Teslarossa Ep11 - Test drive in the Swiss Alps

We really enjoyed making this episode so hope you all like it.
In this episode it's time to put the 2 electric Ferrari Testarossas through their paces on the twisty mountain roads of the Swiss Alps. The instant torque of the Tesla motors, coupled with the Tractive semi-active suspension from Raceshocks-UK have turned these awesome GT cars in to road hugging sportscars that are just at home on the autobahns as they are on the hairpins of a mountain pass. The aftermarket wider 18" wheels and the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres help ensure these cars stick to the road like glue.
What we've created here is a very rare car indeed. It's a GT that's also a sport car. What other cars can claim such a title?

[@billhill4479]

For those that may have doubted electric classics previously, Moggy and Tim have just shown us the future. Real classic cars that are super practical being driven as they should . A real world test showing how practical and usable an old banger can become with an ev upgrade. All the comforts. Way more power . Way more reliable. Plenty of charging infrastructure . What's not to like ? Well done lads. Very well done.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks 👍

[@OgirCoins]

An absolute treat to see these sports cars on the alpine roads. What a picturesque scenery!

[@ramblerandy2397]

I've seen so many BEV videos over the years that I think I've become a little jaded. The excitement is fading a little because I know this revolution is unstoppable now. But seeing those Teslarossas absolutely filled me with a renewed joy. They were always beautiful cars, and now they are so much better. I understand that there is a new Ferrari called the 12Cillindri [it's an ICE car]. It'll be noisy [yes it will be ultra fast] and will require huge amounts of maintenance, I've no doubt. You can keep it Ferrari. I'll have one of these babies.

[@nunofernandes4501]

Whenever I see the back of a Testarossa I go back to my teenself playing OutRun at the arcade. These are classic with a capital C.

[@darwinskeeper421]

I think Richard owes Tim a few free drinks for the time he spent out in the cold shooting the Teslarossas. The video was gorgeous!

[@ross_12345]

And for sitting in the passenger seat the whole trip. Give him a turn driving!

[@bencole4272]

I've come full circle on the Testarossa. As a kid it was my favourite and then after 2000 or so it looked out of date and out of proportion. Now I love it again.....V12 or electric 😊

[@Yaaayishere]

I still rememebr the day I sent you a picture of my Ferrari 308GTSi and your reply was "we can make that better". This is a classic car game changer, making what were quite frankly troublesome, difficult cars simply how they should have been 40 or 50 years ago.

[@peterjol]

I don't think anyone could look at those cars and not think ..wow!!

[@mikey9999]

Awesome...the future!

[@rushja]

Such a cool car, unbelievable that you've made it even better! Well done, hope you convert them all

[@m.i.andersen8167]

In fact it would be possible to correct the model name on the back of the car by only removing the right side of the horizontal bar on the T. You guys are some really serious electric car ambassadors. Thanks for the great video.

[@matthewhormann8752]

Thank you for sharing all these wonderful Teslarossa videos. I have thoroughly enjoyed them. I used to dream about someday owning a muscle car like a '71 Hemi Cuda. After watching these videos, I think my dream has changed. I'd rather have a resto-mod '71 Cuda that's been converted to an EV.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Glad you like them!

[@felixokeefe]

You should ask Misha Charaudin @mgcharaudin to drive one of these rond the Nürburgring. You could argue that the Nürburgring is the perfect test ground for a GT car with a racing pedigree.

[@89five3five]

The Rossa wasn’t built for the twisties though.

[@genestatler2514]

Wow Richard, that was magnificent fun with the gorgeous scenery and those beautiful " ELECTRIC " Teslaroosas. I do think that you guys were having way too much fun LOL!!! All the best to you from Gene in Tennessee.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks Gene. 👍

[@MattTester]

Beautiful road to play on, I've driven it in the summer but it's not the same when there's no snow. Really impressive conversions.

[@barrywallisable]

Tesla Model S Plaid, the fastest production car in the world and sublime on the motorway. This IS the only race car that is also a perfect CT tourer.

