Some classic cars never go out of style, and the Mercedes-Benz SL 'Pagoda' is right at the top of that list. More than 60 years after it first appeared, it's still one of the prettiest cabrios ever made. Now British electric conversion specialist Everrati is giving it a second act with a new electric car that's designed to be even better to drive – and much easier to live with.

The company has unveiled the Pagoda Riviera, the next generation of its electrified take on the iconic Mercedes, following the sell-out success of its original Pagoda programme.

Rather than simply refreshing what came before, Everrati says it's gone back to the drawing board to improve just about every area of the car. The new Riviera promises more power, more torque and a targeted weight saving of 150kg over the first-generation model, while also freeing up one thing owners will really appreciate – the boot.

That's because the original conversion sacrificed much of the luggage space, whereas the new car has been engineered to offer a full-size boot. That means there's finally room for a couple of weekend bags, or even a set of golf clubs, making the Riviera much more suited to the sort of long-distance touring the original Pagoda was famous for.

The Riviera name itself is a clue to the sort of life Everrati imagines for the car. Think sun-soaked coastal roads, leisurely weekends away and elegant waterfront destinations, rather than hiding away in a temperature-controlled garage.

Performance has moved on, too. Although the final specification is still to be confirmed, Everrati is targeting 252bhp and 393lb ft of torque, enough to cut the 0-60mph sprint to less than six seconds before going on to a top speed of 110mph.

Power comes from a 60kWh battery, which is expected to deliver a range of around 208 miles. DC rapid charging should take around 30 minutes, while a full charge from an AC charger is expected to take around nine hours. The car will also feature modern vehicle-to-load technology, allowing it to power external electrical equipment.

The improvements aren't just about charging and straight-line performance, either. Everrati says the Riviera benefits from a revised electrical architecture, improved thermal management and new vehicle control software. This is all aimed at making the driving experience smoother, quieter and more refined, while preserving the relaxed character that made the original Pagoda such a favourite.

Justin Lunny, Founder and CEO of Everrati, said, "The Pagoda is one of those rare cars that transcends the automotive world. It's elegant, understated and emotionally powerful. Our first-generation Pagoda demonstrated the appetite for a car that retains that timeless beauty while becoming more usable, more refined and more relevant to the way our clients live today. The Pagoda Riviera takes that idea much further: more performance, less weight and the practicality to be used as a true luxury touring car."

The new model also reflects Everrati's growing focus on customers in the United States, where demand for high-end electric classics continues to grow. Rather than creating cars that spend most of their lives tucked away in collections, the company says it wants to build classics that owners will actually use, whether that's for a weekend escape, a leisurely road trip or simply heading out for lunch.

There's still no word on prices for this latest Pagoda or exactly when the first customer cars will arrive, with Everrati saying more details on specifications, allocations and commissioning will be revealed in due course.

The Pagoda Riviera joins an expanding line-up of electrified classics from Everrati, which also includes the Porsche 911, Land Rover Series models and the Ford GT40.