This EV-Converted 356 Has A Manual Gearbox – Could It Be The Key To Retaining Driver Involvement?

It doesn’t matter where you sit on the whole “EV Conversion” debate; the fact that the vast majority of classic car “electromods” take a manual gearbox out of the equation means that a significant aspect of driver involvement is lost.

In a world where manual transmissions are becoming increasingly rare — even on ICE cars — one of the joys of classic motoring is the ability to row your way up and down the torque band with a stick shift.

But Electrogenic, known for their classic car conversions, may have just solved that problem. Their Porsche 356 features a four-speed manual. And not just some kind of simulated-shift concoction, their latest conversion utilizes the same classic ′box as found on the original.

The 356 is powered by Electrogenic’s Hyper9 brushless electric motor producing 120 hp (80 kW / 122 PS) and 235 Nm (173 ft-lb). Juice is stored in a 36 kWh battery that will hold out for 140 miles (225 km) before it needs recharging via the 15 kW onboard charger.

Read: Classic Citroen DS Gains An Electric Heart Thanks To UK-Based Electrogenic

How the retention of the gearbox works in this EV application is thanks to Electrogenic’s use of a lower RPM motor that spins to around 8000 rpm. The gauges have been reworked to show you the motor’s revs, while the motor itself gives you a decent amount of aural feedback, allowing the driver to anticipate gearshifts as you would with a conventionally engined manual car. You’re even able to “rev” the motors when in neutral, and it features a traditional clutch pedal.

Everything bar the drivetrain remains original too. The steering isn’t power-assisted, the windows are “keep fit” spec, the radio is the period-appropriate unit from Blaupunkt, and there’s no regenerative braking to mar the experience either.

How much does it cost? Well, expect to pay in the region of $40,000–$70,000 (£30,000–£50,000) for the conversion — and you’ll have to supply the 356 yourself, making this a far from cheap exercise. But the fact that there’s now a way to engage drivers just that bit more could mean that this classic Porsche could convert a few EV skeptics.

To watch more about how the Electrogenic 356 handles and performs on track, take a look at Rory Reid’s review below.