KALMAR 7-97 E-VOLT IS REVOLUTIONIZING CLASSIC AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN
The Kalmar 7-97 E-Volt is a Porsche 964-generation 911 restomod that replaces the original flat-six with a refurbished Tesla Model S electric drivetrain, producing 414 hp and 600 Nm of instant torque. Built by Kalmar Automotive using their Evergreen philosophy, each of the 12 units produced per year is a fully bespoke commission, constructed from salvaged donor cars and sustainable materials, with pricing from 450,000 euros.
Tesla Power in a Porsche 911 Body
Kalmar Automotive describes its process as modern coach-building. The company sources donor 964-generation 911s that are no longer in running condition, restores and modifies the original steel structure, then builds an entirely new body using plant-fiber composite material made from flax. The flax-based bodywork replaces traditional carbon fiber with a material that absorbs CO2 during cultivation and offers comparable stiffness at lower environmental cost. Recast aluminium and reformed glass are used throughout, reducing the volume of new raw material required for each build.
The Tesla Model S drivetrain is fully refurbished before installation. Kalmar mounts the electric motor at the rear axle to preserve the 911's weight distribution logic, with a 63 kWh battery split between front and rear compartments for balance. The result is 0 to 62 mph in under four seconds and a range of up to 180 miles per charge. Critically, the conversion is designed to be reversible: should a future owner wish to return the car to petrol power, the modifications allow for that. HiConsumption confirmed the full specification and pricing, while Motor Authority reviewed the engineering approach in depth.
Design Details That Reference the 911R
The R-intake is one of the 7-97 E-Volt's defining exterior details. Its form references the legendary 1967 Porsche 911R, the lightweight competition variant that established the 911's motorsport credentials. Aerodynamic improvements from the new body and Kalmar's proprietary bonded glass design deliver 30 percent more front downforce and 20 percent more rear downforce compared to the standard 964, giving the E-Volt measurably better handling without altering the 911's fundamental character.
Inside, sustainable Scandinavian leather covers the seats and door cards. Semi-automatic air conditioning, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and an Apple CarPlay-enabled audio system sit alongside a level of fit and finish that reflects the car's commission price. The curb weight of 1,374 kg (3,029 lbs) keeps the power-to-weight ratio strong despite the battery installation.
A New Standard for Sustainable Restomods
The Kalmar 7-97 E-Volt sits at the intersection of two converging trends: the appetite for low-volume, bespoke restomod builds, and the shift toward sustainable materials and electric powertrains. The combination of provenance, craftsmanship, and environmental intentionality makes it one of the most considered restomods currently available, and one of the few that can genuinely claim to have reduced the environmental footprint of the donor vehicle rather than simply replacing the engine.
For those exploring what the restomod genre can achieve at the highest level, the Project M Ferrari 308 GTS Restomod and the Nardone 928 Porsche restomod offer different points of comparison. The Charge Electric Mustang shares the Kalmar's core philosophy: take a beloved classic, electrify it thoughtfully, and produce something that honours the original while pointing decisively toward the future. Browse the full curated car collection at TheArsenale for further bespoke and limited-production vehicles.
Photo: KALMAR AUTOMOTIVE
