Re-engineering company Lunaz Design is having another crack at its Aston Martin DB6 formula with a new, ultra-sustainable take on the classic coupe.
Lunaz Design specialises in comprehensively restoring classic cars and fitting them with electric powertrains.
Previously, Lunaz Design released an Aston Martin DB6 that runs exclusively on electric power.
Now, the UK-based company has gone over the DB6 with a fine-tooth comb, replacing most interior materials with an environmentally friendly alternative.
For now, the effort remains a design study, but the company claims all innovations are production-ready, with some even featuring on past Lunaz products.
The upcycled DB6 is powered by a 279kW modular electric drivetrain that features a Combined Charging System (CCS) with fast-charging capability.
Range is claimed to be 410 kilometres while the exact battery size is unconfirmed.
Designed entirely in-house, the powertrain is made up of “European-sourced Tier 1 OEM” motors and battery cells. All Lunaz vehicles feature batteries that can range in size from 80-120kWh.
Moving to the interior, we find that Lunaz has replaced plastics, leathers and fabrics with sustainable alternatives.
Elements of the dashboard, the gear shifter and three-quarter glass handle are now created from a biodegradable composite, replacing the traditional plastic item.
The composite is made from egg and nut shells bound by a biodegradable matrix. Lunaz Design claims the material can replicate a range of luxury materials and is 100 per cent natural.
Gone are the old door cards, with the new items being made from a bio-based polyurethane fabric. The new fabric is made from plant-based materials such as corn and wood-based fibres. This material is multi-layered to increase strength and decrease the total amount of material needed.
Various leather elements are now effectively made from cider. Lunaz uses apple pomace, a bi-product of cider and juice production and water-based polyurethane with a wool backing to replicate the texture of premium leather.
Traditional fabric has also been replaced with a sustainable alternative that adorns high-wear areas of the interior. The new fabric is composed of 66 per cent post-industrial recycled cotton, 27 per cent polyester, 6 per cent rayon and 1 per cent nylon. Lunaz claims the fabric is also completely free of harmful ‘forever chemicals’.
For areas of the interior that do not experience intense wear, Lunaz engineers utilised a fabric made from 54 per cent recycled polyester, 35 per cent new wool and 11 per cent nylon. The fabric is designed to feature a ‘knitted’ appearance and adorns the lower seat flutes.
Recycled carpets and fishing nets are used to create a regenerated nylon with a backing made from recycled plastic bottles, and is used for the car’s floor mats.
To round off the clinical approach to upcycling applied by Lunaz Design, the world’s lowest carbon leather is used to upholster the seat bolsters, flute accent, transmission tunnel and parcel shelf.
The company claims the emissions generated in the manufacturing process of low-carbon leather is around 30-50 per cent lower than the industry standard. The leather itself is a product of the meat industry and is 100 per cent biodegradable.
Lunaz Design’s mission is to create sustainable motoring solutions to keep these classic cars on the road.
“As this magnificent [Aston Martin] DB6 shows, we can create authentic, truly luxurious interiors worthy of the most famous marques using materials with the smallest possible environmental impact. These are very exciting times for us, our clients and our industry,” said founder David Lorenz.
Founded in 2018 and named after David Lorenz’s daughter, Lunaz counts among its investors David Beckham.
Previous re-engineering projects by the company have included the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Cloud, Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150, and the S1, S2 and S3 Bentley Continental.
David Lorenz’s vision is for new generations of enthusiasts to be able to enjoy classic cars, particularly in markets where societal attitudes and legislative requirements are making classic car ownership harder than before.
“For Luna, my daughter, not to have access to a car like the Mercedes-Benz 190SL when she is of driving age would be a tragedy. Without building Lunaz, this is the reality she faces,” said Mr Lorenz.
