British luxury automotive brand Halcyon has been remastering classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley models since it launched in 2023, but up until now its creations have all eschewed petrol power for fully electric conversions.
However, Halcyon’s latest reworked Rolls has certainly grabbed our attention as it’s the company’s first to retain the iconic 6.75-litre L-Series V8, although plenty of modern technology has been discreetly integrated alongside it to blend the old-world wafty feel with some new-age composure.
Dubbed the ‘Great Eight Series’, the revitalised V8 engine will be made available in just 60 one-of-one commissions worldwide, each of which are created in close collaboration with individual owners and hand-built in Surrey, England during a 5000-hour process that includes a bare metal restoration.
Produced for over six decades, the Crewe-built 6.75-litre engine powered many Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars during its time. While its power was once only ever described as “adequate”, Halcyon promises improved power and torque to improve its responsiveness and composure, although in keeping with tradition, no exact figures have been quoted.
The first vehicle to be completed in the series is a Rolls-Royce Corniche Fixed Head Coupe, finished in Arboretum Green and trimmed inside with open pore wood and tan leather.
In addition to its artistic interior finishes and meticulous retrimming, it also includes modern technology including a neatly-integrated touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s also cruise control, a reversing camera, climate control, and power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation neatly integrated into the otherwise classic vibe of its cabin.
The modern features don’t stop there, however, as it also benefits from modern chassis technologies including an adaptive suspension system with continuously controlled electronic dampers and three drive modes (Touring, Drive, and Spirited) which still preserve the signature cloud-like ride while adding a degree of modern composure. It also has upgrade brakes to improve confidence when making use of the V8 engine’s newfound mojo.
Of course, such exceptional craftsmanship demands a hefty price tag. Each ‘Great Eight Series’ build starts at £425,000 although that figure doesn’t include the cost of a donor vehicle or local taxes. For clients who don’t already own a donor car, Halcyon offers an acquisition service to source suitable vehicles.
The 60 V8-powered vehicles in this series will include 20 Corniche Fixed Head Coupe like the car you see here, along with 30 Corniche Drop Head Coupes and 10 examples of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow or Bentley T-Series.
