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It's been almost 40 years since the last Triumph car was built but the iconic British sporting name could make a shock return with the unveiling of a reborn roadster featuring an all-electric heartbeat.

The marque famed for bringing us legendary models like the Stag, Spitfire and Dolomite has been revived this week in the shape of a reborn TR2 penned by London-based design house, Makkina.

Showcased at an event hosted on the Thames, the little-known company presented its TR25 concept - an open-top electric vehicle that's a modern twist on Triumph's fifties two-seater sports car.

And not only is it adorned with the illustrious British marque's badge that's been done with the express permission of BMW, which own the rights to the name today.

As well as giving the green light to the London company to produce the one-off vehicle, the German car giant has even provided the donor platform on which the concept has been built.

Underneath the TR25's jaw-dropping body is a BMW i3 S - its now-discontinued compact electric supermini.

This was identified an ideal starting point for Makkina to replicate some of the diminutive proportions of the TR2 that was produced by Triumph between 1953 and 1955, while also keeping BMW top bods happy.

It shares the i3's battery-assisted powertrain, which includes a rear-mounted 184bhp electric motor that is claimed to deliver 0-to-62mph in 5.2-seconds.

This rapid acceleration is achieved thanks to its lightweight construction, with the TR25 tipping the scale at a reported 1,095kg - almost 200kg less than the i3 on which it is based.

This helps to improve battery range too, which is estimated at 190 miles between charges.

Makkina - which is a non-public facing design consultancy that has some of the world's biggest car companies on its confidential client list - says its creation pays homage to arguably the most famous TR2 of all.

The modern shape and single-seat configuration replicates that of the 'Jabbeke' TR2 which broke the land speed record for production cars with engine capacities under two litres in May 1953.

That historic vehicle now resides in the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, having been bought in 2020 using a £250,000 National Heritage Memorial Fund grant.

'Today, 70 years after its record was secured and 100 years since the Triumph name first appeared on a production car, it returns to the headlines under a different name and sporting a new, modern design direction as the Triumph TR25 by Makkina,' the company said.

'With a deep-rooted commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, UK-based design house Makkina has created the TR25 to embody the record-breaking car's attributes in a contemporary way with realistic proportions that remain true to the Triumph brand.'

Its ultra-modern shape still manages to incorporate many of the main ingredients of the fifties sports car.

This includes its potential for a two-seat layout - with an optional flip-out jump seat for the passenger - and the 21st century twist on the TR2's frog-eye headlamps.

The LEDs display a '25' signature in a nod to Makkina's quarter-century anniversary this year.

And while the fifties original has conventional - if not very tiny - doors, Makkina's design team has replicated the deep-cut shape into a pair that scissor upward rather than open out.

New style features include a buttress behind the driver's head to provide roll-over protection in case of a crash and the London studio has also scrapped the TR2's wing mirrors in favour of a discreet rear-view camera so that it can retain the unfussy coachwork lines.

Even the 1950s Triumph badge has been given a 2023 upgrade.

Inside, the cabin is as minimalist as the exterior body.

Makkina says the cockpit 'aims to place the driver in a setting where there are no unnecessary distractions' to 'allow for the enjoyment of a pure driving experience'.

The seat is trimmed in blue leather to match that of the 1953 Jabbeke and there is very little in terms of controls and instruments.

The driver's display binnacle shows only speed, charge levels, and battery range while the rest of the vital information is displayed on the self-centering dial in the steering wheel where the occupant can access the different driving modes, data and navigation system.

Director at Makkina, Michael Ani, said: 'Our aim was to update the true character of the original record-breaking 'Jabbeke' TR2 with our design, through both interior and exterior design.

'Using the BMW i3S platform allows us to create a blend of old and new with the TR2-inspired body shape and the versatile and adaptable powertrain, creating a seamless, fully electric experience.

'The i3S platform proves that driving an electric car can be fun! The combination of instant torque, acceleration, agility and silence are as compelling now as ever.'

For now, the TR25 is purely a concept vehicle and there is no confirmation regarding whether the iconic British marque is to make a full comeback.