Jaunt Electric Land Rover – Generation 2

Jaunt’s Victorian-based engineering team used a mix of digital and physical development to create Generation 2. CAD modelling, FEA and 3D printing enabled validation of custom parts including battery enclosures, drive unit mounts, seatbelt hoops and accessory brackets.

Every system - brakes, driveline, climate control and low-voltage architecture - was designed from scratch to integrate with the original chassis and body. The 400V drivetrain uses a Tesla Model 3 unit rotated and re-geared to deliver permanent AWD through a torque-biasing diff. A single front-mounted 55 kWh battery pack in a 3 mm steel enclosure feeds the system, with CCS2 delivering 70 kW DC fast charging and 6.6 kW AC charging.

Compliance to ADRs was engineered in: steering torque, braking distance, belt anchorage, crush strength and electrical isolation were all tested. The full vehicle was re-wired using CAN-connected PDMs and solid-state fusing, allowing precise control, diagnostics, and data logging.

Vehicle assembly uses a repeatable bill of process - with jigs, laser-cut brackets and CNC-finished parts. Battery packs and wiring looms are pre-assembled, reducing time on vehicle. The process enables repeatable builds in Jaunt’s Melbourne workshop while keeping costs and time down.

The Generation 2 vehicle preserves the form and character of the original while improving every measurable function. 198 kW of power, 0–100 km/h in 8 seconds, and real off-road capability make it practical, safe and road-legal.

Safety and quality were engineered in from the start: Bosch iBooster brakes system, electric park brake, CNC machined battery mounts, and military spec, weatherproof wiring looms. The battery enclosure was FEA-validated to withstand up to 20 g frontal and 10 g rollover loads.

Form is preserved with original aluminium panels, matching galvanised finishes, a hidden charge port, and a bespoke magnetically-sensed drive selector that echoes the vintage hand throttle. The user experience blends the analog charm of a Land Rover with modern confidence. New drivers feel secure, old hands feel connected. A flat floor improves interior usability.

CAN re-wiring enables diagnostics, solid-state protection and seamless control of accessories. Ride quality is significantly better through parabolic springs and tuned dampers. Jaunt’s build process allows limited production of repeatable vehicles - a commercial-grade system designed in Victoria. The project shows how high-quality vehicle design and manufacture can thrive at small scale, delivering international-calibre outcomes from a 14-person Melbourne team.

This is the first Australian EV to feature a centrally-mounted OEM drive unit delivering true permanent 4WD through a torque-biasing diff - all without a transfer case. Re-geared planetary sets and custom CV prop-shafts preserve ground clearance and reduce vibration.

A front battery enclosure doubles as structural bracing, meeting 20 g impact with just 3 mm walls. The vehicle uses dual coolant loops (battery and drive unit) in a shared-flow PWR radiator stack - an architecture more common in OEM EVs than boutique builds.

Hall-effect throttle position sensing is magnetically integrated into a CNC drive selector, delivering five-state redundancy with zero wear. The CAN-based control system logs transient electrical faults, supports remote diagnostics and enables user-level programming - something no other heritage EV offers.

Bolt-in seatbelt hoops and PDM-wired lighting modules make the platform road-legal and repeatable. Laser-etched inspection marks, smart low-voltage architecture and modular packaging offer innovation not just in product, but in process.

Client: Jaunt can now build more vehicles in less time, with higher quality and lower certification risk. Five dedicated engineering roles were created in Melbourne.

User: Classic owners get modern EV usability without losing charm. The drive is quiet, capable, and engaging.

Environmental: Using original chassis and panels avoids 3–5 tonnes of embodied CO₂. The platform supports grid charging and vehicle-to-load export. It can be upgraded, repaired, and maintained for decades - with no combustion components.

Market: This project shows a new path for low-volume vehicle manufacturing in Australia. By engineering repeatable compliance and leveraging OEM EV parts, it makes heritage decarbonisation technically and commercially viable.

Policy: Jaunt’s documented compliance with ADRs is already shared within working groups, offering a template for others seeking to electrify specialty vehicles.

Generation 2 is built to be sustainable, repairable, and upgradable. The 400V battery is housed in a modular, serviceable enclosure using standardised form factors. High-voltage isolators and interlocks make it safe to service or replace without special tools. Unlike bespoke conversions, this pack is swappable - not embedded.

The re-used body panels and frames mean each build avoids the embodied emissions of new vehicle casting. Interior trims are minimal and modular; adhesives are avoided in favour of serviceable mechanical fixings.

Every electrical component is weather-sealed and removable, with standard Deutsch or automotive connectors - not soldered or glued. Control wiring uses solid-state fuse modules, CAN bus controls, and programmable relays. These systems not only reduce wire mass but make the vehicle easier to diagnose and maintain - prolonging its life and reducing waste.

The platform is designed for 20+ years of service, with clear documentation, documented specs, and updatable control logic. Where possible, parts are local, recycled, or readily available from existing supply chains. This is sustainability through engineering, not branding. No leather, no greenwashing - just smart systems designed for a long, maintainable life.