Jaunt’s Generation 2 Electric Land Rover

Classic Series Land Rovers delight enthusiasts yet struggle with modern expectations for emissions, safety and daily usability. The brief: retain the ladder-frame, leaf-spring DNA while replacing every weak driveline link. All high-voltage components had to fit beneath heritage bodywork, keep ground clearance and seat five. Australian Design Rules and VSB14 demanded proof of steering strength, brake performance, seat-belt anchorage and battery crashworthiness – standards rarely attempted in low-volume restorations. The solution also had to enable 70 kW CCS fast charging and a silent touring range of 250 km.

A single 55 kWh battery in a 3 mm steel enclosure feeds a rotated Tesla Model 3 drive unit re-geared to 4.5 : 1 and fitted with a torque-biasing differential for permanent 4WD. Re-engineered high-angle CV prop-shafts and 3.54 : 1 Defender diffs manage 198 kW / 330 Nm without vibration. Bosch iBooster-controlled four-wheel disc brakes and rear electric park-brake exceed ADR distances, while parabolic springs and Old Man Emu dampers restore ride. CCS2 delivers 70 kW DC and 6.6 kW AC; a 400 V compressor with PTC heater supplies climate control. A magnetically-sensed, hand-throttle-style selector enables true one-pedal driving.

Generation 2 has reduced build hours and complexity, allowing Jaunt’s 14-person Melbourne team to offer a more robust, repeatable conversion. Owners now drive daily, access low-emission zones and enjoy silent wildlife viewing – experiences impossible with ICE models. Demonstrated compliance with steering, braking, seat-belt and battery regulations shows that classic decarbonisation can meet stringent ADRs without sacrificing heritage. The reversible architecture keeps bodies intact, extending cultural life rather than forcing scrappage.

400 V architecture – OEM-grade pack, inverter and compressor simplify service and parts sourcing. Permanent 4WD – Tesla drive unit rotated 90° and re-geared 4.5 : 1; torque-bias diff removes bulky transfer case yet keeps low-speed control. Battery protection – 55 kWh engine-bay pack in 3 mm steel box FEA-validated to 20 g frontal, 15 g side, 10 g rear & rollover; HVIL + service disconnect. CCS2 charging – 6.6 kW AC, 70 kW DC, plus 240 V vehicle-to-load for campsite or workshop tools. All-disc braking – Bosch iBooster, proportioning valve and rear EPB calipers give modern pedal feel without vacuum pumps. Full CAN / PDM re-wire – Solid-state fusing, programmable relays and low-voltage cut-off protect a 100 Ah AGM battery and aid diagnostics. Column-switch ergonomics – Defender stalks, NFC arm key and magnetically-sensed drive selector maintain vintage cabin look. Bolt-in seat-belt hoop – 50 × 2 mm CDS bar meets ADR 5/05 14 kN load for three-point reels in soft-tops. Parabolic springs + tuned dampers – Improve ride and curb body-roll without sacrificing articulation. Re-engineered prop-shafts – High-angle CV design cuts vibration at 110 km/h and reduces rotating mass.