EEV Sprite SE
Coming soon
You might not be the first to own an EV, but you can be the first to own one like this.
Brand-new yet classic. Iconic yet never seen before. Timeless yet way ahead of its time. Rich in history while writing its own. The new EEV Sprite SE is an electric vehicle like no other – and we can’t wait for you to experience it.
We have a unique story.
An unrivalled passion.
And all the experience and expertise needed to transform classic cars into cars fit for a new age of motoring. Those that stand out way beyond a standard production vehicle. Bespoke, unique creations that you are proud to own and love to drive. It’s about making memories and creating exceptional experiences, in the very best way – behind the wheel of an all-electric Sprite SE.
Meet the Team
Eales has more than 25 years’ experience of running, investing in and advising entrepreneurial and private equity backed businesses. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Eales moved into the direct investment arena, at private equity house, LDC. He joined the Board in 1995 and became Chief Executive in 2003. During his 11 year tenure as CEO, LDC grew significantly to become the UK leader in mid-market private equity and invested over £2.6 billion in more than 150 businesses. Since 2014, Eales has focussed on direct investment and presently owns Solihull Moors Football Club, Alycidon Capital (a specialist engineering group) and Debrett’s, as well as being Chairman/shareholder in a variety of private businesses, including property development, sports car refurbishment, tyre replacement and online sportswear. Eales has a wide variety of interests including promoting entrepreneurship and is Chairman of E2Exchange and a trustee of Walking with the Wounded. From 2010-2012, he was Chairman of the Marussia F1 team.
John Birkin Watson was born with automotive fire in his veins, bestowed by his parents with a middle name paying tribute to distant relation Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, one of the legendary Bentley Boys from back in the 1920s. His passion for cars – in particular the Lotus 7 – encouraged him to build his own 7, a labour of love which resulted in further interest from se7en enthusiasts in his adopted home of South Africa. Although Watson had no intention of turning his hobby into a business, such was demand that Birkin Cars was created. The first Birkin, finished in iconic John Player Special livery, was unveiled by Hazel Chapman, widow of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, with race team drivers Nigel Mansell and Elio de Angelis present during the South African Grand Prix. Over the following years, Birkin earned an enviable international reputation for craftsmanship and quality and thousands of cars have been sold worldwide. Watson relinquished the manufacturing part of the company to new owners in 2015 and now, looking for a new challenge, brings his proven expertise in low volume sportscar production and marketing to Piper EV.
- Pete left motorsport and went on to serve in the HRM Armed Forces.
- The love of cars and racing called him back to motorsport, where he has had an impressive 30-year career.
- Pete has worked with teams competing internationally in categories such as F1, A1GP, F3, World Sportscars, Le Mans, and Super Tourers in Japan.
- Currently a Director / Shareholder of Black n Rounds, Pete will be the man making sure our cars are built with world class quality and care. Some of the high-profile teams Pete has worked for are listed below.
Alan Docking Racing
Status Grand Prix
Arrows Formula 1
TC Prototypes
Zeus Motorsport
Goodridge
Celso is a highly qualified Motorsport Engineer with a unique combination of skills and capabilities. He completed his degree at Oxford Brookes University.
Some of his overall experience and skillset includes Complete Vehicle Integration, Data software systems, Vehicle dynamics, and Rapid prototyping.
Before starting Acur8 Engineering, Celso held the position of Principal Control Systems Engineer at Delta Cosworth.
He has also worked for Jaguar Land Rover as a Controls & Calibration Engineer, and earlier on in his career as a Control Systems Track Support Engineer for Force India F1 and EM Motorsport.
Celso will be engineering all our production vehicle Electric and Electronic Systems.
Our Mission
Our mission is to re-create electric versions of the most magical and charismatic classic cars of yesteryear to meet the needs of the 21st century drivers and contribute to a sustainable future.
Frequently Asked Questions:
EEV’s mission is to re-create the most magical and charismatic classic cars of yesteryear to meet the needs of the 21st century drivers and contribute to a sustainable future. Some cars have a rich history, some have outstanding design, some have unique character, and some have a joyful personality. Very few – aside from the iconic Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite – possess all those attributes, most of which are sadly missing in so many modern cars. The immortal Frogeye is the essence of great design in that it never fails to put smiles on faces. Capturing that true spirit, the EEV Sprite SE will have instant appeal and masses of street credibility. It will be a fun car that you will want to own.
As any classic car enthusiast will tell you, owning a British sportscar from the fifties and sixties is full of hardship and compromises. Old cars are compromised in terms of design, chassis dynamics, comfort, ergonomics, materials, and weight. They are also prone to decay and fatigue. New age technologies allow us to create a significantly safer, better performing and more environmentally friendly alternative. By combining the latest engineering under a classic bodyshell we achieve the very best of both worlds: a dynamically modern car with classic heritage and lovable appeal. The EEV Sprite SE in not specifically aimed at classic car enthusiasts looking for a beautifully restored original car; it is for a new generation of owners seeking a cool, fun car with plenty of personality coupled with a great driving experience. What’s more, as it is electric, it is car that peer groups will permit you to own.
Speeding up the manufacturing process, EEV has acquired moulds, tooling and drawings originated by the highly acclaimed Frogeye Car Company that was based on the Isle of Wight. It produced an updated version of the Mk1 Sprite that was so perfect that Geoff Healey, son of Austin Healey founder Donald, allowed them to use the Healey name. Maximising state-of-the-art technologies, the Electric English Sprite will benefit from a lightweight glass-fibre body to ensure competition car levels of roadholding and agility. The body will be fitted to a strong and stiff, steel monocoque chassis boasting modern independent front and rear suspension, with disc brakes all round – a huge step forward from the chassis dynamics of an original Sprite.
Diehard petrolheads might be in denial but the future of motoring is decarbonised. Indeed, many countries such as the UK will only permit new electric cars from 2030. Moreover, there are ever-increasing economic advantages to owning an electric car and batteries offer levels of performance that are far more suitable to the modern world. With a sub-800kg kerb weight and around 100bhp of instant propulsion, the EEV Sprite SE will offer 0-60mph acceleration in under eight seconds and a more than acceptable top speed of 100mph. For the record, an original Sprite had a top speed of just 82mph and took more than 20 seconds to accelerate to 60mph.
With 36 kWh of energy available from its 300V battery, the power source will offer a range of at least 120 miles between recharges – in other words, more than enough for the average journey in a classic car.
As applies to any electric vehicle, battery life will depend on usage but, if looked after correctly, batteries will last for more than 10 years. From empty, a full charge should take no longer than four hours.
To ensure exclusivity, we will only be marketing 200 EEV Sprite SE – each one hand-built to meet the bespoke needs of the owner and allocated its very own chassis number. These will be produced over a three-year period.
Every EEV Sprite will be unique, finished to each individual purchaser’s own distinct tastes allowing them to put their own mark on their very personalised car. Owners will be offered wide choices of colours, fabrics, trim details, luggage, wheels, hoods, and a range of other options, allowing them the excitement of stylising their very own tailor-made EEV Sprite SE.
The initial plan is for right-hand-drive models built for the UK market. However, there are no technical reasons why left-hand-drive models cannot be engineered should overseas demand exist.
Pre-orders are available and chassis numbers can be reserved, with the first cars being available early in 2024.
In support of EEV’s mission to re-create the most magical and charismatic classic cars of yesteryear to meet the needs of the 21st century drivers and contribute to a sustainable future, it will be producing other similarly characterful and joyful cars.
Contact us
Please get in touch to find out more about Electric English Vehicles or to start the process of pre-ordering your EEV Sprite SE.