Defender Works V8 Trophy is a £200k tribute
With the exception of a handful of locations, if man has been there, then so too has a Land Rover Defender. From the depths of the Amazon jungle to the lofty heights of Mount Elbrus (all 5,642m of it), the rugged 4x4 has conquered much of the world, in the hands of civilians, explorers, militaries and aid organisations to name just a few. But with the launch of the new generation Defender, sceptics claimed that this expeditionary gene had been bred out. While that was soon dispelled when the new models hit the market, mourning for the original endured.
However, in the 40th anniversary year of the manufacturer’s debut in the legendary Camel Trophy, Land Rover Classic has offered a glimpse of hope to those die-hard purists, with the announcement of the limited edition, adventure-ready Defender Works V8 Trophy.
Twenty-five units of the 2012-2016 Defender Works V8, in both 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs, will be reengineered by JLR’s classic division, retaining the 405PS (298kW) 5.0-litre petrol V8 powertrain and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and with comprehensively uprated suspension, steering and brakes. The models will be finished in a unique ‘Eastnor Yellow’ paint colour with matching 16-inch steel wheels, plus contrasting black detailing.
On the inside, Recaro sports seats are decked out in a full black Windsor leather trim, with yellow stitch detailing and a Land Rover Trophy clock face by watchmaker Elliot Brown. Creature comforts come in the form of Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity.
But the cherry on the legendary cake is the extensive expedition equipment which comes fitted to the £195,000 model, along with the invitation to compete in an exclusive Land Rover Trophy adventure competition at Eastnor Castle.
Paying tribute to the iconic Camel Trophy 4x4s, the models feature a front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres. Unique Land Rover Trophy badging and personalised graphics will distinguish the cars further.
Rather than a conventional launch, buyers will be invited to ‘meet’ their Defenders later this year in a three-day adventure at Land Rover’s Herefordshire Experience Centre. Here, they will be joined by a number of JLR’s and given one-to-one off-road tuition, before embarking on a range of challenges inspired by historic Land Rover Expeditions.
Of the new model, Land Rover Classic Director Dan Pink 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 with 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.”
Land Rover
Defender
Land Rover Classic
Camel Trophy
