Electric Defender. Are you Urban or Country style?

We take a deep dive into a Tesla powered urban Defender and find out if I can be persuaded away from my more countryside orientated Land Rover Defender. The blue Defender was built by Studio AVA using a bolt in electric conversion kit from us, and has a large Tesla drive unit propelling it to 60mph in around 4.5 seconds, a 100kWh battery pack and 21kw AC charging. If you're interested in buying it they can be contacted below:
www.studioava.com/life-unlimited
If you're interested in becoming an installation partner for our electric Defender kits please contact us directly below:
www.electricclassiccars.co.uk...

[@RanDomRikM]

70% of Defenders are still on the road, the other 30% made it back home 😁👍🏻 Does the raised floor in this one mean an even bigger battery pack in the rear? The colour of this one wasn't my cup of tea, a nice silver or grey one would be more pleasing.

[@spudproductions7606]

Good one 😂😂

[@PaulTC777]

British racing green, white roof, dark bronze wheels

[@ricbrook7059]

That's just rubbish that Land Rover put out and became gospel. Many have rotted away, robbed for parts or just been written off. Disagree? How come they're not common on the roads anymore?

[@hughmarcus1]

@@ricbrook7059 the figures don’t come from Land Rover. They’re easily verified from official records. Where I live farmers are still using loads of them ( the ones who haven’t cashed in on their value)

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

You shouldn't Knock the Leccy Def. It's the perfect 4 Wheel barrow to cart batteries about. (Just IN CASE you might WANT to go home !) .

[@huwdavies6650]

I would prefer a hybrid of the two. Yours but with a roof, some creature comforts and road oriented tyres.

[@organiccold]

Nice Defenders seen the green one in person, i really enjoyed the chat i had with one of you guys at The British Motor Show two week ago... Nice cars there and nice guys too..have great weekend

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks. Good to meet you at the motor show. It’s always nice to chat with our viewers 👍😀

[@organiccold]

@@spudproductions7606 more than welcome and thank for your time :)

[@GerardBendotti]

Nice to see one of your kits come back to you for a visit

[@LCOF]

Things I love about this as a city car: chunky tyre wall, great for curbs, speed bumps and potholes. And you can park cheek by jowl and not worry one iota about someone bumping your front or rear bumpers. I will say though I don't think they're as practical as you're making out. Ingress and egress is tricky, especially if you're elderly or have mobility issues but find 'normal' cars fine to use.

[@TheCardinal365]

Love the work that has gone into it. The interior is next level but the exterior design looks like a childs toy.

[@ivancuervo777]

I would only change the grill, as for your question… I’m urban!! It sure feels comfortable if rain comes!

[@howard922]

the pallet wood is a little incongruous

[@mrmawson2438]

the only problem with having such good brakes is the people behind won't be able to stop as fast😆

[@briananthony4044]

Hefty bullbars at the back lol.

[@drumbrakes]

The person behind will always be able to brake at the same speed. When you come to a stop, you'll find they are exactly one car length behind your front bumper!

[@generalvoltage1821]

The problem with you guys is you keep making things I now want. And I WANT. I want both!

[@spudproductions7606]

Understandable 😀👍😂

[@deltajohnny]

Nobody like the colour (neither do I), but I'd love to have either! 👏👏👏

[@kennedy369]

I saw this defender in Brown Thomas inside the shop, extremely well finished close up 👌

[@phphoto]

For a city car - Let’s go. But the country version for me please ❤

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

I'd love the urban one in a light pink colour with diamonte trim accents.

[@gabriellundmark]

This looks fantastic. Amazingly polished . I love it.

[@scraverX]

I’m not sure I would choose that exact colour (Maybe a BRG derivative) but I’m a ‘city boy’ and I need my enclosed cabin so I would want the Urban version.

[@jeromeandre4915]

Another fun one Richard, well done ;-) Keep them coming!

[@54mgtf22]

Love your work 👍

[@mrmawson2438]

looks beautiful

[@kerongranger2229]

Particularly interested in this defender episode ❤️

[@MykeBinaryMan]

Personally I really like the style of hard top, yes I may go with a different colour but its so well finished I wouldn't be unhappy with it.

[@terryfleming7084]

Not being a hard off road guy, I really like the blue one. The only thing I would change is wider tires. They look too skinny for my taste.

[@moniqueprobert5588]

I'm digging the blue land Rover. Only thing I would change is the white flares and rims, rather have black flares and rims like a Richard's defender

[@ElectricClassicCars]

I agree. I think that one change would definitely improve the look a lot. 👍

[@EdWelch100]

Hey, Moggy I think that you have surprised me. I quite like it. Another great job.

