A 1999 VW Reinvented as a Futuristic Porsche-Inspired EV Tribute

The Polo eDrive Concept

In a world dominated by performance EVs like Model S Plaid, Taycans, and Lucids, it’s easy to overlook the spark of innovation that can emerge from the least expected corners. Enter this incredible electric Volkswagen Polo—a radically reinvented 1999 ‘6N’ Polo from France that dares to ask, what if Porsche had built a city EV for 2025? What if tribute and emotion could power innovation? And more importantly, what if the humble Polo was actually the future of custom electric car culture?

This build was never simply about electrification for Julien Boyer and Mathieu Le Pallec; it was about legacy. In 2004, Julien and his close friend Mathieu lost their childhood friend Laurent Maman. Laurent had built a widely admired Polo RS show car—a minimalist showstopper with clean Porsche influences and a fan base across the European tuning scene.

After his passing, the duo made a decision that would take them on a six-year creative and emotional journey reimagining Laurent’s dream car as an EV: a Polo eDrive concept. “This eDrive Concept is a tribute to our best friend who died in an accident on July 4th, 2004, driving back from the 10th International Tuning Show in Belgium,” Julien explains. “We wanted to build the car Laurent would be driving now if he were still with us—something modern, creative, and electric. Something with a soul, and definitely not make it a museum piece. We’re showing it all over the world!”

The Smart Drivetrain

Tucked beneath the carefully reengineered frame lies the heart of the build: a complete electric drivetrain from a Smart ForTwo electric drive and special parts made by themselves. The team chose this compact yet capable unit for its adaptability and reliability, integrating it into the Polo’s monocoque structure using the Smart subframe. It’s compact, reliable, and surprisingly potent for city cruising, as it’s been boosted to 100 kW and 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) of torque. The battery pack powering it is a fully custom unit developed by Chinese energy specialists Lilead, designed specifically for this project with a dedicated BMS. It operates at 400 volts and is paired with a secondary 12V gel battery typically used in marine applications, also supplied by Lilead. The custom traction battery tops up at a tad under 25kWh and provides an, arguably optimistic, estimated range of 120 miles, which was, however, already forward-thinking when the conversion was completed in 2019. Remarkably, the battery pack is mounted beneath a newly fabricated flat floor, giving the Polo a completely smooth underside. “We had to cut the entire original floor out and rebuild it flat, just like on a new EV,” Mathieu explains. “It was part of the vision from the start.”

We didn’t want a serious show car. We wanted something joyful. A toy for grownups.

The complete re-engineering theme also enabled the integration of a custom charging port under a Porsche 996 fuel flap, integrated in the Polo front fender. The car is controlled using a unique paddle-shift setup, inspired by Porsche’s 997 PDK system, of which it borrows the steering wheel, painted in blue and wrapped in matching suede. One paddle for drive; the other for reverse. There’s no gear lever. In fact, there’s barely a brake pedal in order to promote the concept of regen braking and also because the car can be driven entirely via remote control. Yes, a freaking remote control! Directional inputs, suspension settings, window operation, lighting, and even audio settings can all be accessed via an RC unit.

On the outside, nearly every body panel has been transformed. The nose is a completely bespoke creation with welded fenders and a reshaped hood mimicking the 911 hood. The front also features 3D-printed LED headlight units inspired by the Porsche 918 Spyder prototype. The panoramic windshield flows into a glass roof, enhanced with solar cells. The body is framed by custom-molded arches and side skirts. The doors are now frameless, and the rear window, normally fixed, now rolls down. The mirrors are borrowed from a Cayman S. The taillights are hand-built and hide clever secrets: behind one is a cooling fan, and under the other a concealed 220V socket is coupled to the gel battery and a DC 12V to AC 220V inverter. The rear bumper? From a Boxster S, elegantly grafted to the body with no trace of its exhaust-hungry past. The wheels are staggered Porsche Boxster rims in 17×7 up front and 17×8.5 at the rear, wrapped in Nankang tires for grip. Braking comes from Porsche 944 Turbo calipers with custom plexiglass covers, designed to evoke futuristic regen systems. In the rear, a second set of calipers was installed for the electric handbrake function.

Inside the Future

The interior is equal parts concept car and Disneyland ride. Everything from the floor to the dashboard has been custom-built or heavily reworked. The dashboard and instrument cluster are adapted from a Porsche Boxster and custom-trimmed in a two-tone grey and blue scheme. They center the “pilot zone” visually and thematically. The binnacle itself is reshaped and fitted with digital screens displaying speed, solar input, and battery status. A playful Porsche-style logo overlays the solar gauge, and integrated software apps simulate regenerative braking and augmented reality features. It’s a futuristic setup with a twist: the main screen displays a visual tribute of the road Julien, Mathieu, and Laurent used to drive together, reinforcing the emotional heart of the project.

A pair of Porsche 996 front seats anchors the cockpit, now reupholstered in custom grey fabric and blue Alcantara. The iPad-style infotainment system is surrounded with Easter eggs galore. One of the most charming features is the built-in thermal printer hidden in the steering wheel cowl. When the driver steps in, it prints out a personalized welcome message. “It’s just another gadget,” Julien laughs. “One day we might link it to facial recognition. For now, it’s a fun way to say hello.”

