Project case study
Defender 90 EV Show Car with 83 kWh Jaguar I-Pace Battery
EV conversion / show car / development mule
A Defender 90 EV show car and development mule using an 83 kWh Jaguar I-Pace module battery pack, Tesla Model 3 motor with custom gearset, 75 kW CCS charging, new chassis and front/rear battery packaging for weight balance and service access.
Discuss a related projectVehicle / platformLand Rover Defender 90 soft-top EV
Project typeEV conversion / show car / development mule
Client goal
The problem to solve
Build a more capable Defender EV development car than the first prototype, with a larger battery, more available power, fast charging and a show-ready specification that could also be used for road testing and events.
The brief
What VASS was asked to do
Develop the EV package around a new chassis Defender 90 soft-top, package the Jaguar I-Pace modules effectively, retain the Tesla Model 3-based drivetrain concept and help turn the vehicle into a usable test and show car.
Scope of work
Defined engineering work
- New chassis Defender 90 EV build support
- Soft-top conversion support
- 83 kWh battery pack using Jaguar I-Pace modules
- Front and rear battery packaging
- Tesla Model 3 motor with custom gearset
- CCS charging integration limited to around 75 kW
- Vehicle test driving and development support
- Packaging work to improve front floor space and leg room
Key systems
Systems involved
- 83 kWh Jaguar I-Pace module battery pack
- Tesla Model 3 motor package
- Custom gearset
- 75 kW CCS charging
- Front battery enclosure
- Rear battery enclosure
- New Defender chassis
- Soft-top body configuration
Engineering challenge
What needed careful resolution
- Packaging a large battery into a Defender 90 without making maintenance difficult
- Balancing battery weight between the front and rear of the vehicle
- Using the full motor output safely with a more capable battery pack
- Creating a vehicle that could work as both a show car and a development mule
- Improving cabin packaging and leg room using the Model 3 motor layout
Practical outcome
The result
The finished vehicle delivered around 300 hp capability from the motor package, used faster CCS charging than the first prototype and became a practical development and show vehicle. It helped validate higher-power Defender EV packaging, fast charging and split battery layouts.
For similar clients
What this means for another project
This project is relevant for Defender owners who want more than a short-range local-use EV. It shows how battery size, pack location, charging speed and drivetrain layout can be developed into a more capable vehicle while still preserving Defender character and usability.