Electric Icons Ep.2 - The coolest electric car you can buy!

Being 'cool' isn't about being the fastest, or the most expensive, the most practical or even the best looking. It's hard to put your finger on exactly what makes something cool or not. However, in our latest episode of 'Electric Icons', Bryan reckons he has found the coolest new electric car you can buy. Yes, that's right, we did say 'new'. Because despite it looking like a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster, this is in fact a brand new, fully factory-built electric sports car that hasn't been converted, but has been designed, engineered and fully tested by one of the biggest and most innovative autonomous technology companies in the UK today. Join him as he braves the chill to test the delectable new Chesil Speedster E and meets the people behind it.
AutoEV - All electric, all independent.
0:00 - Introduction
01:48 - Titles
01:55 - Meet the car
03:12 - Meet the maker
12:05 - Technical details
14:11 - Driving the Speedster
21:14 - Pricing
21:46 - The future
22:29 - Summary
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Website: autoev.co.uk
#electricporsche #chesilspeedster #westfieldsportscars #electricclassics #electricclassiccars #porschespeedster #topgun #pointbreak #kellymcgillis

[@laurahall268]

Our company, Hall Engineering and Design, designed, built and developed this chassis. We are so pleased that the hundreds of hours of engineering and fine tuning has paid off!

[@cleverastoast693]

Great review, It's exactly how my wife and I felt about the car, and we are not car people. We went up to see Simon and test drove this very car in September last year. The moment we stepped out after, we put in a tailored order , with the build starting next month. We cannot wait.

[@AutoEV]

Wow, great to hear this! Glad you enjoyed the review, and how fantastic that you have one coming. You certainly won't be disappointed.....but then you knew that already! Great bunch of people up there, and you will be properly looked after by them. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on with the car when it arrives. Bryan@ AutoEV.

[@andie9762]

So jealous !!!! Enjoy!

[@rickychawla4504]

Hi Guys, i am keen on this beauty. Have you received any update or even received the car?

[@Petelmrg]

Never really been a Porsche 'nut' - or a sports car person; but that is truly a thing of joy and beauty. It certainly made you grin!

[@sevesellors2831]

Beautiful car and the engineering is fantastic, great review many thanks, indeed it’s cool very cool!

[@richardlewis1870]

Was in contact with Westfield when they first bought Chesil. I asked if they would design their own chassis as the beetle chassis will run out. They explained yes and that’s what sold me. Now that there is also an electric version it’s a winner. A beautiful car anyway.

[@Joseph-jy5lz]

Great review and beautiful looking car

[@sevesellors2831]

Beautiful car one of my favourites, always love your reviews very relaxing and well explained, loved the new Megane electric review too your favourite too?

[@ianfutcher1518]

Looks stunning

[@1974grins]

Glad to see this review - had signed up for one pre Christmas. Can’t wait to get it!

[@AutoEV]

You will not regret it. It is a sensational piece of kit. You lucky, lucky thing!

[@georgestewart1983]

I will consider buying one of these-but only if the chassis is galvanized! (2 of my previous cars the Morgan & T.V.R. both had chassis rot!!

[@KJSvitko]

Love it. Beautiful car. A true updated classic.

[@AutoEV]

But that’s the thing. It isn’t a classic. It’s a brand new car with a new chassis and power train. Difficult one, isn’t it? It does drive brilliantly though!

[@T0yRac3r]

it is a great review - I have watched it several times now!!! Interestingly Beck in USA have just announced that they are also doing an Electric Speedster in 2023!! Ferdinand Porsche himself would surely nod approvingly if he got a time travel ride in one of these!! Well done Westfield!!

[@eeblatter]

Ferdinand started with an electric car.

[@Kopchronicles]

What a lovely Review Bryan. Think I saw a winter tear or two😂

[@AutoEV]

I nearly cried giving the keys back.......

[@andyrobinson2493]

Really exciting to know Westfield are putting batteries in every model. The eleven is the car I'm dreaming of, I've seen one conversation but new out of the factory that's a no-brainer. Westfield seem to be going the right way about changing with the times and cars like this will win the more ev sceptical car enthusiasts over. Now subscribe.

[@fionnmaccumhaillsmammy296]

Gorgeous.

