The classic Land Rover Defender’s popularity in the second-hand market hasn’t gone by unnoticed by some tuners who continually churn out new builds. One of them is East Coast Defender (ECD) and their latest proposal is the so-called Project Neo.


Based on the Defender 110, the Vulkan Grey Pearl 4×4 has been fitted with an exoskeleton, rear window guards, steel bumpers, full-length side steps, underbody protection and a winch. The fender flares, Kahn Mondial Retro wheels, 20-inch in size, shod in 32-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires and a few other features round up the changes made on the outside.

You’ll be even more impressed when stepping foot in the cabin, which has received two pairs of bucket seats, for the first and second rows, with heating and ventilation functions, and two forward-facing jump seats in the load area. The stock steering wheel has been replaced by a Momo unit, while there’s also a wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones, a JL Audio premium sound system complete with a subwoofer, reversing camera, custom gauges, rear air conditioning vents, keyless entry and a Viper alarm. Most touchable surfaces have been wrapped in black leather.


Pop the hood open and you will find a 6.2-liter, LS3 V8 engine. The Corvette-sourced power unit is rated at 565 hp and works in conjunction with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Other technical upgrades are the suspension lift kit, with Fox shocks and Old Man Emu springs, which have raised the ground clearance by 2 inches (5.1 cm), and a Borla exhaust system with double tailpipes.