[@GerardBendotti]

smiles for miles 😊 i found myself with a silly grin on my face

[@jimcabezola3051]

Absolute driving nirvana! This is what success looks...and drives...like! Now...get that boy back in the car. He looks like he's freezing to death! 🤣🤣 Aloha to you all out there! Stay warm!

[@sylviosworld.]

I did some mountain roads in our simple Opel ampera E, what a blast with the regen braking, nothing beats electric on twisty roads. I only can imagine what that Teslarossa would feel like. Thanks for taking us with you!

[@florianwagner7279]

Thank you for this nice journey and your yideo - Unfortunately i couldn‘t afford one of these teslarossa - The Testarossa is one of the best looking cars ever made and for sure the best looking Ferrari. Seeing tow of those in the swiss alps must have been a great picture. Your idea to converting those into ev‘s and make them drivable is brilliant 👍It gives those classic cars a kind of a second live and prevents them from dieing in a museum or collection, but keeps them on the road. Well done 👍 regards from Switzerland

[@scubatrucker6806]

❤❤2 beautiful Teslaroasta great job.

[@terryhayward7905]

I love EVs, I love the fact that they are quiet and clean, no noise inside the car. However, I must admit I miss the sound of a beautiful Ferrari engine shouting it's success as it powers up the hill.

[@billhill4479]

ln my mind , this video is comprehensive proof that an ev classic is as good as or superior to a resto mod/pro tourer. That said, a converted Ferrari with active suspension is probably at the top of the scale and out of the league of most people . Now it would be great to see the other end of that scale . A more common classic that can be daily driven and taken on long trips. This transition is from ice to electric is crazy exciting.

[@joshuared1000]

Love the Quote! "Hold on to bars; we are going to Mars!!" I have never heard that quote before lol Great show this week =)

[@Jaw0lf]

This is incredible as many of these great cars needed a lot of maintenance to keep them running and often they were off the road. Being converted to EV does mean, as you said, the cars can be enjoyed and used.

[@rollingstocks]

This is an amazing build. I'd really like to see a classic SL turned into a useable sport car & GT like these Teslarossas. Especially with active suspension.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

We’ve done a few old SLs now. 😎👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2KWZXmkaNingpYsi=xHWaewQtS84cTz8M

[@jamesellsworth9673]

This has been a great drive!

[@maurorecio]

Wow! Amazing job bringing those great cars to new life!

[@markbennett6658]

Very Impressive. Definitely great GT/sports cars. Probably still a bit difficult in town and on narrow country lanes because of the width and restricted visibility. I loved Moggy putting the naysayers in the corner by touching the barely lukewarm front brake discs after throwing the car down those mountain roads. Hilarious. I’d just say the panel fit on the front of both Teslarossas looks a bit iffy. I think they may have had some prior front end damage. A pity they hadn’t got regenerative braking back in the day😕

[@joeg3950]

Oh, what I would have given to drive those cars through that pass!

[@markwellington1254]

Sounds like a couple of military jets going by you on the highway! You guys get all the fun, don't you? Love the matchy, matchy of your hoodies and the cars. Great fun video!

[@QuickSplashVideo-rm2kh]

What an amazing car. You can drive all day on steep mountain passes, the heater doesn't affect range and the brake dust is minimal.

[@dougowt]

I was already convinced that this was one of the best EV conversions to a classic, but the mileage covered by one of the cars in recent years just shows what an EV conversion can achieve. If you own a quality classic you need to be able to use it. I should also say, that ever since I saw the episode on the semi active suspension, I have wanted that for my now 8 years old Model S, it would give the car an awesome refresh. If they want a development mule, tell them to get in touch 😄

[@joeymacme]

Lovely work. Good idea having the car scanned for the potential/future owners to drive virtually, but there's not much point in re-creating the wheel in terms of the driving sim... it would be better to have the car and the road recreated for Assetto Corsa, which will give the prospective owners a much better appreciation for the car through engaging driving simulation.

