East Coast Defender Add Life And Corvette Power To Iconic Land Rover

Florida-based company East Coast Defender has given some life to the axed Land Rover Defender with its Project XIII.

For the project, East Coast Defender started with a North American spec Defender 110, one of just 500 units produced, and immediately set about radically overhauling the vehicle’s powertrain.

As a matter of fact, the LS3, 6.2-liter V8 engine from a Corvette has been fitted beneath the Land Rover bonnet and has been mated to a GM 6L60 six-speed transmission now complete with a console-mounted push-button system to select gears. Additionally, Project XIII includes a Rover LT230 transfer case, Ashcroft center limited-slip differential and new axleshafts made from hardened steel.

Visually, the Defender has been outfitted with a set of black 1-inch wheels wrapped in 32.5 inch tall BFGoodrich Radial All-Terrain KO2 tires. Elsewhere, the car includes a rear ladder, a new front grille, special front and rear fenders, panoramic rear windows, LED lights and a heavy-duty winch.

The Defender’s interior has also been overhauled and includes seating for nine people, black leather upholstery, a Momo steering wheel, power windows, heated front and rear glass, reversing camera and sensors and an upgraded infotainment system that includes a touchscreen LCD from Alpine.

Additionally, there’s a 13-speaker JBL audio system to make this Defender a party on wheels, both on the street and off the beaten path.