Land Rover Defender – Adventure Time

There are few vehicles as instantly recognisable as the Land Rover. It is a symbol for four-wheeled freedom and adventure. It might not be the last work in luxury, nor even comfort (owners are nodding along now), but you don’t need massage seats and climate control to conquer worlds. What you need is the kind of drivetrain and off-road ability that can turn mountains into the hills of moles. And that is what the Defender had. But the original Land Rover Defender, the evolution of the ‘series’ Land Rover is dead now, right?

Well, as it happens, no. Land Rover Classic is the latest company to offer an extension of life to an otherwise discontinued model. It has form with old Range Rovers, so why not have some fun with the 110 and 90 Defender? And fun is most definitely what we’re seeing here. No metallic paints, no shiny alloy wheels, no walnut veneer and no deep pile carpets. No, this batch of 25 Land Rovers is being built for one reason and one reason only – adventure.

Based on the re-engineered 2012-2016 Defender Works V8 specification developed by Land Rover Classic, including 405PS / 515Nm 5.0-litre V8 petrol powertrain, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and comprehensive uprated suspension, steering and braking packages, these Trophy vehicles feature a wide range of additional upgrades specifically tailored for off-road use. Not for the school run.

They’ll be finished in a unique Eastnor Yellow paint colour, which is of course a nod to the Camel Trophy Land Rovers of old. There will be matching 16-inch steel wheels, while contrasting Narvik Black paintwork features on the wheel arches, bonnet and rear door. The purpose-built vehicles also receive LED headlamps, a Heritage front grille, unique Land Rover Trophy badging and event participation graphics personalised to each customer.

The Defender Works V8 Trophy is designed to tackle the most demanding endurance challenges. Additional all-terrain kit includes a front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres.

Inside, the instantly recognisable 4×4 benefits from full black Windsor leather upholstery with Recaro sport seats, contrast yellow stitching and a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity is also fitted.

Dan Pink, Director, Land Rover Classic, said: “The Land Rover Defender has always been more than just a vehicle, its engineering capability and suitability for overland expedition and all-terrain competition means it’s renowned for getting away from it all. The new Land Rover Trophy will bring this to life for a new generation of adventurers.

“Experiences are a key part of Land Rover Classic’s DNA and this whole concept comes directly from feedback we’ve received. Our customers want to create their own stories, battle scars and patina with their Works V8 Trophy vehicles from day one, fuelling campfire chats with like-minded enthusiasts.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting and memorable event, full of camaraderie, and continuing the Land Rover Trophy legend for years to come. Seeing the silhouette of these vehicles which you’ll instantly know as a Land Rover, traversing the hills at Eastnor, will be a defining moment of the adventure.”

Those lucky enough to be able to afford the eye-watering £195,000 starting price will be rewarded not only with a car, but also an experience. Land Rover Classic plans to handover all 25 at one event, held at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire – the spiritual home of Land Rover all-terrain training, testing and development. This will be the first time customers drive their car.

They’ll be given tuition, they’ll get their new machines very muddy indeed and they’ll be left with the lasting impression of just how capable this old machine can still be with the right, modern tweaks. And the day won’t stop there. Familiar faces from Land Rover’s adventure heritage feature in the Defender Works V8 Trophy launch film, including racing driver, stunt driver and Land Rover ambassador Jessica Hawkins, alongside Camel Trophy participants such as 1989 event winner Bob Ives. A number of these experts will also be on-hand at the Land Rover Trophy to share their knowledge and experiences.

It just goes to show that you can’t keep a good Land Rover down. These Trophy versions are perhaps the ultimate reincarnation of an off-road icon, and as such, if you have the means, you really, really should.