The classic Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow – synonymous with aristocratic purrs and double-parked grandeur – has been zapped into the future. Enter XP1, the first prototype from Evice, a British company that believes your vintage roller should be just as good at dodging carbon footprints as it is at dodging potholes.

Founded in 2023 by three British engineers who clearly have oil and nostalgia in their veins, Evice has set its sights on “remastering” heritage vehicles with a modern twist. And by modern, we mean electric. Don’t panic, purists – this isn’t some soulless swap job. The team at Evice claims their process is more “whispered love letter” than Frankenstein resurrection.

Gallery: Evice XP1 prototype

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Source: Evice

The XP1 – a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow prototype that’s gone full Tesla-but-with-tweed – is currently being tested. Sporting an in-house-developed 800-volt electric powertrain, this electrified shadow delivers a dignified 400 bhp. That’s enough to make the original 1960s engineers blush politely into their tea. And with a 77-kWh battery, Evice promises a respectable 200+ miles of range.

It’s not just what’s under the bonnet that’s getting attention. The XP1 comes with active suspension and beefed-up brakes to keep things gliding along in signature Rolls-Royce “cloud mode.” Modern conveniences also make an appearance, including heated and ventilated seats, whisper-quiet climate control, and a banging audio system with a hidden subwoofer. And for those who don’t quite trust their dimensions in tight spots, discreet reversing cameras are onboard.

More Rolls-Royce EV restomods:

1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II becomes 640-bhp retromod for SEMA

1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II EV conversion by Electrogenic revealed with 201 bhp

Evice’s philosophy is simple: what would Rolls-Royce have done back in the day if they’d had today’s tech? The result, they say, is a car that stays faithful to the spirit of the Silver Shadow but brings it up to date with modern performance, reliability, and actual brakes that stop you in under a week.

The XP1 is merely the opening act, though. Evice has confirmed that VP1 – the next iteration and presumably even snazzier – is scheduled to enter production in early 2025. Given the level of craftsmanship involved, we’re talking thousands of hours per car, with bespoke customisation that makes each one a unique masterpiece.

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