Twisted’s North American division has confirmed the specifications of its NAS-E Defender, the US version of its electric Defender that’ll launch with a variant called the California. Using the same 60kWh battery pack as the UK conversion – extensive details of which were confirmed to PH last week – the four-wheel drive EV comes with 217hp and 280lb ft of torque or, in NAS-E Plus form, 320hp and 339lb ft. Range is rated at plus-200 miles, matching the British version.
Twisted hasn’t just slapped US badging onto its California to create its Virginia-built North American offering, with market-specific alterations said to create a near-silent Defender capable of exploring the “wilds of Yosemite and the alpine lakeside of Tahoe”. It’s also going to be rather more attractive to emission-conscious urbanites, of which there are certainly no shortage, particularly in cities on the US’s east and west coasts. Twisted is marketing this is a thoroughbred off-roader, though.
Familiar features from the UK setup are the engine bay-located electric motor and accompanying four-wheel drive gearing, including a reduction direct transmission, step down direct transfer case and Land Rover’s high and low range hardware. As Twisted’s chief operations officer for the EV work, Bruce Riggs, told PH last week, it’s all there to retain the Defender’s brilliant all-terrain capabilities, only without the tailpipes. And an American theme.
For starters, the California – which takes inspiration from Land Rover’s original NAS Defender – comes with bull bars and an open roll cage bearing spotlights, which would make this Defender seem entirely out of place on the M62, but wholly appropriate for the San Diego beachfront. There are also three vibrant colours inspired by California, Malibu Yellow, Yosemite Green and Tahloe Blue, and a Bimini hood for those rare grey sky days.
Only 30 Californias are due to be made, with prices starting at $185,000 for the NAS-E (about £145,700), and $210,000 (£165,400) for the NAS-E Plus. Not cheap – and a fair chunk pricier than the UK EV conversion cost of £83,940 (which includes VAT but excludes the donor car). But expect every California to be snapped up in quick succession.
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