[@davidburne9477]

I must confess that the absence of engine noise on those lovely cars is a bit challenging. Engine noise is part of the visceral appeal of the motor car, even more so with sports cars. So I’m not ready to make the leap, yet. Thankfully, I have motorcycles to satisfy those needs for thrills. In Australia the infrastructure is still immature, and the polarising culture warriors keep sniping at anything electric. They’re no better than the horsemen of the 1800s who were hostile to cars and said they would never catch on. It’s coming, whether they like it or not. Personally, I think what you are doing is fantastic. More ‘power’ to you 😎

[@pierrex3226]

So you're one of the these motorbike riders EVERYBODY in the mountains absolutely hate because of the noise you make.

[@davidburne9477]

@@pierrex3226 Not me, stock exhausts on all my 6 bikes! Loud pipes are for narcissists and sociopaths. BTW best exhaust sound I’ve ever heard while out driving was in the Pyrenees and got passed by duelling Ferrari and Jag F type. The Jag sounded glorious…couldn’t hear the Ferrari.

[@stephenclay6852]

Great video Richard on a few counts first the car as you say you now have a reliable useable classic car that looks fantastic. Then there’s the scenery wow I’ve done that drive but in the summer months breathtaking. And finally it’s great to see that the charging infrastructure is improving over seas. All I can say is the people that end up with those cars I envy them.

[@thelaserhive3368]

Amazing job Moggy. Looked so much fun.

[@chargedgarage131]

Probably the most enjoyable video(s) you've made, and I've enjoyed all of them. What a combination of impeccable cars, amazing vistas, awesome roads and some good chat. One question - I presume you are limited to the Tesla Superchargers that are "open" to all makes of cars? In Australia only about half are open.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks. Yes, open Tesla superchargers only, but most are open in France, Switzerland, etc

[@garmar704]

Fun trip! Thank you, fellas 🖖

[@noahderrington5156]

So much Outrun vibes here

[@iamkoekwous]

Always loved the Testarossa. Think the 85 Lotus Esprit Turbo with an Tesla motor should be driving the same, only cheaper. Would love to see you do an Esprit in the series.

[@lowfuel6089]

I want to see a TVR Cerbera converted. 😊

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Tim is very tempted to buy an Esprit. 👍

[@iamkoekwous]

@@ElectricClassicCars I already got one :) and did an engine rebuild a few years ago. Should have saved the money to do an Tesla swap....

[@anthonyn3774]

I loved this boys. What a great video. Great stuff.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@EliteRock]

In regard to range, the Testarossa's CD is 0.36, not bad but not great for a low-slung GT, most 21st C saloons, particularly EV's, match or beat it (the Model S is much lower, 0.24 IIRC). I can't remember from the build videos whether ECC have done any mods to improve the Teslarossa's, but I assume there must be some that are possible (maybe. blanking off intakes and adding panels to the underbody?).

[@pamelaraya-carlton3012]

*LOVE IT!!!*

[@PaulM745]

An electric motor won't be affected by the thin air at the top either. Brilliant!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Great point!

[@MarlinMay]

Imagine how much @electricClassicCars could improve a Mondial!

[@michaelj7069]

Oh that would be absolutely transformative.🥰

[@grahambeyer6254]

Did it ovbiously use more juice in the colder climate and hill climbing? How much more?

[@mrmawson2438]

Great trip cheers guys

[@w3072]

good job

[@mikeb9281]

Love it

[@54mgtf22]

Hey Richard. Love your work. Great road trip. 👍

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks 👍

[@garmar704]

Epic toque :)

[@Paul-67]

Torque.

[@garmar704]

@@Paul-67 That too! I was talking about the one on Richard's head!

[@mrmawson2438]

Freezing the bullocks off more like 😂

[@outbackev-hunter6035]

nice round up guys, you don't need to lose your standard of living by going Electric!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Very true!

[@user-wf7ns7ki2r]

ohhhhh awesome as a pig with a tie! ahahahah

[@demonhighwayman9403]

I love the swiss mountains but have only ever passed through, the only rival to them I've seen is the Mont blanc area in France and Italy. As to your first question, would the Bugatti Veyron be classed as a GT/sports car ?