[@Rexski1]

I like the look, reminds me of a 70's bronco

[@chrisgurney2467]

I'm cheeky, I'd love a Landy but in Fergie TE 20 grey XD

[@FishplateFilms]

Another great show Richard! Still driving my 03 Disco 2A TD5. You've got 5 years to make a kit for these please sir! I drive modern 4wd's at work , but none of them have the feel of my Disco! You are getting very good as a presenter as well mate.......I see a new career down the line..LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks Gregg 👍😀

[@terminalpsychosis8022]

The light color is going to show every speck of mud or dirt, but the finish and looks are otherwise impeccable. High end city cruising for sure, I suppose it won't be taken off-road very often anyway. Still great for icy / snowy streets in winter, and can for sure get overland fine if you give it a bath after. Personally I like the more spartan, functional look, but hey, to each their own. I'd take this in black or dark green. In any case, seems top notch work and exactly to the customer's wishes. Very impressive.

[@id70b40]

If Barbie and Ken had a city farm …. That’s the Land Rover they’d choose 😂

[@beinghappy1312]

I'd make the wheel arches black instead of white. I'd definitely want LED lights all around and as much carbon fiber body panels as I can get. A light land rover EV sounds like a lot of fun

[@ElectricClassicCars]

I agree with you on the wheel arches, I think that would make a big improvement. 👍

[@beinghappy1312]

@@ElectricClassicCars Yeah, I'm also not a fan of the interior, just because it doesn't at all match how it looks on the outside

[@BARNEY_1337]

blue with black trims and wheels , would have been my preference

[@spudproductions7606]

It would be interesting to see it with that colour configuration. Should be an easy enough swap 👍

[@Skiridr22]

I love it, looks futuristic

[@spudproductions7606]

Cool 👍😀

[@jasonblair4057]

Great to see a conversation done using your kit by another company.

[@davidjulian8536]

Yes, its a real talking point!

[@7sq]

Florida man votes country ,ava is very nice & fast ...

[@fizzyelectricity]

Take the wood and leather out, painted interior with Alcantara, outside, black or dark colour, tinted windows, roof glass delete, and low profile tires

[@Jmunoz1675]

Definitely prefer yours. It's a no like - E for me. A color change would to wonders.

[@eveningstar3230]

Excellent video!!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍

[@youxkio]

Hello Richard. Lovely video and driving show. For your last question; I would answer "country" for (also) city use. Thank you for sharing new products from the competition XD XD. I guess we all should be electric and friendly, like you are, and stop ranting about other competitors.

[@Skiridr22]

Great episode

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@superliegebeest544]

An old rusty defender cost already a fortune. But I def would one of these. Dont need to go fast I need something that lasts and cheap to keep going.

[@eprohoda]

Electric~ Thank you!you shraed great picture! see you on my side, 📽

[@alexeypilipenko7111]

Urban Defender is like off-road Fiesta/Micra ;) Coud be cool (and this one sure is). Not sure if should.

[@ivar5433]

Coun-ban. But make it a 110 single cab pickup with two sets of wheels and a rear anti roll bar with some sort of quick release.

[@raisoreo]

I am sold on 100% electric mobility since I've owed a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance. I can not go back to IC engine nor hybrids. My Tesla is the bees knees! However, I'll go for a Land Rover Defender like the one Rich is explaining because it's Tesla powered and one can sit higher. Maybe Tesla will come out with this! Who knows?

[@farukcarushi4983]

I love it 😍! Thinking of converting a ‘72 Chevelle someday…. Not sure though 🤔

[@jcambeul5338]

I am torn, I honestly like both variants. However, living in a pioneering state in the U.S., I would probably choose the off road rugged Defender.

[@paulmcnamara16]

Oh my god I want one not that god awfully colour combination though but love it. But have a Ford focus and wish could have that Tesla'd love what you do guys one day I will order that electric Defender some day!

[@itsthepens]

Well. Now I know exactly what I want to buy!

[@favclassisspy9478]

(Not a Defender person) the blue one is pretty cool but on balance I prefer the low-key look of your one

[@iainansell5930]

british racing green with black alloys... gotta have seats in the back though..

