More than a year since my last visit, I recently had the opportunity to revisit my friends at ECD Automotive Design in central Florida and take their latest EV conversion, the all-electric Jaguar E-Type, out for a test drive. At ECD, a flurry of exciting developments has become the norm, driven by its ongoing pursuit of innovation in electrification.
If you’re unfamiliar with ECD Automotive Design, a quick online search would likely enlighten you. One of the most renowned bespoke car manufacturers in the industry, this company has built a loyal customer following by consistently delivering exceptional quality, service, and unparalleled levels of personalization.
Each quarter, I find myself returning to the corporate headquarters near Orlando for a third consecutive visit, whereupon I’ve witnessed the team’s unwavering dedication to growth, innovation, and calculated risk-taking. The pivotal factor driving ECD’s remarkable advancements over the past decade has been its transformation from a humble 10-year-old industrial space to a modern 100,000-square-foot hub that is already bursting at the seams?
With its UK heritage serving as a foundation, the company’s early days were marked by a commitment to crafting bespoke versions of iconic British marques such as Land Rover Series I and Defender models. Recently, Electric Car Designs (ECD) has begun offering bespoke electric options to its clientele by seamlessly incorporating Tesla motor units and battery packs within existing vehicle architectures.
In June 2022, Electric Classic Dreams (ECD) unveiled ambitious plans to revive the iconic Jaguar E-Type from the 1970s, available in both a sleek roadster convertible and a sporty 2+2 coupe configuration. During my visit to E-Sort’s meeting line in October 2022, I gained insight into the process as the ECD group prepared to start building fully customized restoration projects by first familiarizing themselves with traditional methods.
As the final week approached, I had the opportunity to revisit the production lines and witness firsthand the progress on the Jaguar E-Type rebuilds, with a significant majority now transitioning to electric powertrains. Moreover, Electric Car Design (ECD) had recently completed its inaugural all-electric E-Sort for a customer, and I was tasked with taking it out for a test drive to help fine-tune its performance before delivery. Listed below are my ideas.
The all-new ECD’s Jaguar E-Sport feels like a vehicle born for the electric era? Its sleek design, cutting-edge technology and refined performance make a compelling case that this is an EV done right. With its sharp lines, aerodynamic contours and LED lighting, the E-Sport exudes confidence and poise, while its agile handling and responsive steering ensure a thrilling drive.
Having visited ECD multiple times before, I was familiar with the established routine at this level. Scott Wallace, ECD’s co-founder, gave me a whirlwind tour, highlighting their E-Sorts in progress – an unusual departure from the company’s customary Land Rover projects.
Initially, Wallace informed me that the ECD group considered shifting away from the Defender product line, assuming a need for more skilled staff would be the major obstacle, but he clarified that they got it wrong. It was the alternative. ECD’s skilled team handled the Jaguar with ease, yet the construction process remains distinctively unique.
Prior to this endeavour, ECD had concentrated on bespoke, from-the-ground-up projects with Land Rovers, incorporating components sourced directly from the UK. The all-electric Jaguar E-Types, rather than being refurbished, are comprehensive rebuilds – a process where ECD purchases entire vehicles across the United States, disassembles them, blasts the reusable parts with sandpaper to remove imperfections, and then reassembles them into electric vehicles. To date, ECD claims to reuse roughly half of the distinct automotive parts across each build, a process that currently takes significantly longer compared to the Land Rovers ECD has been producing for several years.
As I walked along the meeting line, I was struck by the seamless integration of the electric motor and batteries within the Jaguar E-Type, giving the impression that it was always intended to be an electric vehicle – a sentiment I still uphold after taking the roadster for a spin.
In a striking similarity, the ECD’s electrical configuration almost exactly replicates the weight distribution of the bespoke V12 engine and transmission combination, making it infinitely more captivating. While the electric Jaguar E-Type delivers on its designers’ vision, it also boasts additional torque and swifter acceleration. While Wallace’s suggestion was intriguing, I believe the true circumstances surrounding this design success were purely coincidental and not something ECD should be seeking to capitalize on.
