E.C.D. Automotive Design Marries Old and New with Two Fully Bespoke Tesla-Powered Original Defender 110s  

The world’s largest Land Rover restoration company showcases its electrified off-roaders — the first of their make to be fully rebuilt on U.S. soil 

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (February 1, 2022) – E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.), the nation’s largest and leading authority in luxurious, custom-rebuilt vintage Defenders and classic Range Rovers, announces the completion of two jaw-dropping, Tesla-powered electric Defender 110s. These decades-old, U.K.-imported work vehicles underwent E.C.D.’s detailed, customization journey, personalized down to the color of the upholstery stitching and restored from the ground up with a modern electric engine and quality upgrades – all while preserving each old Defender’s nostalgic look. Reborn as Project Morpheus and Project Britton, these refined, one-of-a-kind classic Defenders are the first of their make to be fully rebuilt in-house on U.S. soil. A true performance luxury vehicle, both custom Defenders sport a 450 horsepower Tesla engine that can reach 0-60 mph in five seconds and drive for over 220 miles on a five-hour charge.

“At the end of the day, we’re doing this with deep love of older Defenders and a passion to keep them on the road by modifying them to fit into our client’s lives,” E.C.D. Co-Founder Elliot Humble said. “Whether it takes figuring out how to engineer an electric engine into a restored Defender or color-matching the paint to match a favorite shirt, our world-class team can breathe life to our clients’ wildest dreams.”

With E.C.D. Air Ride Suspension, performance BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A All Season Tires and upgraded axles, Project Morpheus promises a smooth and silent ride over roads and rough terrain. To complement the deep Arles Blue exterior paint and Chawton White hard top roof, the build features a black Front Runner roof rack with four LED spotlights, a classic black Land Rover mesh grille and black full-length side steps. Inside, passengers sit on seats hand-stitched in black and caviar Garrett Torino leather with single horizontal stitching. The build has two heated Classic Puma front seats, two Exmoor Trim middle seats, and two forward-facing jump seats in the back. The caviar black leather wrapped Puma dashboard, custom E.C.D. center console and Evander Wood steering wheel round out its superb interior. Other modern upgrades include a Kenwood Excelon Radio, JL Audio sound system, four USB ports, Bluetooth, blind spot assistant, back up camera and rear AC vents.

Project Britton takes on a completely different vibe with its breezy baby blue hue and custom OEM sunroof. Painted in a glossy Cool Khaki Grey with an Alpine White roof and silver accents, Project Britton rides on 18-inch Hawke Osprey Design in silver wheels and BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires with adjustable E.C.D. Air Ride Suspension and high-performance Brembo brakes. Its exterior accessories include a Heritage style grille, swing-away wheel carrier, sidesteps with SVX silver inserts and Front Runner roof rack and ladder. The stunning exterior is complemented by gorgeous sand beige Porsche Nappa leather wrapped around heated and ventilated Recaro Expert S seats. Its classic Evander Wood wheel is a vintage touch to contrast its custom E.C.D. electric gauges.

 

Project Britton’s most unique feature is the teak wood flooring in the cargo area. A matching teak wood storage bench with an upholstered lid sits beside the two inward-facing jump seats – allowing for ample storage space while traveling. Premium modern features include Alpine Floating Halo infotainment system with Bluetooth, WiFi, remote start, blind spot assistant, backup sensor, front and backup cameras, three wireless charging pads and more.

These electric Defenders are not E.C.D.’s first foray into custom electric conversions, having unveiled the world’s first electric Range Rover Classic, Project Ski, in 2021. Electric Classic Cars (ECC), E.C.D.’s U.K. partner and Europe’s leading expert in classic car conversions, sources the Tesla drivetrains.  The E.C.D. electric lineup is 50 state compliant. For more information on how to build your own vehicle, please visit ecdautodesign.com.

 

Project Morpheus Specifications

Additional high-resolution images and video are here [Uproar to hyperlink once available].

Project Morpheus vehicle showcase on E.C.D. website is here [Uproar to hyperlink once available].

