While Land Rover’s new Defender OCTA makes headlines with its 626-horsepower twin-turbo V8, the folks at ECD Automotive Design looked at those numbers and said “hold my tea.” Their latest creation, Project Wilder, takes a classic Land Rover Station Wagon and stuffs a supercharged GM V8 under the hood that cranks out over 700 horsepower. Because apparently, when you’re already building the most extreme off-road machines money can buy, subtlety isn’t really the goal.
ECD has built a reputation for taking tired old Land Rovers and turning them into rolling art pieces that somehow manage to be both nostalgic and thoroughly modern. Project Wilder represents the pinnacle of that philosophy. It’s a vehicle that Scott Wallace, ECD’s CEO, describes as “equal parts fighter and private jet.”
American Thunder Meets British Soul
The heart of Project Wilder is a supercharged GM Blueprint V8 that makes modern Land Rover’s power figures look downright quaint. More importantly, all that power gets routed through a six-speed Magnum T56 manual transmission – because if you’re going to build something this extreme, you might as well make sure the driver stays engaged. The Borla Sport dual exhaust even comes with push-button sound control, letting you choose between “respectful neighbor” and “wake the dead” modes.
The chassis has been completely rebuilt and coated in Raptor Liner for durability, while ECD’s proprietary air ride suspension handles the transition from mountain trails to city streets. When it’s time to stop 700 horsepower worth of classic British truck, Brembo performance brakes with Eastnor Green calipers provide the necessary stopping power.
Classic Looks, Modern Everything
Visually, Project Wilder strikes the perfect balance between heritage and aggression – which is really ECD’s bread and butter. The Eastnor Green eggshell paint with Nara Bronze accents pays proper tribute to Land Rover’s military roots, while 20-inch Kahn Mondial Retro wheels (painted to match) fill out the widened arches with just the right amount of stance. It’s still recognizably a classic Defender, but one that’s obviously got more going on underneath those classic good looks.
The exterior upgrades include a six-point external roll cage, panoramic roof with UV protection, and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires that can handle whatever adventure you point this thing toward. And even the side steps feature custom Sapele walnut wood inlays for a beautiful finishing touch.
Interior Luxury That Shames Modern SUVs
Step inside and you’ll find an interior that puts most luxury SUVs to shame. The cabin is wrapped in Buffalo Distressed Cuoio leather with honeycomb stitching, complemented by more of that aforementioned Sapele walnut wood trim that flows throughout the space. RECARO Orthoped seats provide proper support for both spirited driving and long-distance comfort, while the Alcantara headliner and handmade billet controls round things out.
Modern conveniences haven’t been forgotten here either. The truck features Apple CarPlay, Focal premium audio with dual subwoofers, backup cameras, power windows, central locking, remote start, and even blind spot monitoring. The NARDI Kallista wooden steering wheel adds the perfect vintage touch while custom Moal Bomber gauges keep you informed of what that supercharged V8 is doing.
More Than Just Power
What makes Project Wilder special isn’t just the massive power increase – it’s how ECD has managed to integrate modern performance and luxury without losing the character that makes classic Land Rovers so appealing.
Not surprising the build process is quite extensive, including 2,200 hours of hand-crafted work by master-certified ASE technicians, ensuring that every detail meets their exacting standards. But, when you’re essentially rebuilding a classic vehicle from the ground up, we wouldn’t expect anything less.
Spec Sheet
Model: ECD Project Wilder California Land Rover Station Wagon
Engine: GM Supercharged V8 Blueprint
Power: 700+ HP
Transmission: 6-speed manual (Magnum T56)
Suspension: ECD proprietary air ride
Brakes: Brembo high-performance with Eastnor Green calipers
Exhaust: Borla Sport dual with push-button sound control
Paint: Eastnor Green with Nara Bronze accents
Wheels: 20″ Kahn Mondial Retro (custom painted)
Tires: BFGoodrich All-Terrain
Interior: Buffalo Distressed Cuoio leather, Sapele walnut trim
Seats: RECARO Orthoped front and rear
Build Time: 2,200 hours
Legal Status: California compliant
Pricing & Availability
ECD hasn’t announced pricing for Project Wilder, but given their previous builds and the level of customization involved, expect figures well into six figures. Each ECD build is fully bespoke and designed through their immersive luxury design experience, so no two vehicles are exactly alike.
Recap
Land Rover Defender ‘Project Wilder’ by ECD
ECD’s Project Wilder combines a 700+ horsepower supercharged GM V8 with six-speed manual transmission in a hand-crafted California-compliant Land Rover Station Wagon featuring luxury leather interior and modern amenities built over 2,200 hours by master craftsmen.
