ECD Auto Design introduces a 700+ horsepower BLUEPRINT V8 upgrade for Defender and Range Rover Classic vehicles, enhancing performance and luxury.
Quiver AI Summary
ECD Auto Design, a leader in customizing Land Rover Defenders, has introduced a new powerful upgrade option: a 700+ horsepower BLUEPRINT V8 engine. This engine, available for the entire Defender lineup and, for the first time, for Range Rover Classic builds, responds to client demand for high-performance vehicles that blend classic aesthetics with modern capabilities. The upgrade includes essential enhancements like an integrated supercharger, advanced cooling systems, and upgraded drivetrain components to manage increased torque. The goal is to offer clients a thrilling driving experience without sacrificing the classic look of their vehicles. The 700HP option is now open for new builds, targeting performance-focused collectors and luxury buyers, with the first unit already in production. ECD emphasizes its commitment to bespoke craftsmanship, combining classic design with modern performance standards.
Potential Positives
- Introduction of a 700+ horsepower BLUEPRINT V8 drivetrain enhances ECD Auto Design's product offerings, appealing to performance-focused luxury SUV buyers.
- First client Defender build with the new engine already in production, indicating strong demand and early adoption of the upgraded option.
- The integration of advanced performance features demonstrates ECD's commitment to innovation while maintaining the classic aesthetic that clients desire, potentially attracting a wider customer base.
- This new engine option is expected to strengthen ECD’s position in the luxury automotive market, appealing to collectors and driving enthusiasm among discerning buyers.
Potential Negatives
- There is no mention of any safety or regulatory considerations regarding the high-powered 700+ horsepower engine, which could raise concerns about compliance and customer safety.
- The press release does not address potential warranty implications or the longevity of the new engine options, which could be a significant concern for prospective buyers.
- There is no information provided on the pricing of the new 700HP option, which might deter customers if it is significantly higher than existing options, affecting overall sales volume.
FAQ
What is the new feature added by ECD Auto Design?
ECD Auto Design has introduced a 700+ horsepower BLUEPRINT V8 engine as an upgrade option across the Defender lineup.
Which models can get the 700HP BLUEPRINT engine?
The 700HP BLUEPRINT engine is available for Defender 90, 110, 130 commissions, and Range Rover Classic builds.
How does the new engine enhance performance?
The engine upgrade includes an integrated supercharger, enhanced cooling systems, and refined ECU tuning for improved drivability.
Why did ECD Auto Design create this engine?
The 700HP engine was developed in response to client demand for a more powerful luxury SUV experience.
What distinguishes ECD's builds from competitors?
Each ECD vehicle is fully bespoke, handcrafted in 2,200 hours by ASE-certified craftsmen, ensuring exceptional quality and customization.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$ECDA Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 8 institutional investors add shares of $ECDA stock to their portfolio, and 6 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- EVERNEST FINANCIAL ADVISORS, LLC removed 62,599 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $36,764
- FOUNDERS FINANCIAL SECURITIES LLC removed 28,000 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $26,880
- TUTTLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC removed 19,004 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $18,243
- XTX TOPCO LTD removed 16,825 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $16,152
- STATE STREET CORP added 14,393 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $13,817
- TWO SIGMA SECURITIES, LLC added 10,466 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $10,047
- CITADEL ADVISORS LLC added 10,185 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $9,777
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
KISSIMMEE, Fla., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECD Auto Design (NASDAQ: ECDA), the global leader in custom Land Rover Defenders, has added its most powerful drivetrain to date: a
700+ horsepower BLUEPRINT V8
, now available as an upgrade option across the
Defender lineup
—and for the first time, also as a performance option for
Range Rover Classic builds
.
This engine isn’t a gimmick. It’s a direct result of client demand—bringing together decades of LS-based experience, clever integration, and the visceral performance that discerning buyers crave. With the first client Defender build already in production, the 700HP option sets a new benchmark for what’s possible in a luxury SUV rooted in heritage but built for today.
“We’ve worked with LS-based platforms for years, so this evolution felt natural,” said
Elliot Humble
, Co-Founder and Head of Engineering at ECD. “The real work was in smart packaging—integrating the supercharger, updating the front-end assembly, adding cooling, and upgrading the drivetrain to handle the torque. The fun part is, it looks like a classic Defender—but it drives like nothing else.”
A Power-First, Client-Driven Evolution
Rather than reinventing the wheel, ECD built on a trusted foundation—leveraging their extensive experience with LS-based drivetrains to offer an even more thrilling option for clients who want the feel of a classic with the power of a modern supercar.
Key upgrades for the 700+ HP configuration include:
New front-end rotating assembly to house the integrated supercharger
Enhanced cooling systems to manage added thermal load
Upgraded transmission, transfer case, and differentials to handle the increased torque
Refined ECU tuning and throttle mapping to maintain smooth drivability
Every ECD build is handcrafted, and now clients who want a Defender—or a Range Rover Classic—with untamed acceleration and unmistakable sound have a new option that fits seamlessly into the company’s bespoke process.
Designed for Drivers Who Want More
This offering is tailor-made for the client who wants to turn up the volume on an already bold design. Whether it's cruising coastal highways or stealing the spotlight at a private collection, the 700HP Defender or Range Rover Classic adds American muscle to British heritage in a way that feels both timeless and thrillingly modern.
“It’s not about chasing numbers,” added Humble. “It’s about giving clients the freedom to dream—and then making those dreams driveable. This engine is just another example of how we listen, evolve, and deliver.”
Now Available for New Builds
The 700HP BLUEPRINT engine is now available for
Defender 90, 110, and 130 commissions
—as well as
Range Rover Classic builds
. With the first vehicle already on the production line, this new option is expected to become a favorite among performance-focused collectors and luxury clients alike.
View
images
of the Blueprint engine being installed
About ECD Auto Design
ECD, a public company trading under ECDA on the Nasdaq, is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic beauty with modern performance. Currently, ECD restores Land Rovers Series, Land Rover Series IIA, the Range Rover Classic, Jaguar E-Type, Ford Mustang, Toyota FJ, and highly specialized vehicles from its Boutique Studio. Each vehicle produced by ECD 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 Automotive Service Excellence (“ASE”) craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British “gear heads’ whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. ECD’s global headquarters, is a 100,000-square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Florida that is home to 105 talented and dedicated employees that hold combined 80 ASE and five master level certifications. ECD has an affiliated logistics center in the U.K. where its seven employees work to source and transport 25-year-old work vehicles back to the U.S. for restoration. For more information, visit
www.ecdautodesign.com
.
Media Contact:
Kevin Kastner
Chief Revenue Officer
kastnerk@ecdautodesign.com
407-738-1056
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a4fbef25-f03f-4c8e-9dbc-389ca08e11ed
This article was originally published on Quiver News, read the full story.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
