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.

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Electric Land Rover Defender 90 soft top with 83 kWh Jaguar I-Pace battery pack and Tesla Model 3 motor
Vehicle / 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.

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