[@jimmyprofit]

Love them 😍

[@rodericde876]

Look no potholes.

[@MedEighty]

1:51 is beautiful.

[@antokne]

Looks like seriously great fun! Not sure if anyone’s already asked. Do they need special tyres and how did they hold up?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

You don’t need special tyres but we always usually use Michelin Pilot Sports on our performance cars.

[@paulAshton-wn8ps]

GT tourer /Racer? I believethe E Type Jag uarmet those criteria. DSJ toured all over Europe covering F1 races, and Graham hill won the GT race at Oulton {ark just after its introduction, and thr TT at Goodwood later in the year. Tesla S doesn't look much like a GT Tourer, but performance is there and it's track performance is sensational.

[@jossentjens7154]

Thanks, enjoyed the vids, scenery and cars! But, did I miss the cost comparison (electricity v petrol)? I did not see it in the video, nor description... Is that still coming, or did I miss it?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

We’re going to do a separate episode on that soon. 👍

[@jossentjens7154]

@@ElectricClassicCars cheers, thanks in advance!

[@alpenfoxvideo7255]

Wasn’t the DIABLO a Sport GT Tourer? at the time it was outrageous because of that power behind a full-leather interior

[@Mikkel-Hansen1987]

Crazy job you've done here!.I've looked a bit but can't quite figure it out, But how big a battery did they get these ferrari's.

[@4literv6]

I think in the earlier episodes Richard said about 64kwhs?

[@rodden1953]

i bet they have more range now than when they were petrol , i saw that a lot of supercars only have a range of less than 150 miles with ICE

[@grast961]

Fantastic to see what you have done to those Ferrari’s, how about an Aston Martin V8 Vantage a GT car with 170mph performance.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Aston Martins. 👍👍👍

[@rustymohican8280]

How does it feel to have the same power at altitude?

[@marksteps1712]

@GMG @GasMonkeyGarage more Testa's to play with LOL

[@bryandickerson5365]

Thanks for the great videos! Watching the ease in which this car handles the pass’s switchbacks I see the allure of such effortless, accurate one-pedal driving and it seems to perfectly match the spirit of the Testarossa! But what about us folks that LIKE the effort and challenge of braking and shifting? Is anyone ever going to come up with an EV conversion for smaller sports cars that mimics the old school ICE driving experience? Hundai’s N car is being met with approval even by enthusiasts, but I’m still interested in an EV that functions best with actual gears and matches the performance of the ICE version.

[@rodden1953]

Many conversations still keep the old gearbox you dont need to change gear but you can if you want to .

[@francesconicoletti2547]

Check out the rest of the channel, the guys actually put a manual gearbox into a Mercedes convertible, it had an automatic as a petrol car . They do conversions on 60s Triumphs which keep the manual gearbox. The front engine rear wheel layout tends to have gear box kept. Your not going to mimic the ICE experience exactly without crippling the flat torque band of the electric motor in some way , but if I understand what Moggy is doing some of the smaller electric motors don’t have a torque band that stretch the entire required rev range of the car so at least one gear shift is needed at speed. It has to be a manual shift because automatics can’t handle the power of the motor.

[@bryandickerson5365]

@@francesconicoletti2547 Thanks for that info. I guess the “Moggy” idea may be what I’m talking about - I’ll look into that. I wonder if it’s possible to design a motor/controller that would mimic an ICE car’s power delivery with a manual transmission while not losing too much range in the process?

[@markiliff]

1:15 Hope you slept well. In the Cheesy Arsa hotel.

[@VampiricHoshi]

GT sports tourer? Pretty sure Aston Martin are screaming DB12 at you right now 😂

[@whitlockbr]

Resistance heater or heat pump 🤔

[@rikardekvall3433]

Forced to have winter tyres in the pass? It’s still “winter conditions” up in the clouds.

[@9and3]

Great video, the Audi RS e-Tron GT is a modern day tourer and sports car likewise the Porsche Taycan. Shame both are so unreliable and have poor range. Clearly the Teslarossa is going to attract a lot more attention though!

