Ever wanted a Bentley Blower but the original was too expensive and the 12-car continuation series too limited for you? We have good news as The Little Car Company just unveiled the Blower Jr., a handmade vehicle that is 85% the size of the original and comes with a fully electric powertrain.
Besides the smaller footprint and the different mechanical components, the Blower Jr. is a copy of the sought-after racing car from 1929 as it was created in collaboration with Bentley’s Heritage Collection. In fact, The Little Car Company got access to the £25-million original, in order to make its scaled EV copy as realistic as possible.
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The resulting vehicle measures 3.7 m (145.7 inches) long and 1.5 m (59 inches) wide, being smaller than your average supermini. However, the proportions mirror those of the original, as with the materials used on the bodywork and the interior. The bonnet is made of aluminum complete with a nickel-plated radiator and leather straps. The rear section is made of carbon fiber instead of ash wood, but it is covered by the same style of impregnated fabric. Furthermore, the First Edition is painted in the same green shade as the No.2 racecar, and proudly exhibits a pair of Union Flag stickers.
Inside, there is room for two adults seated one behind the other, with luggage space on the repurposed lockable fuel tank and optional weekend bags. The aluminum dashboard, Mulliner‘s Dark Green Lustrana Hide upholstery for the seats, and rope-bound steering wheel of the First Edition look like miniature versions of the original, even though some of the gauges and controls have been repurposed. Modern amenities include a Garmin navigation screen, a reversing camera, and a USB charging port.
The most notable difference compared to the original is the omission of the loud 240 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) supercharged 4½-litre engine. Instead, the Blower Jr. comes fitted with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 20 hp (15 kW / 20 PS). Actually, using the fuel pressure pump, you can choose between Comfort, Bentley, and Sport driving modes, unleashing 3 hp (2 kW), 11 hp (8 kW), or the full 20 hp (15 kW) of power respectively depending on your mood.
The tiny electric motor is enough for a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) in the EU/UK, which is limited to 25 mph (40 km/h) in the US due to regulations. On the other hand, the floor-mounted 48V battery offers a range of 65 miles (105 km) between charges. Note that the model is street-legal in the UK, EU, and USA, which means that you can drive it as a daily as long as you can live with its roofless nature and less-than-average performance. In case you didn’t notice, the charging port is located at the front, inside the fake supercharger housing. The Blower Jr. is based on a steel frame, featuring leaf springs and period-correct friction dampers. Stopping power is taken care of by Brembo brakes at the front and rear drums.
The miniature Bentley classic which is described as “the most sophisticated city car ever built” will make its first public outing at the Monterey Car Week. Production of the Blower Jnrl by The Little Car Company will commence in the second quarter of 2024, with the 99 First Edition models. You can learn more about the Blower Jr. on the dedicated website.
