One-of-One Defender 90 Celebrates 60 Years of James Bond
Along with the livery, this Defender is packing a host of fortifications to make it even more capable.
First things first: if for some unfathomable reason you haven’t seen No Time to Die yet? You should stop reading right now, as this post contains spoilers. Because discussing this Land Rover Defender built for the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge without discussing the latest installment of the franchise will be — at least for me — completely impossible. That said? This rugged off-roader is one trick bit of kit. Along with the gold 60th anniversary livery, and the stylized list of all the Bond flicks on the hood, it’s packing a host of fortifications designed to make it an even more capable machine.
For starters, the luxurious interior of the road-going models has been ditched, a roll cage has been welded in, and the chairs have been replaced with racing units fitted with harnesses. Eagle-eyed folks will also spot the snorkel, which improves on the Defender’s already-impressive 35-inch wading depth, and the suspension has been beefed up as well. Under the hood, there’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of twist, and as with the stock version, power gets routed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic.
Like the title suggests, the Bowler Defender Challenge is a one-make rally that sees participants run seven stages in mechanically identical machines. The 2022 rally is already underway, and will run through November, when teams will tackle the Scottish Borders Hill Rally. Though this particular Defender will be piloted by Mark Higgins, an ace shoe with driving credits on Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die, the competition is open to drivers of all skill levels. So if you’ve ever wanted a taste of what folks experience on epic adventures on the Dakar, and you’ve got some coin burning a hole in your pocket, take note.
Now, for the whole No Time to Die problem. I say “problem,” because wow, did this movie ever leave me traumatized. Up until about three quarters of the way through, I was convinced it was among the series’ best films. But seriously, making James Bond a dad? And then killing him? What were the producers thinking? Yikes. Both of those things are beyond dumb to do to a dude who is supposed to be a lone wolf who lives only to put his ass on the line for queen and country. And honestly, am I the only person who thinks that 007 wouldn’t have gotten a vasectomy at the first available opportunity? That said, De Armas stole every scene she was in. Here’s hoping the next installment just ignores this film entirely.
Photos: Land Rover
