The initial step for this mammoth project is deciding where the motor will sit, and the Golf’s front-wheel drive layout dictated this had to be low down within the engine bay. “We had to rotate the drive unit 180 degrees for it to fit, which involved some internal modifications to the DU too,” Kit explains, “the motor mount is then designed and finalized, ready for fabrication.” eDub services with their partners, OPTO Innovation design, print, fold and paint their own steel motor subframes and use aluminum battery boxes, containing internal skeletons to house the batteries safely. This Tesla-swapped Mk2 Golf runs a small, formerly rear drive unit as found in a Model S or Model X rated down to 162bhp, 60% of its original power – though this can be adjusted to suit. The chosen unit itself is stripped and tested by Zero EV in Bristol where they install their own logic board. Being an EV there’s no need for a bulky gearbox.
- MOTOR: Tesla Model S/X 270bhp motor rated to 162bhp (60% power), motor rotated 180 degrees with internal modifications for FWD and mounted on a steel subframe
- CALB batteries (50% under hood/ 50% in the trunk), gas tank removed/ lowered trunk floor, custom drive shafts with Mk2 Golf stub axles, aluminum battery boxes, split battery pack at 350v, original 12v battery retained, custom control box for 12v circuitry with relays and fuses, electric power steering, additional cooling for drive unit and batteries
| Drivetrain Specs |
|---|
| Motor: |
| Tesla Model S/X Motor Large Drive Unit |
| Battery: |
| Custom Split Battery Pack Assembly with CALB Cells |
| Electronics: |
| Custom |
The ambitious endeavor of retrofitting an electric motor into the heart of a front-wheel-drive Mk2 Golf has demanded ingenious engineering and meticulous adaptation. The team’s commitment to innovation was evident as they ingeniously rotated the drive unit by 180 degrees, followed by internal modifications to accommodate it seamlessly. The end result—a Mk2 Golf transformed with a Tesla-derived powertrain—embodies both performance and sustainability. This successful integration illustrates the potential for electric vehicle conversions, proving that with expertise and determination, classic automobiles can be seamlessly reimagined for the electric era, all while eliminating the need for a conventional gearbox.