The carpet? There’s not really carpet at all. Instead, it’s sound-deadening acoustic flooring typically reserved for recording studios, chosen both for aesthetics and for its noise-absorbing properties in an EV cabin. The rear bench is lifted from a VW Corrado and re-trimmed to match the front. Even the door cards are custom creations with integrated backlighting. All controls are animated. When the seatbelt is clicked, a simulated Wi-Fi system lights up to indicate ‘online’ mode. Lighting effects are playful and cartoon-like, a nod to Julien’s kids, who are big Disneyland fans. “We didn’t want a serious show car,” Julien says. “We wanted something joyful. A toy for grownups.”

A clever showpiece tucked in the trunk is a custom-built pedestal styled like a miniature EV charging stall. During events, Julien sets it up next to the car, where it holds an iPad that loops demo videos and displays project specs and making-of images.

The Art of Stance

To get the stance just right, Julien and team turned to AccuAir, fitting a full air suspension setup with Bluetooth control. Whether parked or driving, the Polo can squat low or lift up to clear ramps. Despite the visual drama, the ride quality remains plush thanks to precision tuning. “It drives better than most new city cars,” Mathieu adds. “And it turns more heads.”

The success of this tribute car rests on the talents of an elite group of specialists, many of whom worked nights and weekends for years to bring the car to life. Francis led the paintwork, Stephane handled the aggressive body mods, Samy engineered the complex lighting systems and bumpers, Olivier and Thomas sculpted the body design, Alex curated the interior, Sebastien developed the carbon fiber elements, and Jean-Paul designed the front lights. “We call ourselves the E-team,” Julien says. “Because this car is about more than just Electricity. It’s about Emotion, Elegance, and Evolution.”

The Polo officially debuted in 2019 at the European Tuning Showdown, where it made an impressive entrance—earning a remarkable third place and a special Jury Award. Since then, it has been showcased at major events across Europe, including V-Days France, the Essen Motor Show in Germany, and Players at Goodwood in the UK, consistently drawing crowds and admiration. The plan is to hit Worthersee, in Austria, another iconic European car-nut destination, and beyond next season, and a U.S. appearance is not out of the question.

Next?

“We’ve already started sketching the next one,” Julien admits. “We’re now working on a Fiat 500. It’ll be a step up in tech—real regen braking, bidirectional charging, maybe even HUD interfaces in the glass roof.”

Ultimately, the e-Concept is not even about electric propulsion. It’s about carrying forward the spirit of a friend, the passion of a generation, and the promise of an industry in transformation. This Polo is a piece of living art and a rolling tribute that doubles as a lab for experimentation. “It’s never finished,” Julien says with pride. “And it never should be. Because neither is the future!”

SPECS

1999 Volkswagen Polo eDrive Concept

Base Vehicle

• 1999 Volkswagen Polo (6N Generation)

Motor & Drivetrain

• Smart ForTwo electric drive motor
• Rear-wheel drive via Smart subframe integration

Battery System

• Custom-built Lilead lithium traction battery (~25kWh), 400V system
• Secondary Lilead 12V gel battery (marine-grade)

Charging

• 220V AC charging via custom port behind Porsche 996 fuel flap
• Solar panel integrated into panoramic roof

Body & Panels

• Bespoke front clip with 3D-printed Porsche-inspired LED headlights
• Custom panoramic roof with integrated solar cells
• Frameless doors, Porsche Cayman side mirrors
• Porsche Boxster S rear bumper
• Hand-fabricated taillights with integrated fan and hidden charge socket
• Smooth, flat-floor architecture with custom bracing

Suspension

• AccuAir air suspension system
• Bluetooth-controlled ride height adjustment
• Custom chassis modifications for stance and stability
• Brakes
• Porsche 944 Turbo front brake calipers
• Plexiglass covers mimicking futuristic regen setups
• Dual rear calipers: braking and electric handbrake function

Wheels & Tires

• Porsche Boxster staggered wheels
• Front: 17×7 – Nankang 165/40
• Rear: 17×8.5 – Nankang 195/40

Interior

• Porsche 996 front seats with integrated belts
• VW Corrado rear bench
• Boxster dashboard modified with touchscreen and custom graphics
• Custom door cards with backlighting
• Sound-dampening acoustic flooring from professional studios

Electronics & Features

• Drive/reverse paddle selectors (PDK-style)
• Remote control system for windows, lighting, suspension, and motion
• Built-in thermal receipt printer for personalized messages
• Animated lighting effects and visual interface
• iPad infotainment kiosk pedestal-style EV charger for show use
• Notable Contributors
• Julien Floyer, Mathieu Le Pallec (concept)
• Francis (paint), Stephane (bodywork), Jean-Paul (headlights), Samy (electronics)
• Olivier & Thomas (design), Alex (interior), and Sebastien (carbon components)

Photos by Cyril Cheval, The Rascals Cats, and Jerome Andre