Electric power has opened up a new world of possibilities for tuners, letting them stuff serious performance into cars that were never designed for big engines in the first place.

Take this unassuming classic VW Beetle, for example. While it still looks like something you’d see puttering through a sleepy village, it’s packing the kind of firepower that will put a modern supercar on edge.

Read: This Puny Bug Pulled Nearly $100K After Triggering A Bidding Frenzy

Built by Knepper Bugs & More in Germany, this VW Beetle was originally discovered rotting in a California salvage yard. Knepper bought the car and shipped it home, then began the long process of rebuilding it, ripping out the original powertrain in favor of something much more powerful, and more fitting of the times.

A Classic with a Modern Heart

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The motor now driving the Beetle is the same unit found on the rear axle of a Tesla Model S. However, it’s been modified to run at a higher voltage, which boosts output to more than 600 horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. That’s not a misprint. This thing has nearly triple the power of some modern hot hatches.

Power delivery is handled by a set of Porsche 930 drive shafts, while energy comes from 17 battery modules sourced from a Porsche Taycan. It’s a Frankenstein’s monster of high-end EV tech, all crammed into a car originally designed to max out around 50 horsepower.

There’s no word on how much weight the electric conversion has added, but it has turned this Beetle into an absolute weapon.

According to Knepper, it takes just 2.9 seconds for the Beetle to hit 100 km/h (62 mph). That’s deep into supercar territory, for those keeping score. The new Lamborghini Temerario, armed with a twin-turbo V8 hybrid setup, does the same sprint in 2.7 seconds. The latest Porsche 911 GT3? It needs 3.4 seconds, which means it’ll be shrinking fast in the Beetle’s rearview mirror.

On a full charge, it can travel about 250 kilometers (155 miles). Drive it like it was built to be driven, and range drops to closer to 100 kilometers (62 miles). Not that anyone will be counting.

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To help it cope with the massive performance bump, much of the suspension and braking hardware has been lifted from Porsche 944s. There are also several parts from KW and Bilstein to ensure the VW is capable of handling all of its extra grunt.

It’s Not Just the Powertrain

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Extensive work has been done to the exterior of the Beetle, and it’s now finished in a lovely shade of Marathon Blue. It also sits on classic Porsche wheels and the ride height has been lowered, giving it a more aggressive stance on the road.

There’s also a small carbon fiber spoiler, but nothing else to suggest that this Bug is packing nearly as much power as a Lamborghini Huracan.

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The cabin remains impressively simple. It retains the original gauge cluster and dashboard, now refinished but still true to the car’s roots, and has been fitted with a pair of Recaro seats sourced from a BMW 2002. The old shifter has also been replaced with a small digital touchscreen to select the appropriate gear.

Eager to show how well-built the car is, Knepper’s found took it on an 8,000 km (~5,000 km) journey earlier this year through Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, and even across the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa.

Knepper Bugs & More

Electric vehicles have a way of making everyday driving feel effortless. being quiet, smooth, and free from the clatter and compromise of combustion. As a daily companion, they can make traditional gas-powered cars seem like holdovers from another era.

But there’s a reason enthusiasts still care about engines. They give a car its personality, especially in vintage models like the BMW 2002. So here’s the question: would you want to cruise around in a 1972 BMW that’s been reworked to run on electric power?

Watch: Jay Leno Gives This Home-Brewed BMW 2002 Restomod His Stamp Of Approval

Currently listed on Bring a Trailer, this 1972 BMW 2002 in Golf Yellow, now known as the 2002te, has been given a new lease on life courtesy of Bavarian Econs Tech, a specialist outfit based in Munich. The conversion is thorough. The factory engine and drivetrain are long gone, replaced by the 33 kWh battery pack from a BMW i3.

Feeding that battery’s energy to the wheels is an electric motor sourced from a Tesla Model S. The motor delivers 178 horsepower and 125 lb-ft (170 Nm) of torque, all managed by a 400-volt electrical system.

Light, Quick, and Quiet

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According to the seller, the car can drive up to 124 miles (200 km) on a single charge and run to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a swift 6.2 seconds, more than anyone really needs in most situations. It also tips the scales at just 2,400 lbs (1,088 kg), and we’re sure it’s plenty of fun to throw around corners.

However, in addition to lacking an engine and all of the associated noises and vibrations, the car doesn’t have a transmission, so the next owner won’t be able to enjoy the thrill of changing gears.

An individual from Bavarian Econs Tech who built the car says the 2002 arrived at their workshop with just 31,000 km (19,262 miles) under its belt and was free from rust. Impressively, the exterior paint remains original, as is most of the interior.

There are updates, though. A new set of bucket seats have been installed alongside refreshed carpets and an updated air conditioning system. Helping to further modernize the car is a Bluetooth audio system with eight Helix speakers and a subwoofer.

Adding to the car’s striking looks are 13-inch Alpina wheels clad in Michelin XDX-B tires. The EV-powered BMW has also been equipped with adjustable KW Racing V3 Classic coilovers and all of the important bushings have been replaced with polyurethane ones from Powerflex.

If a classic with an electric twist is right up your alley, the auction is now live on Bring a Trailer. Take a look at it over here and get your bid in while it’s still up.

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