The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is getting a 400bhp EV conversion

EV conversions tend to be wildly divisive, but one car we think is ripe for a modern powertrain is the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. British specialist Evice will soon offer just that, with the maiden prototype codenamed the ‘XP1’.

Evice began by underpinning the big cruiser with 800-volt architecture before slotting a pair of electric motors and a 77kWh battery on board. The result is 200 miles of range and 400bhp, which should cut the original 0-62mph of around 11s down to… far less than that, one hopes.

Elsewhere, the XP1 will also be treated to active suspension and better brakes. Combining this lot with the absence of any real noise should make for an even more relaxed driving experience.

Comfort aside, the other main reason people buy Silver Shadows is the cabin, filled with classy wood and textiles. Evice will make changes here too, installing electronically adjustable heated seats, a new climate control system, an upgraded audio kit and an infotainment screen, which supports smartphone connectivity and even has a reverse camera.

It’s not the only Rolls-Royce Evice is working on, with the Corniche - essentially a chop-top, two-door, rebadged version of the Silver Shadow - also being readied for testing under an as yet unknown name. Testing which has so far amounted to thousands of hours, probably because it takes half a day just to walk around the darn thing.

No word on pricing, but we do know production of the XP1 will begin in the first quarter of 2025, with initial deliveries scheduled for Spring 2026. Reckon this is exactly what the Silver Shadow needs to shrug off the wedding car duties and find a renewed purpose in life?