[@hippotek1]

Nice. Just one question: why is XSV 162 missing the silver Cavallo Rampante on the rear?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

It’s black on that one, not silver. Not sure why. It’s how the car arrived with us. 🤷‍♂️

[@wrathofbod]

Did the cold effect the batterys or where they running as normal,looked like really great fun

[@ElectricClassicCars]

If they effected them I didn’t notice. 👍

[@sudolea]

When engine braking in the sharp right turn, I failed to see the brake lights. Do they still work while regenerating (and how) ?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes the brake lights come on during heavy regen. 👍

[@KentBuchla]

When are these coming up for sale? Any news on that reseller opening?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

You can contact them directly [e-mail]

[@bryandickerson5365]

@@ElectricClassicCars Hi Tim - please film an in-car drive video next time where we can see hands on the steering wheel and the road ahead to give us a feel for the driving experience.

[@KentBuchla]

@@ElectricClassicCars Thank you

[@_gray_]

Do these have heat pumps?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes

[@MrFoxRobert]

👋👍

[@user-hk2dh3bs9g]

Does the brake lights come on when regen because i do not see it

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes

[@mdflansbury]

Do you think you have limited the sales / market potential by using right hand drive cars?

[@pabloriverosorozco7802]

You need boot space in order to be a gt tourer

[@glengosling5636]

Interest in how many charges and how much it costs?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Future episode coming on that one. 👍

[@FrancoisTCS]

GT/Sport car, maybe a Corvette?

[@theunknownunknowns5168]

With the right audio system you could exactly replicate the interior engine sound. I don't hate my hearing that much but if people really think it's that important it'll fairly easy.

[@54mgtf22]

Porsche Cayman GT4. Grand tourer sports car. Mid engine, plenty of luggage space.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good call 👍👍👍

[@4literv6]

Check out the electric supercar channel he's doing a dual tesla du swapped awd cayman gtE build! 😎

[@2.3_44XD--]

Converting old nice fuel cars to electric properly like these Teslarossas is like and old handsome man having a 20 year old .........

[@MrHemlock51]

Will this shut up the trolls who still insist EVs are no good for long distances, don’t work in the cold and don’t handle because they’re too heavy. I doubt it because they don’t care about facts.

[@elenrad8023]

I'm curious to know how many anti-EV people you have encountered in your trip and how did you tell them or even convince them that this is a good thing to do with those cars... I mean, if you have 🤔

[@ElectricClassicCars]

We didn’t encounter any. Everyone we met loved them. 👍

[@johnmoss7227]

Does the all-electric Lotus Evija hypercar count in this class? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bamckqCfn9N3qpY

[@daviddenley3512]

And just listen to that Ferrari engine???? :-)

[@trevorberridge6079]

More EV myths stomped into the dirt. Lovely looking cars taking on long distances, extreme cold and mountains without fear of running out of power or producing clouds of brake dust.

[@Rowuk2024]

Any Porsche 911 GT is a GT/Sports car

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes. Definitely with you on the Porsche side of things. Great GT cars and fantastic on the track too. 👌

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes. Definitely with you on the Porsche side of things. Great GT cars and fantastic on the track too. 👌

[@Rowuk2024]

@@ElectricClassicCars An electric 914 or 911 would also apply!

[@ngiordano75]

I suppose we'll never go back to cranking a car to start? SMH. The world is going to hell. (Sorry to any sarcasm impaired)

[@harrycummings6501]

Why don’t you get a proper motoring expert like Harry Metcalfe to test this car, he can back to back with his own ICE Testarossa. I own a BMW i4 which replaced a latest series 320d, the i4 is a great car but it even has less engagement than the 320d.

[@mrmawson2438]

Be right back its tea time

[@jamesasteria]

Uploaded this yesterday? Disappointed it's not a new vid :(

[@spudproductions7606]

It is a new vid 👍👍

[@72mardy]

It's part 2

[@yanvianet8722]

It's a crime a Testarossa without a petrol engine

[@WANDERER0070]

Yeah no deadly exhaust fumes and UNreliable italian engine tech ❤😂

[@mrmawson2438]

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