ECD Automotive Design, a pioneering force in bespoke automotive creation, has announced its latest endeavor: offering bespoke versions of iconic vehicles such as the Jaguar E-Type, Land Rover Defender, and Range Rover. The all-electric Jaguar E-variety options, featuring Tesla motors and batteries, are now available for ordering.
ECD Automotive Design, headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida, was founded by three British entrepreneurs who started with minimal experience in building cars, practically from scratch. Notwithstanding their affinity for select UK icons such as the Defender and Range Rover, this proved sufficient. More than a decade after its inception, ECD Automotive has solidified its position as one of the world’s premier manufacturers of bespoke Land Rover designs.
Their unparalleled commitment to delivering exceptional quality, luxury, and a relentless dedication to catering to every client’s whim has fostered a loyal following of repeat customers, with some purchasing two or even three custom-made vehicles. Unique architectural masterpieces that inspire awe and wonder.
Since we haven’t had a chance to review their portfolio, we recommend visiting their storefront in person? At the time, we had the opportunity to pilot a bespoke Land Rover Defender D110, equipped with an electric motor and battery from a Tesla Model S.
While ECD’s experience in building electrified Land Rovers is relatively recent, customer demand has been growing significantly. Now, ECD Automotive is introducing its latest venture – customized Jaguar ESport cars, with the first one being a pioneering all-electric model.
Revving up: Electric Jaguar E-Type Sprinting Quickly
ECD Automotive Design is now accepting orders for both the Coupé and Roadster variants of its retro-inspired Jaguar E-Type sports car, as announced in a recent press release. The first restored mannequin is currently being manufactured and will be equipped with a Tesla-powered drivetrain as mentioned earlier. Tom Humble, co-founder of ECD, discussed the appeal of the classic sports car and how it aligns with the company’s brand identity.
What drives enthusiasts’ passion for classic cars is the thrill of reviving timeless automotive treasures, sparking a sense of nostalgia and fuelling their appetite for the future of our beloved hobby. We have always anticipated that we would expand our classic car portfolio by adding additional traditional vehicles. Why not start with a more thought-provoking statement about the significance of the E-Sort in your work or personal life, such as: Renowned for its timeless beauty, this vintage-inspired vehicle embodies ECD’s commitment to meticulous restoration and design innovation, solidifying their reputation as purveyors of exquisite restomods.
The package deal provided by Tesla for the Defender will feature identical specifications. According to ECD, the E-Sort’s front end will be capable of housing the entire 100 kWh battery pack, unlike the Land Rover configuration where the pack is divided 60:40 between the engine bay and above the rear axle.
Our initial inquiry focused on the specifications of Jaguar’s latest electric vehicle, with particular interest in the E-Type due to its compact, aerodynamic design compared to a Land Rover SUV. ECD Automotive is hesitant to provide specific details until the initial prototype is complete and tested, but the team anticipates that the electric Jaguars will achieve a range of around 180-200 miles on a single charge.
Following our visit last year, we recalled discussing the possibility of introducing DC fast-charging capabilities for bespoke electric Land Rovers, a feature that the ECD team informed us they were actively working to integrate. The initial electric Jaguar variants won’t be compatible with DCFCs yet, but the team is actively working towards making this possible in the near future.
Due to the construction of a new 100,000-square-foot facility situated adjacent to its original site in Florida, Electric Cloud Data (ECD) has gained flexibility to accommodate the Jaguar E-Sort model to its production line. Since our visit in February, we’ve had the opportunity to explore the newly opened facility, although the meeting spaces were not yet fully set up.
At present, two distinct meeting cycles on the enhanced facility have enabled ECD Automotive to increase production capacity, scaling up from 60 customised vehicles annually to 100, with aspirations to ultimately reach 200 units per year. The initial production target for the restored Jaguar E-Varieties, specifically, is expected to reach 10 to 12 units annually by ECD.
The all-electric Jaguar E-Type is expected to enter competition in early 2023. Here’s a sneak peek for now:
