ECD Automotive Design Introduces Project Wrangler A Manual-Driven Defender 110 Built for Pure Connection
Rhea-AI Summary
ECD Automotive Design (ECDA) unveiled Project Wrangler, a bespoke Defender 110 Soft Top focused on manual driving engagement and open-air experience. Key mechanical highlights include a 6.2L LT1 V8, Magnum T56 6-speed manual, Brembo brakes, ECD Air Ride suspension and a Borla Sport Dual Plus exhaust. Finished in Arles Blue with Narvik Black accents, features include 18" Kahn wheels, BFG all-terrain tires, classic bumpers, Safety Devices Explorer roof rack and NAS-style rear hardware.
The interior pairs Recaro Orthoped seating in Spinneybeck leather with Natural Sapele wood flooring, wireless Apple CarPlay, JL Audio, backup camera with blind-spot monitoring and a modernized electrical and A/C system front and rear.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, ECDA gained 7.16%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +24.4% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -5.2% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 12 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $46K to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $690,423 at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ECDA was down 2.33% while several auto peers were strongly positive, including FLYE up 37.6%, EVTV up 16.28%, and AYRO up 7.35%, suggesting stock-specific pressures rather than a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29 | Sales channel expansion | Positive | -40.4% | Launched Luxury Agent Program to expand reach and drive production growth. |
| Dec 26 | Product lineup update | Positive | +46.5% | Announced expanded 2026 product lineup and safety modernization initiatives. |
| Dec 24 | New build agreement | Positive | +12.1% | Reported initial six orders under third-party build deal to boost utilization. |
| Dec 23 | Vehicle showcase | Positive | -28.2% | Showcased Project Inizio, a modernized classic Series III build. |
| Dec 22 | Reverse stock split | Negative | -2.1% | Implemented 1-for-5 reverse split to support Nasdaq minimum bid compliance. |
Recent product and growth announcements have produced volatile and sometimes sharply negative reactions, even when the news itself was constructive.
Over late Dec 2025, ECDA issued multiple announcements on product expansion, new build programs, and a reverse stock split. The company unveiled new heritage and modern lineups, launched a Luxury Agent Program to broaden sales reach, and reported early traction on a third-party build agreement aimed at improving factory utilization and cash-flow dynamics. It also executed a 1-for-5 reverse split to support Nasdaq compliance. Market reactions have varied widely, with some positive responses to operational progress and steep selloffs following other seemingly positive product news.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +7.2% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the company’s strategy of highlighting bespoke builds like Project Wrangler to reinforce brand identity. Past news has triggered both sharp rallies and steep selloffs, so sustainability would depend on whether investors view this as evidence of enduring demand rather than a purely promotional event. Liquidity constraints and prior volatility around product announcements could still make any move above 5% vulnerable to reversal.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
KISSIMMEE, Fla., Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECD Automotive Design, the world’s largest Land Rover and Jaguar restoration company known for its bespoke Defenders, Range Rovers, Jaguar E-Types, Ford Mustangs, Toyota FJs, and the ECDXCTC INEOS Grenadier and Defender II, announces Project Wrangler, a Defender 110 Soft Top designed for drivers who value mechanical engagement, open-air freedom, and intentional craftsmanship. Built on the D110 platform, Project Wrangler blends classic Defender character with modern performance, placing the driving experience at the forefront.
Images of Project Wrangler
Video of Project Wrangler
At its core is a 6.2L LT1 V8 paired with a close-ratio Magnum T56 six-speed manual transmission, an increasingly rare combination that restores true driver involvement. Power is controlled with confidence through Brembo braking and the ECD Air Ride suspension system provides stability at speed and assured cornering, while a Borla stainless Sport Dual Plus exhaust provides a growling yet unmistakable soundtrack.
“Project Wrangler is about preserving the feeling of driving,” said Scott Wallace, CEO of ECD Automotive Design. “The manual transmission, the open soft top, and the raw V8 power create a connection you don’t get in modern vehicles. It’s built for people who want to be part of the experience.”
