Twisted Defenders set to go electric with Evice deal
Land Rover specialist Twisted is set to bring electric power to its bespoke Defenders under a new deal.
The Yorkshire-based firm famous for its heavily upgraded classic Defenders has signed a letter of intent with EV powertrain experts Evice Technologies to use Evice’s technology in its vehicles.
The agreement will see Twisted undertake a feasibility study codenamed Project Overland later this year. The study car will appear at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance in early September before undergoing rigorous testing to assess the Evice hardware and software’s suitability for Defenders and other Twisted projects.
The Twisted Defender will be the second model to use Evice’s proprietary EV architecture after the Halcyon Rolls-Royce Corniche. Given Twisted’s reputation for creating high-performance Defenders, we wouldn’t be surprised if it packs the more powerful of the Halcyon’s drivetrains, with 507bhp. It’s not clear whether Project Overland will use the 77kWh or 94kWh batteries Evice supplies to Halycon, or a bespoke unit designed for Twisted.
Charles Fawcett, founder and managing director of Twisted Automotive, commented: “Twisted has always been heavily focussed on developing the absolute best version of its vehicles. This initial study with the team at Evice will enable Twisted to ensure any future EV offering fits its mantra, ‘The Best, Made Better’.”
Matthew Pearson, CEO at Evice Technologies, added: “Charles and the Twisted team are obsessed with perfecting the Land Rover driving experience. This aligns perfectly with our belief that electrification must build upon and complement the original character of the car.
“Following our success with Halcyon, this new partnership demonstrates the adaptability of our technology and highlights the global appetite for passion-driven, properly engineered EVs born in Britain.”
Beyond the Defender-based Project Overland, the two firms are understood to be exploring the use of EV powertrains in Twisted’s customised Range Rover Classic and TBug Baja Beetle recreations.
