Teslonda: This proves electric cars aren’t boring

This genius mechanic took the best part of a Tesla and combined it with his old school car and the results are amazing.

‘Teslonda’ electric muscle car.

Hoons revving their big-power engines may be a thing of the past in a world transitioning to electric cars.

But the late night burnouts and backstreet high speeds look set to remain.

That could be the conclusion after reading American enthusiast publication Road and Track, which featured an old Honda sedan modified with modern Tesla components in its latest issue.

The Teslonda combines an old school Honda with a Tesla electric motor.

Called the “Teslonda”, the mutant 1981 Honda Accord uses the electric motor from a Tesla Model S and the battery pack from a Chevrolet Volt (sold in Australia as the Holden Volt).

The magazine details the engineering efforts undertaken to turn the dying Japanese sedan into a dragstrip weapon — all without the oil-leaking challenges of fitting engines and gearboxes.

Instead of tuning and testing with exhausts, engine timing and air intakes, the tricks to make an electric drivetrain work in an old body involved software and data.

“The Teslonda is proof that enthusiasts should embrace the electrified future — the whole experiment feels fresh and breakneck and exciting,” writes author Kyle Kinard.

Due to its relatively lightweight body, Road and Track says the Teslonda accelerates faster than a Lamborghini Huracan and Porsche 911 GT3, two of the heroes of the supercar world.

It’s claimed to reach 60mph (96km/h) in 2.43 seconds, which is a few tenths of a second quicker than the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

“I wish every doubter could spend 10 seconds behind the wheel,” wrote Kinard. “The experience mimics that levitating-gut panic in the split second before you crash on a ski hill. It’s brilliant.”

Anyone who’s driven a Tesla will know they can accelerate with the sort of ferocity of supercar.

And manufacturers such as Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari and Lamborghini are all preparing upcoming cars that go faster courtesy of electric motors.

While batteries for long range electric driving are expensive, the electric motors are much simpler and cheaper than petrol engines, adding to their appeal for those who want a quick hit.

Already in Australia there are customisation and tuning workshops starting to cater for those wanting to improve the performance of their electric cars.

Modifications may involve basic suspension tweaks or electric motor and battery upgrades.

Another example of an electric car modification was when YouTuber Simone Giertz got sick of waiting for a Tesla ute and made one out of a Model 3 sedan.