Finished in Arles Blue with Narvik Black accents, Project Wrangler balances heritage styling with a bold, contemporary presence. Details including 18-inch Kahn 1983 wheels, BFG All-Terrain tires, classic Defender bumpers, and a multi-point soft-top roll cage reinforce its rugged capability. Wrangler’s roof rack, a Safety Devices Explorer roof rack with integrated rear ladder, is a nod to the original roof rack system Land Rover added to all NAS Defender 90s. The vehicle’s wing-away spare carrier and NAS-style rear bumper further emphasize its readiness for real adventure.
Inside, the cabin showcases ECD’s signature craftsmanship. Although Wrangler is modeled after the classic Defender, ECD has completely modernized the vehicle’s interior to include a new a/c system in the front and rear and a newly wired electrical system, a stark contrast to its former life as a rugged utility truck. Recaro Orthoped seating throughout is wrapped in Spinneybeck leather with vertical diamond stitching, paired with a custom ECD center console featuring rear climate control. The Natural Sapele wood flooring, German square-weave carpeting, and Brazilian Rosewood accents, including the custom shifter knob, add warmth and tactile character, a further testament of the client’s hand-selected details.
Modern technology is thoughtfully integrated with a fully transformed dashboard that includes wireless Apple CarPlay, JL Audio sound system, and a backup camera with blind-spot monitoring and a digital rearview mirror ensuring everyday usability without compromising the vehicle’s classic appeal.
Project Wrangler, represents both the resilience of the classic Defender and ECD’s belief that driving should be engaging, intentional, and rewarding. Open to the elements and rooted in tradition, it stands as a modern classic built to be driven.
Project Wrangler Specifications
Model — D110 - Soft Top
Engine — 6.2L V8 - LT1
Transmission — Magnum T56 - 6 Speed Manual
Brakes — Brembo
Suspension — ECD Air Ride
Exhaust — Borla Stainless, Sport Dual Plus - Dual Outlets Left & Right
Exterior Color — Arles Blue
Wheels — 18" Kahn 1983 - Satin Black
Tires — BFG All Terrain - Black Walls Out
Side Steps — Power Folding Side Steps
Bumper — Classic w/ DRL's
Roof — Soft Top
Seat Layout — 2+3+4
Dash — Puma - Wrapped in Approved Leather
Seats — Recaro Orthoped - Wrapped in Approved Leather
Leather — Spinneybeck - Volo/ Sand
Stitch Style — Single Vertical Diamond
Custom features — Custom Shifter Knob Set Eight-Ball Style, Pedals CTC Silver Metal, Wood Flooring Natural Sapele - Gloss Finish with the Cargo Area: 2-Inch Vertical Panels with Black Caulking & 3-Inch Frame Around Edges
Steering Wheel — Momo Indy - Wood w/ Silver Spokes
Gauges — Classic White
Carpet — RELICATE - German Square
Radio — Touchscreen, Wireless CarPlay, BT
Subwoofer — Active Powered Sub
Additional features — Camera Back-up, remote locking and Alarm
About ECD Automotive 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, the ECDxCTC INEOS Grenadier and Defender II 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 95 talented and dedicated employees who hold a combined 80 ASE and five master level certifications. ECD has an affiliated logistics center in the U.K., where its five 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 Inquiries:
Dia Stewart
dia@ecdautodesign.com
(407) 483-4825
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd9b87a7-34bd-4417-aa55-6ca3ddc725a1
FAQ
What engine and transmission does ECD Project Wrangler (ECDA) use?
Which suspension and brakes are fitted to Project Wrangler (ECDA)?
What exterior and off-road features does the ECDA Project Wrangler include?
How has ECD updated the interior and technology in Project Wrangler (ECDA)?
Is Project Wrangler a hard-top or soft-top and what is the platform?
