- ECD Automotive fitted the off-roader with a supercharged V8 and a six-speed manual.
- Complementing the new 700 hp engine are Brembo brakes and new air ride suspension.
- The classic SUVs interior has been overhauled with brown leather and walnut wood trim.
For some, off-road capability is best measured in ground clearance and axle articulation. For others, it starts with a supercharged V8 and ends somewhere around 700 horsepower. If you’re in the latter camp, then this custom Land Rover from ECD Automotive Design might just be your dream truck.
The new Defender OCTA delivers a twin-turbocharged V8 with 626 hp, an impressive figure by any off-roader’s standards. Still, even that powerhouse doesn’t quite measure up to this unique build from ECD, which combines raw power with classic styling in a way that feels both nostalgic and uncompromising.
Over 700 hp and a Manual Transmission
Known as ‘Project Wilder,’ this special Land Rover is ECD’s most extreme off-road build. Immediately separating it from any modern equivalent is a V8 engine from GM, complete with a supercharger, allowing it to churn out more than 700 hp. This power is transmitted to the wheels through a six-speed T56 manual transmission, while a Borla Sport exhaust promises to make the soundtrack sound even more beastly than the OCTA’s.
Read: This Custom Defender Drops Its Top And Lets The Leather Do All The Shouting
In creating this vehicle, ECD stripped it back and coated the chassis in a special ‘Raptor Liner.’ It’s also been fitted with air ride suspension and has a set of high-performance Brembo brakes, a must-have for a big vehicle like this with so much power. The entire exterior has also been resprayed in Eastnor Green with Nara Bronze accents and matching 20-inch wheels, clad in BFGoodrich tires.
The interior of Project Wilder is perhaps even more impressive than the exterior or the powertrain. It has been comprehensively reworked and now features plush Buffalo Distressed Cuoio leather with honeycomb stitching and Sapele walnut wood trim. A set of Recaro seats has also been fitted, as has an Alcantara headliner and a new wood-rimmed steering wheel.
The tech has also been thoughtfully updated. ECD installed a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Focal speakers, two subwoofers, and a panoramic roof. Convenience features like power windows, reverse cameras, and blind spot monitoring round out the package, making this build as livable as it is powerful.
