ECD Automotive Design specializes in restoring Land Rovers and improving them while carrying out the work. His latest creation is a revised Defender 110 convertible that the company calls Project Hutton. The construction has touches of Ferrari and Porsche. Plus, there’s a major power upgrade over anything a customer could buy from the factory.
Under the hood is General Motors’ supercharged LT4 6.2-liter V8. ECD does not specify power output, but the powertrain has 640 horsepower (477 kilowatts) as a crate motor. An eight-speed automatic transmission routes output through reinforced axles.
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Project Hutton’s exterior color is Porsche’s Frozen Blue. ECD pairs this with exposed metal elements on the front bumper brush bar, front grille and an exterior roll cage. Louvered panels decorate the side sills. The roof is white vinyl.
The Defender rolls on 18-inch 10-spoke wheels with 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. Behind them, the Brembo brake calipers are Ferrari yellow.
Caressa Silver Touch leather covers the cabin. It’s a stark white shade that will show all the dirt characteristics if the owner ever goes off road. Seat belts and Ferrari yellow dials add a splash of color. Behind the second row of seats, there is room for four other occupants in face-to-face jump seats. That means there’s room to carry up to eight people.
ECD also adds modern technology. There is now a Kenwood eXcelon infotainment unit. Music comes out of the Infinity Kappa speakers. Plus, there’s a wireless charger, four USB ports, and front and rear cameras.
In addition to building combustion-powered Defender restomods, ECD recently began building them with electric powertrains sourced from Tesla. Motor1.com had the chance to drive one and visit the production plant.
The Tesla-derived powertrain produces 450 hp (270 kW) and has a 100 kilowatt-hour battery. The setup moves a Defender to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in about 4.0 seconds. Range is approximately 200 miles (322 kilometers) depending on wheels, body style and customer customizations.
