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This Mazda RX-7 Is So Quiet It’s Causing An Uproar

  • This 1993 Mazda RX-7 packs a silent secret beneath its stunning Montego Blue paint.
  • The RX-7 now features a modern drivetrain, again powering only the rear wheels.
  • Despite the drivetrain swap, this sports car likely weighs less than its original form.

The FD-generation of the Mazda RX-7 is often hailed as one of the most stunning Japanese sports cars of the 1990s, and even today, it still turns heads. Decades after its release, it still looks the part, and well-loved examples can fetch more than MSRP at auction. But this one, listed over on Cars & Bids, offers something a little different.

Also: This Is One Twisted Creation You Have To See To Believe

Under its fetching curves and Montego Blue paint lies a Tesla drivetrain. It makes 362 horsepower (269 kW) and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque. That’s good enough to keep up with or even beat its original form. The best part though is that it weighs less than it did when it had a rotary engine.

That last point might sound strange. Most EVs are very heavy, and even electromods can end up with weighty battery packs and questionable balance. Not this one, though. It’s been carefully built around a 42 kWh water-cooled lithium-ion pack. Upgraded Ground Control coilovers and Eibach springs help the Mazda handle as it should, too.

Finally, No More Pretending to Love Oil Changes

Of course, with a project of this sort, range is the big tradeoff. This RX-7 features just 120 miles (just shy of 200 km) of range, if you’re careful, so don’t expect to take it on a grand tour. That said, it’ll go long enough to enjoy some serious canyon carving, a cars and coffee meetup, or an everyday work commute in silence. It’s hard to argue with the convenience factor, too. Forget oil changes. No need to worry about Apex seals either. No compression tests are in its future. Unplug and go. That’s this car’s motto.

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Even the details appear dialed in. The builder kept the pop-up headlights, added in a rotary-style shifter, and Speedhut gauges. That includes a fuel-level gauge repurposed to show battery charge. A Tesla accelerator pedal sits on a custom-printed bracket. The car even features an updated sound system from Alpine. That all said, it’s not perfect.

It needs work to get the air conditioning running, some of the seats need work, and the body and cabin sport the kind of wear you’d expect in a car from 1993. In the end, though, it’s possible that this is a faster, more reliable RX-7 than it was originally. For many gearheads, that’s a trade-off worth making. It might not drink fuel anymore, but it’ll still burn rubber.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of an electric RX-7 and think you’re up for owning something that blends ’90s nostalgia with a modern twist, check out the listing here and place your bid.

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Credit: Cars&Bids

The Land Rover That Still Looks 1960 But Drives Like 2030

  • Electric conversion features 62 kWh battery split for better balance and handling.
  • Offers 160 hp and 664 lb-ft torque, retaining original transfer box and 4×4 function.
  • 120-mile range suits weekend drives, not full-time commuting or road tripping.

In a world racing toward the future on silent electric motors, the idea of electrifying a post-war Land Rover might sound like forcing a flip phone to run TikTok. Still, that’s exactly what UK-based company Inverted is doing, taking the legendary Land Rover Series I, II, and III and giving them a fully electric drivetrain while staying largely true to their iconic design.

Inverted already offers EV conversions for Range Rover Classic models and is using this expertise with old Land Rovers. The original Series I, Series II, and Series III models were built between 1948 and 1985 with 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options. The EV specialist ditches these engines and slots in a 62 kWh battery pack that’s been split across the front and rear to optimize weight distribution.

Read: Electric Toyota FJ40 – Your Grandpa’s Off-Roader Gets A Tesla Heart

That battery sends power to a single electric motor producing 160 horsepower and a hefty 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Thanks to that torque, these once-slow utility vehicles can now hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in a surprisingly brisk 8 seconds.

Even more interesting is that Inverted keeps the original transfer box, which still offers high and low range gearing and works seamlessly with the electric setup. A locking differential is also included, maintaining off-road capability.

Short Range That (Sort of) Fits the Mission

 The Land Rover That Still Looks 1960 But Drives Like 2030

Inverted says its electric Land Rover models can travel up to 120 miles (193 km) on a full charge. That’s peanuts compared to most EVs on the market, but it’s worth remembering that very few owners of old Land Rovers like these use them as a daily driver. One hundred twenty miles is probably more than enough for the occasional trip through town.

The battery pack supports 6.6 kW Type 2 charging and 60 kW DC fast charging, allowing it to be charged from 20-80% in 38 minutes. Eco, Traffic, and Off-Road driving modes have also been incorporated, and new electric power steering has been added.

“Series Land Rovers are beautiful, iconic machines,” Inverted founder Harry Millington said. “But let’s face it, not everyone wants to wrestle with a choke on a cold morning or breathe in exhaust fumes that waft through the car. Our electrified versions preserve everything people love about these classics while making them more fun, more reliable, and infinitely more usable.”

Just don’t expect this upgraded nostalgia to come cheap. Inverted’s conversions start at £150,000 (roughly $199,000), though that price does include the donor vehicle. For collectors or enthusiasts who want a cleaner, quieter, and more practical take on the classic Land Rover, it’s a steep price, but also a unique way to bridge past and future without losing the charm of either.

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