[@bob808]

The AVA Discovery is very cool! I'm a fan of the luxurious interior, but I'd chose different colours, and have carpet in the back instead of wood.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

I'd love to see one of these conversions done on a Discovery of any era, or on a modern Range Rover. I'm a country bumpkin but I still want to sit in a bit of comfort in my work horse! Basically what I'm saying is please make me a British Rivian mate 😂

[@spudproductions7606]

A Brivian? 👍😀

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

@@spudproductions7606 perfect! 👌😂

[@iross7345]

I assume the kit could also fit a series 1 or 2 disco? Not much difference between that and a defender of the same era.

[@Roel.S.]

I love them both! They are really nice! But I miss the white striping on the "fuel cap" on the city Defender. ;-)

[@garyzurasky7312]

I've always love the Landrovers going back to the safari shows of the '70s. After watching this episode I hopped on some military surplus sites, just curious as to how much going a stripped out conversion would cost. There I came across a Ferret, ever think about converting one of those for fun? Would be a hoot.

[@Oktay]

Definitely country! Color is a very much personal taste but I am sure most country lovers won’t prefer that color. Luxury interior in a country car feel’s just some overkill. Thanks for just another nice video 👍

[@timjohnson67]

I like them both - horses for courses. But aside from having the urban version in a quieter colour I'd also go for 3 seats across the front and 2 in the back

[@johndavies6246]

Interesting comment about the all-round view being good for city journeys, the wife took over a flower business in '87, inheriting an early Nissan Prairie. She was initially concerned about the 'looking out visibility' for parking and heavy traffic times, but, like you said about the Landy, she could see all corners, so it was never a problem. We lived in Potters Bar and drove into New Covent Garden, Vauxhall, down the Edgware Road, and when she needed a bigger vehicle she looked at the Defender 110 - she wanted the ability to be able to tell Mr Murphy in his scruffy green builders vans, that used to cut everybody up, to take it out of her bumper!! In the end she didn't get one as the seat cushions, or padded garden chair cushions, really, killed her already problematic back!! I don't think that blue 90 would cut it as a 'Chelsea Tractor', although it would be perfect for the job if it had seats for a couple more kids in the back, but it wouldn't pass the 'show-off' test needed to qualify. Having spent a long time working in and around Kensington, those big limo Mercs and Range Rovers were a joy to behold as the school run mums tried to park them in a parking bay!! Much hilarity!! The wife told more than one who reversed into the Prairie " Just because you can afford it, doesn't mean you can drive it safely"!! Happy days.

[@beinghappy1312]

I'd take your country model, convert all the lights to LED, convert as many panels to carbon fiber as possible, and probably leave everything else as is

[@GavinEarnshaw]

Mate yours is so much more fun as not many would consider what it can do. I think the blue one would look so much better without those awful white wheel arches. Black or at least body colour. Lottery for me and I'd be calling you ASAP 😀

[@jasonrobards7695]

Again though the important piece of information is the cost to convert to a BEV.

[@nigelhayter782]

What do I think of the blue one? YUK!

[@schweglerd]

I’m taking the country.

like it but the green one more like it!

[@narrowgauge7.25]

Yup in terms of colour

[@pauljenkins2501]

That blue and white one is hurting my eyes! I like the idea of the conversion, but it would have to be in a standard landy colour if it were mine.......

[@georgemalek5068]

A place for both.

[@richardsumerfield4923]

Great video Rick. I have a classic 1956 Ford Prefect Deluxe (the deluxe means it has a heater...lol). I inherited it from my father in law and he was the second owner. I wondered if you had converted one to electric yet. It has a 3 speed gearbox and reverse. Keep up the videos ☺

[@spudproductions7606]

Not yet 👍

[@deasunodonnachadha6408]

Wish your kits were available in USA near NJ. :) Love to get my wifes mini cooper done.

[@spudproductions7606]

Have you watched this earlier episode? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4ucpZdmetOFps0

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

Thanks.like

[@Mach-EzorGT]

I'm *suburban*-style, born and bred. Not sure what the UK equivalent would be. It means I drive in many traffic jams, but still find free parking at most of my destinations.

[@markgreggs4901]

Awesome finish on it but not sure about the blue and white colour on a land rover

[@waterboy8999]

What a racket inside.

[@spudproductions7606]

The mic does amplify the noise a little. 👍

[@ziauddinsiddiqui7769]

AVA body color seems to be based on the "Smurfs" theme.

[@thorsley1]

Country or County was always a choice.

[@FreerunMediaService]

I would love to have that car. The only thing i would change is the colour of it. I would like it black. And yes the fun thing is getting away from the lights, outrunning the loud well let's say, Golf GTI's ;-)

[@rodneyrbarrick8812]

yep……I could get used to it. Still would take yours.

