How’s that for a crossover: Sunreef Yachts, one of the leading eco-luxury yacht builders in the world, is turning its attention to 4x4s, albeit only temporarily.
Sunreef Yachts is a Poland-based shipyard that makes solar-powered luxury catamarans. As of mid-2020, Sunreef includes tennis champ Rafael Nadal on its client roster, after he took delivery of a custom Power 80 cat, with a 12-guest capacity and an estimated price tag of $5+ million.
Under the supervision of Sunreef President and founder Francis Lapp, the shipyard has built a one-off, all-electric custom Land Rover Defender with a solar-powered roof. More admirably though, the custom vehicle has been donated to Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) in a push for more sustainable tourism in Africa.
Safari, but make it green. According to Sunreef Yachts, the vehicle was purchased in the UK and then converted by the shipyard’s mechanical and R&D teams. Lapp himself is a car enthusiast and has experience with customizing many 4x4s, so he took a personal interest in the project, ultimately becoming directly involved.
The one-off custom EV keeps the instantly recognizable Defender base, but is decidedly more open-air. The enclosed back was removed and the entire upper part has been restyled. The roof is now covered in solar panels, and the hood hides a sizable battery bank to match the demands of the savanna. The “state-of-the-art” motor and related tech are the same as those used on Sunreef’s Eco catamarans. Think of this 4x4 as of a solar-powered electric catamaran, but on land.
“The definition of responsible travel that the trust promotes is one of a kind and I feel Sunreef Yachts shares the same philosophy,” Lapp says. “The Sunreef Yachts Eco technology designed for yachts is now applied to an electric car. I am happy to witness this evolution and am confident it will lead to more exciting projects.”
The MWCT will be deploying the EV at eco-luxury lodges Campi Ya Kanzi and Chyulu Wilderness Camp.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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