Halcyon Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow electric restomod revealed

Late last year, we reported on a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow transformed into an electric vehicle by British electric-powertrain specialist Evice Technologies. It sounded genuinely intriguing, promising a full 800-volt electrical architecture and a 400bhp electric motor.

Halcyon Rolls-Royce electric restomods

There has now been further progress, and everything we have heard appears positive. Evice has introduced a new marque for its restomodded Rolls-Royces, which will now carry the name Halcyon. The company has also published images of a handsome 1978 Corniche currently being built, while confirming that production will be restricted to only 60 “unique commissions”. Naturally, that wording suggests a considerable price.

The programme begins at £395,000, excluding the donor Corniche or Silver Shadow. Local taxes will also need to be added. In practical terms, that is roughly the sort of money you might spend at Rolls-Royce on a newly specified Phantom.

Still, Halcyon puts a notably serious amount of work into each restomod. Its powertrain is said to have completed a three-year development and test programme, while every car will require 12 months to create. More than 1,000 hours of that time will be devoted to restoring the bodywork alone. Crikey.

That particular car does look splendid, though. Reduced to its bare-metal chassis, it has been reconstructed with immaculate panel gaps, resprayed in a striking purple finish and fitted with hand-crafted chrome bumpers. Bespoke Halcyon headlamps are also due to be installed soon.

Corniche cabin technology and restoration

We have not yet seen photographs of the Corniche’s cabin, but Halcyon says it will be reworked with a hidden infotainment display, a bespoke sound system and fully fledged climate control. Cruise control will feature too, alongside electrically adjustable seats that offer both heating and ventilation. The dashboard can even be converted into a “dedicated space for bespoke art pieces” – much like that of the current Phantom.

“The original exterior was so close to perfect that we took a ‘less is more’ approach and made only subtle refinements,” says Halcyon COO Charlie Metcalfe.

“The real opportunity lay inside, where we integrated the very best technologies with a design language inspired by the best of British automotive heritage to create an interior that does justice to the exterior’s timeless elegance. We can’t wait to reveal the full interior design later this year.”

Halcyon Corniche battery, range and performance

The complete powertrain specification has now been revealed. In December, Halcyon had indicated a 77kWh battery and a 200-mile range, but a second battery choice is now available. Halcyon says an additional pack can lift capacity to 94kWh, allowing more than 250 miles on one charge. With its 800V system, recharging should also be suitably swift. This could therefore be a truly practical electric restomod.

It should also outpace a standard Seventies Corniche, despite the original car’s 6.75-litre V8. The electric setup employs a rear-mounted motor, now claimed to deliver between 400 and 500bhp, depending on how many hot hatches its owner wants to dispatch in the traffic-light Grand Prix. Fortunately, it also gains uprated brakes, an active suspension system and ‘Drive’, ‘Spirited’ and ‘Touring’ driving modes.

Halcyon also offers a “bespoke options programme” for anyone keen to spend still more, and has confirmed that it is accepting holding deposits from prospective buyers seeking one of the 60 build slots.

So, would you spend your £400k on a reborn Corniche/Silver Shadow, or on a new Phantom?