[@martinbeck7362]

It's great to see the kit/component car manufacturers are embracing the change to EV's. I wish more of the kit car makers would explore this major change in automotive history. Not only would this adoption of EV tech be beneficial to the environment but would help to bring down the costs of EV cars and vehicles.

[@jaglazzarinim2558]

can I get one with drivers wheel on the RHD or USA /Italian drive side?

[@RedBatteryHead]

That body style and wheels are so awesome. Colour is killer. Pitty the DIY isn't fully capable by the owner, or via other dealer.

[@cutler65]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but what sort of range would you get from one of these stunning little beauties?

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Looks great, I wonder if they’ll do a swap for my Lotus Evora?

[@DaveMGmovies]

I've always loved the Chesil but now it's gone electric it has even more allure. That's a lot of brass razoos though. I'm sure it's worth every penny but I'm too old to remortgage the house.

[@HenrikVendelbo]

Electric 356 would be amazing. My main concern is luggage space. Don’t want a Sunday car

[@santosh911]

Two things i want to find out: do the windows wind up and whats the expected range?

[@alansgarage8545]

Great review. You should have taken more footage from the outside while the car is being driven. Looks like a great piece of engineering. One thing that Chesil need to work on, is the headlight placement on the front fenders. All replica/kit manufactures have the correct headlight/fender dimensions but for some reason Chesil have the headlight sitting a lot higher which gives it more of a beetle look. Great car nevertheless.

[@AutoEV]

I’d love to do more external shots, but usually it is just myself filming, so nigh on impossible to do any tracking shots at all. Glad you enjoyed it otherwise however, and thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Very much appreciated.

[@adrianashworth4668]

Beautiful! And a great review. Any idea of the range and what type of charger?

[@AutoEV]

Circa 200 miles. Standard type 2 socket (but CCS is coming) and it has an onboard 7kW water cooled charger. 5 hours from 20% to full from a 7kW home charger.

[@adrianashworth4668]

@@AutoEV Fantastic. Thank you for your reply.

[@donelmore2540]

I am potentially interested. Did you say that you are planning a US model (left hand drive)? How much would a US model cost? Are heat and a/c available? Is a coupe in the works? My car would live at my Texas house where it is either too cold or too hot. LOL. Did you mention the range?

[@T0yRac3r]

@Don, actually Beck in USA have just announced that they are also doing an Electric Speedster in 2023!!

[@donelmore2540]

@@T0yRac3r I just sent Beck an email enquiring as to the electric model. Thanks!

[@inkyhendershot781]

I wish you could import this car to the United States because I would love to purchase one from you. I have always loved roadsters, having owned two MG-MIDGET'S and one Triumph Spitfire over 50 years ago. Of course, I purchased all three cars brand new. I am unable to build a kit car and love the fact that your cars are brand new builds from the ground up. Have you thought about doing MG-MIDGET's and MGB's from the ground up in electric versions?

[@AutoEV]

Take a look at RBW - electric MGB.

[@chargeheadsuk]

Beautiful car ❤ and great EV internals thanks to ECO Classics 🤟⚡🙏

[@bbbf09]

Very Karmann Ghia - which I think is much superior in looks and is my dream electric conversion (one day!) . This is because the Karmann was a car never known for it's superior engines - so find one and ripping out its puny engine and replacing with a powerful torqueey electric would never a crime against a classic - just an improvement.

[@ElectrogenicREV]

Here is your dream: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWbGi6FojtqZnMU

[@alanlee4561]

🙂Bryan, an interesting review of a new EV set of wheels based on the iconic Porsche 365 speedster cabriolet roller skate, but with all mod-cons. When you consider the original cars were only 1100cc, 1300 cc or 1500cc this has incredible performance and I presume better safety. The price may seem high for such a new car, but if you want an original one (1948, 74 years old, and a bit rusty) you would be lucky to get one for under £350,000, so that might help some people, compare and contrast? Did miss how far the range maybe on a full charge, any safety information and if they also plan a coupe version?

