery configurations, and interior materials. The process begins with sourcing a suitable W113 Pagoda, which Everrati can assist with through its global network of classic car specialists.
Clients receive regular updates throughout the 12–18-month restoration period, ensuring their vision is realised at every stage. For enthusiasts concerned about preserving originality, Everrati stores the original engine and transmission, offering the option to reinstall them later. This commitment to reversibility highlights the company’s dedication to automotive preservation, even as it pioneers electrification.
Conclusion
Everrati’s electrified W113 280SL Pagoda represents a watershed moment in automotive restoration. By marrying timeless design with zero-emissions technology, the company has futureproofed an icon, ensuring its relevance in an era of sustainability.
For collectors and drivers alike, the Pagoda offers the best of both worlds: the soul of a classic, with the heart of a modern EV. As the automotive world evolves, Everrati’s innovations prove that heritage and progress need not be mutually exclusive.
Source : Salon Privé Magazine
