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Totem GT Electric gives an Italian icon a new electric life

The Totem GT Electric combines Italian design, 590 hp and a 500 km range in a carbon-fibre electric Gran Turismo

An Italian icon returns with a carbon-fibre body, rear-wheel drive and the performance of a modern electric supercar

Some cars appear to belong permanently to the past, while others continue to suggest new possibilities. The Totem GT Electric occupies this fascinating territory, combining the appeal of a 1960s Italian coupé with an electric powertrain capable of delivering contemporary supercar performance.

It is neither a replica nor simply a classic car whose combustion engine has been removed. Totem Automobili extensively rebuilds the vehicle, preserving its most recognisable proportions while transforming it into a two-seat Gran Turismo with a carbon-fibre body, rear-wheel drive and fully electric propulsion.

A familiar shape expressed through a new language

The silhouette immediately recalls one of Italy’s most admired classic coupés, with its long bonnet, compact passenger compartment and short rear section. A closer look reveals wider tracks, more defined surfaces and details redesigned to accommodate thoroughly modern performance.

Totem has not attempted to reproduce every feature of the historic model. Instead, the company has interpreted its personality, removing unnecessary elements and emphasising the simplicity of the original design. The result remains familiar and elegant, but its stance is stronger, wider and unmistakably contemporary.

Far more than an electric conversion

The historic vehicle provides only the starting point. Its structure is integrated into a carbon-fibre monocoque, combined with front and rear chassis sections machined from aluminium. The body panels are also made from carbon fibre, while the doors are reinforced with aramid fibre.

This comprehensive reconstruction allows the rigidity, safety and dynamic behaviour of the car to match the capabilities of its new powertrain. The GT Electric weighs approximately 1,490 kilograms, a relatively restrained figure considering its 81 kWh battery and the technology required for electric propulsion.

Electric performance without hesitation

The rear-mounted motor delivers 590 hp, with maximum output listed at up to 600 hp and torque reaching 900 Nm. Power continues to be sent to the rear wheels, preserving both the sporting nature of the car and the engaging driving experience Totem intends to provide.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes less than 2.9 seconds, while the maximum speed is electronically limited to 210 km/h. These figures completely alter the meaning of the classic body shape, placing the GT Electric among the most powerful electric restomods currently available.

Three settings change the driving personality

Power delivery is controlled through Totem’s DNA electronic management system, offering Dynamic, Normal and Advanced Efficiency modes. The driver can choose between a more immediate response, a balanced everyday configuration and an efficiency-focused setting.

The electric power unit integrates the inverter and a limited-slip differential, while the automatic transmission removes the need for a conventional gearbox. There are no gears to chase or engine speeds to manage, only instant torque controlled through the accelerator and delivered to the rear axle.

A range designed for more than short drives

The battery pack consists of twelve modules and has a total capacity of 81 kWh. Totem indicates a range between 400 and 500 kilometres, with approximately 470 to 500 kilometres possible when the car is driven at a regular pace.

Alternating-current charging is available through the onboard charger at up to 6.6 kW. For longer journeys, CCS direct-current fast charging can operate at up to 90 kW. The GT Electric is therefore intended not merely for brief appearances or static collections, but to be driven and enjoyed as a genuine long-distance Gran Turismo.

Suspension and brakes developed for the new performance

The chassis does not simply retain the suspension layout of the donor vehicle. Totem uses front and rear double-wishbone systems machined from aluminium and paired with ORAM dampers.

The Brembo braking system features six-piston aluminium monobloc callipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear. Ventilated and cross-drilled discs measure 355 and 345 millimetres respectively. The ABS system also offers twelve pre-programmed settings, allowing its intervention to be adapted to different conditions and driving styles.

An interior balancing classic atmosphere and modern detail

The cabin continues the dialogue between different eras. Its layout remains focused and intimate, with two seats, retro-inspired instruments and upholstery created according to the owner’s preferences. Materials, stitching and colour combinations can make every example distinctly personal.

Technology is present without dominating the surroundings. The infotainment system retains a vintage appearance while incorporating a 3.5-inch display, Google Maps navigation, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The audio installation is developed by Audio Development and carefully integrated into the interior.

Silence becomes part of the experience

The absence of a combustion engine soundtrack may initially appear to be a loss, particularly in a car inspired by a historic model. In the Totem GT Electric, however, silence takes on a different role. It makes the steering response, chassis movement and immediate acceleration of the motor easier to perceive.

The car does not attempt to imitate its mechanical past. Totem embraces its electric character and builds a new interpretation of speed and driver involvement around it. The decision may divide traditionalists, but it could also introduce a new generation to the enduring appeal of Italian automotive design.

Italian craftsmanship creates a personal automobile

Every GT Electric is developed through a configuration process covering colours, materials, seats, finishes and individual details. The intention is not to manufacture large numbers of identical cars, but to create examples that reflect the preferences and personality of each owner.

In this respect, the project has much in common with the world of custom-built yachts. Technology provides the foundation, while surfaces, leather and finishes establish the emotional connection with the object. The GT Electric represents a contemporary form of luxury focused less on display and more on the quality of the experience.

A new life that does not erase its memory

The Totem GT Electric demonstrates that electrifying a classic car does not necessarily mean replacing one engine with another. Its structure, dynamics, cabin and performance can all be reconsidered while preserving the strength of a design that remains instantly recognisable more than half a century later.

The debate surrounding the soul of classic cars and the value of their original mechanical components will continue. Totem answers it without relying on nostalgic compromises, creating a new, fast and silent Gran Turismo. It looks towards the future while continuing to carry the memory of Italian style.

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Totem Automobili

29 July 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
Totem GT Electric gives an Italian icon a new electric life
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The information in this article has been sourced from and adapted from official sources and/or press releases, in accordance with our editorial code of ethics.