 

Model — D110

Engine — Tesla Direct Drive EV Powertrain, 100kWh Battery Pack, 450 Brake Horsepower Motor

Axles – Strength with Limited Slip Differentials

Suspension — E.C.D. Air Ride

Brakes – Stock

 

Exterior

Paint Color — Arles Blue

Roof Top Color – Chawton White

Wheels — 18” 1983 Kahn Wheels in Chawton White

Tires — BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A All Season Tires

Grille – Black Mesh

Bumper — Classic with DRLs

Side Steps – Full Length Rubber Checkers in Black

Front Lights – 4 Round LED Spotlights 

Work Lights – 2 LED Spotlights in Rear 

Additional Features — Swing Away Wheel Carrier, Rear NAS Bumper Step, Front Runner Roof Rack and Ladder

 

Interior

Seat Layout – Puma 8

Front Seats — Puma Classic, Heated

Middle Row Seats – 2 Exmoor Trim

Load Area Seats – 2 Forward-Facing Jump Seats

Leather Color — Garrett Torino Bark, Garrett Torino Caviar

Seat Design – Horizontal Single Stitch

Carpet – Black, OEM All Weather Mats

Steering Wheel — Evander Wood Wheel

Gauges — E.C.D. Electric Gauges

Dash Style – Wrapped in Torino Caviar with Black Stitch

 

Audio & Electronics

Infotainment — Kenwood Excelon with Bluetooth

Sound System — JL Audio Speakers, Kenwood Subwoofers

Additional Features — Blind Spot Assistant, Back Up Camera, Rear AC, USB (2 Front and 2 Rear)

 

 

Project Britton Specifications 

Additional high-resolution images and video are here [Uproar to hyperlink once available].

Project Britton vehicle showcase on E.C.D. website is here [Uproar to hyperlink once available].

 

Model — D110 

Engine — Tesla Direct Drive EV Powertrain, 100kWh Battery Pack, 450 Brake Horsepower Motor

Axles – Stock

Suspension — E.C.D. Air Ride 

Brakes – Brembo Brakes 

Additional Features — Front OEM Sunroof 

 

Exterior 

Paint Color — Cool Khaki Grey with Gloss Finish 

Roof Top Color – Alpine White

Wheels — 18” Hawke Osprey in Silver  

Tires — BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A

Grille – Heritage Style Grille

Bumper — Classic with DRLs and Winch

Side Steps – SVX Silver Inserts

Work Lights – 2 Hella 500 Series Lights

Additional Features — Swing Away Wheel Carrier, Rear NAS Bumper Step, Front Runner Roof Rack and Ladder

 

Interior 

Seat Layout – 2+2+2 

Front & Middle Seats — Recaro Expert S, Heated and Ventilated 

Load Area Seats — 2 Inward-Facing Jump Seats 

Leather Color — Porsche Nappa Black Schwarz and Porsche Nappa Sand Beige

Seat Design – Single Vertical Diamond Stitch on Mid-Inserts Only

Carpet – Black, OEM Rubber Mats

Steering Wheel — Evander Wood Wheel 

Gauges — E.C.D. Electric Gauges

Dash Style – Wrapped in Porsche Nappa Black Schwarz with Stainless Steel Fastenings 

Cargo Area Features — Teak Wood Flooring, Teak Wood Storage Bench with Lid Wrapped in Porsche Nappa Sand Beige

 

Audio & Electronics

Infotainment — Alpine Floating Halo with Bluetooth

Sound System —Infinity Kappa Speakers, JL Audio Subwoofers

Additional Features — Remote Start, WIFI, Wireless Charging (1 Front, 2 Center), USB (1 Front, 2 Center, 2 Rear), Blind Spot Assistant, Front and Back Up Camera, Back Up Sensor, Rear AC

 

About E.C.D. Automotive Design 

E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.) is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic English beauty with modern performance. Each vehicle produced by E.C.D. is fully bespoke, a one-off that is designed by the client through an immersive luxury design experience and hand-built from the ground up in 2,200 hours by master-certified ASE craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British “petrol heads” whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. E.C.D. Automotive Design’s global headquarters, known as the “Rover Dome,” is a 45,000 square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Florida that is home to 52 talented craftsman and technicians, who hold a combined 61 ASE and five master level certifications. E.C.D. Automotive Design has a second design studio located in Malibu, California.