The hand-built electric Bentley Blower Jnr has started on a 5,000-mile durability test in order to achieve road legality. But on the way to the Christmas party, it has to collect a Christmas tree.
Five thousand miles. Three continents. Handling. Real-world mileage. Seatbelt testing. This is what the Bentley Blower Jnr will have to go through to become road legal.
Inspired by Team Car No. 2, the most famous Bentley in the world, the 85 percent scale recreation of the 1929 4 1/2 liter Supercharged Bentley is the result of collaboration between the company’s Heritage Collection and the Little Car Company.
The model is built around a 48V electric powertrain, which integrates a motor mounted on the rear axle. It generates 20 horsepower, which translates to a top speed of 45 mph (72 kph) in the United Kingdom and 25 mph (40 kph) in the United States, in order for the vehicle to be compliant with the US stricter legislation. Located in the hidden undertray, the battery stores enough energy for a range of 65 miles (105 kilometers).
The mission started with something appropriate for the season to be jolly. The two-seat car and driver must collect a Christmas tree from the snowy mountains of Switzerland.
Photo: The Little Car Company
Seven hundred components. This is how many make up the Blower Jnr. The model is exclusively crafted by hand, featuring details inspired by Team Car No. 2 and materials that are either identical or perfectly mimic the original ones.
Leaf springs and scaled-down period-correct friction dampers are on the menu, and so are the Brembo brakes at the front and the drums at the rear.
The team constructed the bodywork of the Bentley scaled model from two separate sections. The rear body is made of carbon fiber and covered in impregnated fabric just like the original. Meanwhile, the hood, sporting several cooling louvers, is made of aluminum, with sport buckled hood straps on the sides.
Five prototypes. This is how many are undergoing testing and check durability at the moment. It is the final stage before the Blower Jnr goes into production, with the number six in the making. The program includes real-world driving.
2024. That is when the model will go into production. For the vehicle to be compliant with the regulations, The Little Car Company team had to remove the sharp edges that would pose danger to other traffic participants. The experts also had to fit in occupant restraints, also for safety reasons.
The Little Car Company is getting busy. We have recently reported about a Ferrari Testa Rossa J exhibited at Harrods, in London, with multiple customization possibilities. There is no word on how customizable the Bentley Blower Jnr will be, but the model is not even in production yet.
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