E.C.D. Automotive Design Builds Blazingly Fast Range Rover Classic with LT4 Engine

 E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.), the premier leader in fully customized, classic Land Rover Defenders and original Range Rovers, today reveals Project Mercer. This sleek, restored Range Rover Classic (RRC) is more than just a vintage SUV – it holds a surprise under the hood. Supercharged by a powerhouse 8-Speed Automatic LT4 engine with 650 horsepower and 660 torque, Project Mercer is deceptively fast, flying to 60 mph in just 5.03 seconds. Not only is this RRC faster and more powerful than a brand-new 2022 Range Rover Supercharged, but it can even overpower Tesla. In a head-to-head against E.C.D.’s very own electric Range Rover Classic, Project Ski, Project Mercer’s classic engine beat out the Tesla drivetrain in 0 to 60 mph by just .41 seconds.

“For a vehicle that is shaped a lot like a box on wheels, we’re proud of how we were able to build in such incredible horsepower,” Co-Founder of E.C.D. Tom Humble said. “The client wanted speed, and our expert team at E.C.D. had the skills to overhaul this decades-old RRC into one of the fastest things on the road for its vehicle class.”

Project Mercer is painted in a glossy Epsom Green with black accents throughout, including a pinnacle-style grille and bumper. The SUV rests on Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires with 20-inch matte black Kahn Mondial wheels for optimized on-road performance. Its custom body kit consists of a color-coded front spoiler, side sills and rear valance for a sportier look. The classic Land Rover SRS wheel, original Captain’s seats and dashboard are all wrapped in a smooth Sandpiper Garrett Leather. The tailored 5-seat design includes Expresso Garrett Leather with single vertical diamond tan stitching in the bucket of the seats.

Much like the exterior, the revamped RRC’s interior might appear traditional but holds various modernizations. In addition to custom E.C.D. RRC gauges, Project Mercer’s tech upgrades include an Alpine Floating Screen Infotainment center with CarPlay, Bluetooth, WIFI, wireless charger, backup camera and sensor, blind spot assistant and more. These improvements allow Project Mercer to carry the pinnacle features of a modern luxury car while maintaining the heritage of the old RRC.

For more information on how to build your own vehicle please visit ecdautodesign.com.

Project Mercer Specifications

Additional high-resolution images and video are here.

Project Mercer vehicle showcase on E.C.D. website is here.

Model — RRC LWB

Engine — LT4 650 HP 660 Torque

Transmission – 8-Speed Automatic

Axles – Fully Rebuilt and Upgraded

Suspension — E.C.D. Air

Brakes – Brembo

Fuel System – Stainless Steel Braided Fuel Lines

Exterior

Paint Color — Epsom Green with Full Gloss

Wheels — 20″ Kahn Mondial Wheels in Matte Black

Tires — Pirelli Scorpion Zero

Grille – Pinnacle Style in Black with Full Gloss

Bumper — Pinnacle Style in Black with Full Gloss

Additional Features — Sunroof

Interior

Front Seats — Land Rover Captains Seating, Heated

Middle Row Seats – 60/40 Split Seating

Seat Layout – 5 Seat

Leather Color — Sandpiper Garrett Leather (Exterior of Seat), Expresso Garrett Leather (Bucket of Seat)

Seat Design – OEM with Single Vertical Diamond Tan Stitching

Carpet – Black, Rubber Mats All Around

Steering Wheel — Land Rover SRS Wheel Wrapped in Sandpiper Garrett Leather

Gauges — E.C.D. Custom RRC Gauges

Dash Style – Wrapped in Sandpiper Garrett Leather

Audio & Electronics

Infotainment — Alpine Floating Screen Infotainment with CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB (2 Front and 2 Rear)

Sound System — JL Audio (Speakers and Subwoofers)

Additional Features — WIFI, Wireless Charger, Blind Spot Assistant, Back Up Camera and Sensor

About E.C.D. Automotive Design 

E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.) is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic English beauty with modern performance. Each vehicle produced by E.C.D. is fully bespoke, a one-off that is designed by the client through an immersive luxury design experience and hand-built from the ground up in 2,200 hours by master-certified ASE craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British ”petrol heads” whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. E.C.D. Automotive Design’s global headquarters, known as the ”Rover Dome,” is a 45,000 square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Florida that is home to 52 talented craftsman and technicians, who hold a combined 61 ASE and five master level certifications. E.C.D. Automotive Design has a second design studio located in Malibu, California.