Porsche “Blasphemy” from Sacrilege Motors – CleanTechnica

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There is an air of reverence and a whiff of blasphemy in its name: Sacrilege Motors.

Devoted to a different kind of automotive restoration, the Connecticut-based Sacrilege Motors has taken upon itself a polarizing yet undeniably compelling mission — to convert classic, air-cooled Porsches into bespoke electric vehicles.

One example, called the Enigma, was grabbing attention at the 125^th New York Auto Show, not only for its unique gray hue, wide fenders, and fat wheels, but more for the charging cord that plugged it into the grid.

CleanTechnica visited the Sacrilege booth at the NYIAS to check out the Enigma. Just by viewing the car internals (photos of which were not possible without prior notice), it was clear this isn’t just a powertrain swap; it’s a concours-level rebirth, a fusion of iconic Stuttgart soul with silent, instantaneous torque.

For a car culture devotee, especially one watching the global electric shift from a market like the Philippines, the work of Sacrilege is the kind of stuff that wouldn’t please purists but will excite Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB)’s Akira Nakai somewhat.

Led by CEO Phil Wagenheim and President/Chief Engineer Bobby Singh, Sacrilege Motors operates on a principle of meticulous preservation through evolution. Singh has decades of Porsche tuning experience. Another media person asked if they were building kit cars. Wagenheim countered saying that they are painstakingly disassembling, restoring, and electrifying genuine Porsche 911s from 1974 to 1994 — the very heart of the air-cooled era — and evolving, not merely converting, them to electric sports cars.

Their process is a delicate ballet of old and new. The original flat-six engine, the soul of the classic 911, is respectfully removed and crated, allowing the entire conversion to be, in theory, completely reversible. In its place, Sacrilege has engineered a state-of-the-art electric powertrain developed in partnership with UK-based specialists Fellten.

This is where the technical prowess truly shines.

The Fellten system is a “bolt-in” solution, ingeniously designed to utilize the original engine and transmission mounting points. This approach is critical, as it allows Sacrilege to achieve what it considers its holy grail: maintaining the near-perfect weight distribution that made the 911 a handling legend.

At the core of the conversion is a potent Tesla-sourced large-drive unit, tuned to deliver approximately 500 horsepower and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. This is a monumental leap from the original cars’ output, catapulting them into modern performance territory with a 0–60 mph time of under four seconds. Feeding this motor is a 62 kWh battery pack, strategically split between the front and rear of the vehicle to maintain that crucial balance. The result is a claimed range of around 200 miles (320 km), a practical figure for a weekend driver.

Sacrilege has integrated modern convenience with both AC and DC fast-charging capabilities, utilizing a Combined Charging System (CCS) port (with either Type 1 or Type 2 connectors) and making it compatible with the growing global charging infrastructure.

Sacrilege currently showcases two primary variants:

• The Blackbird: Based on the rare 1992 Porsche 911 America Roadster, this open-top model is the quintessential coastal cruiser, redefined. The triple-black launch car is a masterclass in understated aggression, its classic lines hiding the potent electric heart within.
• The Enigma: For those who prefer the iconic coupe silhouette, the Enigma offers the same electrifying performance in a hardtop package. Based on the 964-generation coupe, it provides a more focused, enclosed driving experience, a direct connection between driver, machine, and the road.

Beyond the powertrain, the technical upgrades are comprehensive. The chassis is reinforced to handle the instant torque, and the suspension is replaced with custom three-way adjustable units from the motorsport veterans at Penske Racing Shocks. Braking is handled by massive six-piston Brembo calipers, ensuring stopping power is more than a match for the newfound acceleration.

Inside the Sacrilege-reimagined 911 is swathed in hand-stitched Italian leather, yet the classic five-gauge layout remains. The tachometer now displays motor RPM, and the fuel gauge has been repurposed to show battery state of charge — a seamless blend of vintage aesthetic and modern function.

While the price of entry is astronomical, $850,000 for a completely restored Porsche or about $750,000 with an unrusted 911 provided. Sacrilege Motors is making a bold statement: that the future of classic motoring doesn’t have to mean the end of it.