The drivetrain configuration comprises a dual-battery setup with one pack located at the front, powering an electric motor, as well as a third battery pack situated in the trunk, collectively providing a total capacity of 42 kilowatt-hours. Although small, our EV requirements still need to comply with the proscribed E-Code dictated by the existing E-Sort chassis design.
Despite its compact size, this tiny car packs an impressive punch, I assure you. The drivetrain produces 450 horsepower, while the batteries combine to provide up to 150 miles of electric-only driving range.
As you may recall, ECD shifted away from refurbished Tesla motors and battery packs in March to adopt a new configuration from Ampere EV, allowing the customized builder to offer its customers enhanced options such as four-wheel drive, three distinct drive modes, creep mode, and finally, DC quick charging capabilities.
By incorporating its latest drivetrain technology into the electric Jaguar E-Type, Electrification Conversion Division (ECD) enables the shipment of many advanced EV features that today’s customers have come to expect, regardless of whether their classic vehicle was manufactured over 50 years ago. Electricity propels the E-Sort forward, courtesy of a high-performance motor that efficiently converts stored energy into power. With instant torque and smooth acceleration, drivers enjoy seamless transitions between speed modes: casual cruising or spirited sprints. Let’s get straight to the point: Let your friends know effectively, guys.
What’s the current text about driving an E-Sort? Please share it so I can improve it in a different style for you.
Following my tour, I joined forces with ECD co-founder Elliot Humble to put the E-Sort through its paces in a thrilling test drive. As we navigated the familiar route through Orlando’s suburban landscape, I had deliberately inserted several stretches of uninterrupted highway, allowing us to test the limits of our roadster’s capabilities. I was once unjaded.
While Ampere’s innovative drivetrain system may fall short of Tesla’s former efficiency, its unique advantages and benefits ultimately compensate for the disparity. The regenerative braking is significantly smoother and more practical, mimicking the feel of one-pedal driving with remarkable accuracy. Maybe subsequent yr (wink, wink).
Acceleration was a breeze. As my longer hair was blown into a voluminous helmet by the time we finished due to a very low windshield. Despite initial reservations, I quickly found myself at ease behind the wheel of this electric vehicle, effortlessly passing several slower-moving cars on the highway – though, I did need to strain my neck to check beside me and in my blind spots due to the somewhat inadequate side mirrors on this vehicle.
Prior to taking the wheel, I met with John Value, Head of Gross Sales and Design at ECD, to delve into the design philosophy behind my bespoke electric Jaguar E-Type. Unexpectedly, upon my return from driving, I found that the ECD had created a miniature replica of our project to bring home. This level of attention to detail showcases ECD’s commitment to customization and exceptional customer support, evident from the initial design phase through delivery and beyond. Try my work!
On this latest visit to ECD Auto Design, I embarked on another thought-provoking adventure, filled with creative sparks and joyous moments. As I visit the company now, I’m consistently struck by its remarkable expansion – both in scale and technological advancements. As someone continually striving to optimize their personal life, I’m consistently struck by ECD’s ability to achieve such impressive feats on a grand scale with remarkable finesse.
The hard work has yielded a satisfying outcome. As ECD’s remarkable achievements have piqued traders’ interest, the company plans to take the next step by going public later this month, culminating in a bell-ringing ceremony on the New York Stock Exchange. While marking a significant achievement, the company must continue to cultivate its unique, entrepreneurial spirit in crafting its innovative projects, being mindful of this distinct identity. Let’s hope that Disney’s acquisition by America won’t extinguish the enchantment. I’m short on cash?
I’m eagerly anticipating my next visit, especially since the company has provided me with an exclusive preview of what’s coming up in their development pipeline. While I’m eager to take this opportunity forward, it’s crucial that I maintain confidentiality about the details for now?
Jaguar’s latest offering, the E-Sport, has finally arrived. While we eagerly await its next move, why not take a closer look at ECD’s innovative electric take on this iconic brand?