[@robhattrell]

Country all the way,

[@nagki]

Amazing, we have a local offroader(Suzuki Gypsy) with somewhat similar credentials, I think we should consider converting all of them to electric. While this is a great project and awesome execution, 150K is a bit too much for our country(India), but you guys have inspired all of us, keep up the good work. Future is not all that bad for those wanting to give second life to their ICE cars. How about converting Jimny the same way and pursue Suzuki to just sell the bare bones body to a company who will retrofit electric drivetrain? :-D Thats one idea I think we offroad /utility vehicle enthisiasts would be eager to know with our eyes wide open. Thank you again for the awesome episode.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@stevenbromham1594]

Sky blue and rocket ship performance hey,hey,hey! Let’s just take the top off, soften up the springs for a bit of flex and let’s get it dirty 😁😁😁 country all the way…outback Aussie oi oi oi!

[@ewadge]

Not a big fan of the colour or some of the spec, but I love the idea of an electrified Defender. Your mate could roll by in a Lamborghini but you’d still be in a cooler car.

[@vincentrobinet2713]

I would prefer a colour that is from the original pallet, and a basic interior with the sound proofing added. But I do like a hard top. I would rather the jump seats were still installed.

[@jamesmonington]

Don’t like the colour, would be nice in gun metal grey and black trim, also forget the wood in the back, other than that I liked it a lot

[@drumbrakes]

Ok, it's a city vehicle with city styling. Lowered springs, anti-roll bars, road tyres & a paint scheme that will scream if you park too close to a hedge. So why on earth has it got serious off-road Terrafirma bead-locker wheels? Do they plan on dropping the tyres down to 5psi to rock-crawl up a particularly tricky kerb? There's no shortage of urban style alloy & steel wheels available for defenders, but these ones just don't suit the rest of the build.

[@graemedarling2852]

"its different" the wood floor for me does not match the interior styling of the AVA. Maybe a modern tray would have been a better match.

[@MurrayC]

Like the white roof, white Safari roof would have been better

[@mikejf4377]

How much is one of them from them. Thanks for answering the price, like them both. There are many 4X4 running around over here in the city and out.

[@AaronDwyer]

It’s a top shelf conversion. But totally urban. I didn’t know you could sound proof an older car. Personally I like country style for the older 4x4s. I ask this to anyone I meet with a 4x4 in urban setting. How often do you use 4x4 mode? And then for most. Why do you have a 4x4 if you don’t ever use the 4x4? Sigh.

[@dzsink]

Great quality finish. But I am not fan of the color. Maybe in a different color combination like yours.

[@roseybut]

Country!!

[@DPMConnacht]

I appreciate the build quality of the "tarmac" Defender, but it's Richard's Defender all the way for me.

[@chriswilliment3304]

Be honest something in-between the 2 something that can be comfortable in the city for every day use but also on the weekends can go out find a off road track and get muddy aswell.

[@wordreet]

Well if you ask each Defender, they'll all say, " Arrrummm! Well it's just the tires mate! I can still go off road if I want. Brummmahh!"

[@bettyswallocks6411]

Those seatbelts are very Thunderbirds. When they handed it over, were there strings attached? I’ll see myself out.

[@reubenjackson7829]

It would be cool if you could get your hands on a kernazeg electric motor. They are so small and powerful

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Axial flux motors are super cool. Small, compact, light and lots and lots of power. 😁💪👌

[@erhardt1477]

Only TWO minor changes … I would make for this … I change the seat belt to something else … And… The steering wheel would be better, I think, if it where wood style … that would definitely class things up a bit 💪 Greetings from Germany everybody 👋 … PS. as far as the back seats are concerned… sure would be nice to have some but, the battery pack is so high …

[@spudproductions7606]

Danke 👍😀

[@chrisf1728]

What colour is the blue defender?

[@RedBatteryHead]

One can't argue on taste... Not even with EV 😉 Luckily the tech is top notch.

[@Mike_Costello]

It's very noice! I'd go with a country version of the closed roof 90. Maybe with an in between interior. spec. Actually can I just have both. I might need to get onto Jaunt here in Australia.

[@scraverX]

From what I’ve seen they (Jaunt) favour the ‘retro’ rugged interior but maybe they would work something out ‘for the right price’.

[@gavinferguson]

diy discovery 1 kit please

[@barchetta06]

Richard, any details of cost or the kit? (is it coming down?) and likely labour costs for fitting? .... and is/will the M3 motor reduce costs? Really interested but cost has been prohibitive so far.