[@AutoEV]

I didn't mention the range, which was an oversight, so apologies. It is circa 200 miles depending on conditions. No plans to do any other bodystyle other than Speedster, however, the batteries and motors are finding their way into both the standard Westfield sports car (which I haven't driven yet, but am told it is wild!) and the sublime Westfield XI which would be an interesting addition. Safety is purely passive, so no active systems or airbags, just a very strong, rigid chassis underneath to protect you. But I will repeat what I say many times in the video, the quality of the engineering is what impressed me. It feels like a car that has been developed by a team of people who know how to build a sports car. And that was the interesting part of my day. As Simon says in the beginning, they bought an old Chesil and had it converted by an outside company, and when they drove it, they knew then it wasn't what they wanted to do. That's when they decided to start again and design the car they wanted right from the start, and my goodness, have they done an excellent job. Thank you for watching the video and taking the time to comment. I hope you stick around for a few more!

[@alanlee4561]

@@AutoEV Your video and comments and, those of Simon, does raise a very good question about the economics of upgrading an ICE to an EV and if it is really sustainable and viable in the long term?

[@willempieffers6928]

Love it love it love it! Wan’t one! Cost??

[@AutoEV]

The price is in the video! £66k as a kit, £74k as a factory build + options on top of that.

[@kodek1234]

What are you talking about Doc Hollywood was a great movie.

[@A_man213]

It says I could buy it but I have a feeling it is more expensive than the finished petrol kits that are $46,000.

[@Frizzell39]

How much?

[@jamesdean2706]

wow, love it, and 900kg...:)

[@AutoEV]

And it feels so agile. It really is a brilliantly engineered car. I can't wait to drive their Westfield Electric, especially the XI.

[@jovanzee5805]

Is there a left hand drive version?

[@AutoEV]

Yes, but only for USA and Norway.

[@GraemeLeRoux]

An EV replica of a Ferrari Dino 206 GT would be very, very cool….

[@Rhumblings]

You dont mention some critical points ie Range? and the fact that the 365 is as much about the sound of the engine as it is the looks... I had one on California and the pleasure was firing it up on Laguna Beach and the way heads turned.

[@AutoEV]

I did forget to mention the range, you are correct. An oversight, and my apologies. The range is circa 200 miles depending on conditions.

[@richardhintonracing]

Chop top Beetle .

[@AutoEV]

Except it isn’t. Because this car doesn’t have any components from a beetle. Not even the chassis.

[@ldfreitas9437]

Great thing to get more people wanting to buy EVs. Getting mine made by Motosports of San Diego, California. Mine will have the VW chassis and recycled Tesla batts.

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

£73,000 is a down payment on a mortgage to normal house hunters and so well outside my price range. Plus its a soft top and around my way, wouldn't last more than a few days sat in my car-park before some scroat took a knife to it, leaving me with a hefty repair bill.

[@CyrusDM]

Get the coupe version then :)

[@A_man213]

Exactly no normal person can afford it. However a normal person COULD AFFORD the petrol version

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

Brillant love this Porsche 356 speedster, now ban toxic fossils try slow anthropogenic extinction🌍💚

[@arrshyan]

Its a shame that they have just gone in to administration

[@AutoEV]

Our hearts go out to everyone there and fingers crossed a buyer can be found. It’s a business that needs to exist.

[@SlimTortoise]

Nice car shame it does not have a engine in it. This EV BS will end and people will see it for what it is a "CON"

[@AutoEV]

You need to get over yourself and see that it’s just another form of propulsion, and a good one at that. I suppose people who rode horses used to think similarly when cars came along…..

[@SlimTortoise]

@@AutoEV Not really ref your stupid example of houses and cars, Where do EV's get thier power from? fresh air? Do some physics and find out what happens when you transfer power, afew times. Should I mention where the materials for the batteries come from? should I also mention that CO2 is not a problem? all plant life dies at 150 ppm (parts per million) the earth has had levels of 7000 ppm we are at 420 ppm and morons what it to go lower. Look I get it you may have a business selling this BS to the public so are just protecting your family and web site. but you can not fool everyone just some. I would edge your bets and look at an engine option or at least a make it possible to change it to a engine just in case the rest of the country wake up to this BS, which I suspect will not be long.

[@ruxod9002]

How much ?

[@AutoEV]

£76k basic as a factory build. Cheap at twice the price (as my old dad used to say!)