Another one by the team at Orlando-based East Coast Defender. Few weeks ago, we featured the insane, Corvette-powered Project Viper Defender 130. And now, this: a 430-hp Defender dubbed Project Honey Badger that cost a cool $159,000 US to build. The owner of this beast is on a roll; first, with Project Sandstorm. And now, with Project Honey Badger by the same group at ECD.
Performance and Handling
Rolling on 18-inch sawtooth wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 tires, this machine makes 430 horsepower via a 6.2L Chevrolet LS3 V8 engine. In turn, it will hit 0-60 in under 6 seconds due to a new transmission option for those selecting the LS3 drivetrain using the T56 6-speed manual transmission. The result? It’s a Defender 90, unlike anything we’ve seen in a while.
Aside from the menacing blacked-out, clean look with full LED lighting and a Porsche Dunkelolive Metallic paint scheme, this Defender will handle its own in the wild: the transfer case is upgraded with a limited-slip differential and finds a Borla exhaust in the back. A Ron Davis radiator and stainless brake and fuel lines round things off.
The cabin
Inside, Project Honey Badger finds a full roll cage, classic instruments Moal Bomber gauges, ivory leather Corbeau seats with black accent stitching, a Quark steering wheel by MOMO, and an infotainment setup by Kenwood with a backup camera, wi-fi, and a speakers/sub by JBL.
