custom car · EV · EV Conversion · EV SWAP ·

Land Rover—Evolved Power

Re-Engineered, Not Replaced

A Classic That Needed Finishing 

This Gen II Land Rover Defender came to us mid-journey.

It had already worked its way through a couple of shops that couldn’t get it across the finish line. When it arrived, major components were mounted — motor in place, batteries positioned, drivelines aligned. The fabrication was largely there.

But that’s not the hard part.

High-voltage wiring.
System integration.
Making multiple electrical architectures speak the same language.

That’s where most builds stall. That’s where we step in.

Having built more custom EV conversions than anyone around, this wasn’t about experimenting. It was about executing.

The goal wasn’t to make the Defender futuristic.
It was to make it better.

The Vision

The owner wanted to:

  • Keep the Defender’s character

  • Improve reliability

  • Add modern performance

  • Avoid unnecessary complexity

Classic Land Rovers are iconic, but they’re not known for mechanical consistency. An EV powertrain solves that.

Get in. Turn the key. Go.

No carb tuning. No cold starts. No guessing.

Why EV Makes Sense for Off-Road Classics

EVs are uniquely well suited to vehicles like the Defender.

  • Instant torque from zero RPM

  • Smooth, consistent power through the entire powerband

  • Fewer moving parts and failure points

  • Improved weight distribution opportunities

Powertrain Overview

Underneath the body sits a fully re-engineered system:

  • 220 kW motor (~295 horsepower)

  • All-wheel drive configuration

  • Custom motor mounting strategy for correct driveline geometry

  • NVH and long-term reliability prioritized

Most Tesla-based systems are designed for rear 2WD applications. This build required careful mounting and alignment to preserve drivetrain integrity and off-road capability.

This isn’t a “drop-in swap.”
It’s engineered integration.

Battery System & Packaging

  • 55 kWh Felton battery pack

  • 400V architecture

This pack size was selected deliberately — maximizing range without compromising aesthetics or adding unnecessary weight.

Battery placement required careful packaging to maintain:

  • Proper vehicle balance

  • Underbody protection

  • Long-term durability

Range matters.
Balance and durability matter more.

Charging & Daily Usability

  • 6.6 kW Level 2 charging for daily use

  • 70 kW DC fast charging capability

  • Approximately 30-minute fast charge sessions for road trips

Fast charging isn’t essential for commuting. But for a classic vehicle, it transforms usability. It allows this Defender to function beyond weekend drives.

Classic look. Modern practicality.

The Invisible Work

The part most people never see is what makes the vehicle feel OEM-plus:

  • 1 kW DC-DC converter

  • 70A 12V system

  • Integration with lighting, accessories, and safety systems

  • Custom Speedhut gauges for speed and battery state

From the driver’s seat, you only need two things:

How fast you’re going.
How much energy you have left.

Everything else can live in the laptop.

What Makes This Defender Different

This wasn’t just electrified.

It was engineered.

  • Clean routing and finish work

  • Serviceable architecture

  • Off-road readiness preserved

  • Land Rover driving feel retained

The heritage remains intact. The weaknesses don’t.

All-wheel drive.
Unmatched torque.
Modern reliability.

Same Defender.
Better underneath.

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