Classic Bentley goes electric with the Bensport La Sarthe E
![](https://www.cityam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210611_155717-1920x1080-1-scaled.jpg?w=742)
Bentley coachbuilder Bensport has unveiled an electric version of its classic looking La Sarthe model. Christened Le Sarthe E, the car replaces a 4.5-litre straight-six with an EV powertrain sourced from Advanced Electric Machines (AEM).
Mated to a 54kWh battery, Bensport reckons the electric car should be able to travel up to 200 miles between recharges.
Like the petrol version, the La Sarthe E is built upon an original Bentley Mk6 or R-type chassis that is ‘meticulously reconditioned’. The bodyshell, meanwhile, is entirely hand-crafted by the Somerset-based coachbuilder.
![Bensport La Sarthe E](https://www.cityam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/unnamed-4-1-960x540.jpg)
Bensport produces ‘two or three cars a year’, a spokesman told Motoring Research. The firm could not provide a projection for how many La Sarthe E vehicles it plans to build.
The petrol-powered La Sarthe costs £500,000, including the donor vehicle. It is likely that the electric version (seen in render form above) will be similarly priced when it goes on sale this week.
![Bensport La Sarthe](https://www.cityam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210611_155952-1920x1080-1-960x540.jpg)
“When we created the La Sarthe, we wanted it to optimise elegance, refinement and dynamism, said Bob Perry, managing director of Bensport.
“Our La Sarthe E takes this ethos to a new level, offering an almost silent drive, while also drawing our focus to sustainability.
![Bensport La Sarthe](https://www.cityam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210611_155627-1920x1080-1-960x540.jpg)
“We’re delighted to be working with AEM to integrate what we believe to be the world’s most sustainable electric motor in the La Sarthe E as a statement of our intent.”
Look out for a review of the petrol-powered La Sarthe on City AM later this summer.
Daniel Puddicombe writes for Motoring Research