Ready for Adventure: The Defender Trophy Edition is Back
The Defender Trophy Edition isn’t just an SUV — it’s a passport to Land Rover’s Adventure Competition Experience.
The Land Rover Defender is a rugged off-roader designed to tackle some of the most challenging terrain on the planet. That said, many owners will never tax it with more than running over the occasional curb, or a snowy trip up to the slopes. But it’s safe to say the Defender Trophy Edition is not for those folks. Rather, the 250 examples Land Rover will built will appeal to the most hardcore among the rig’s fanbase, who want to put its extreme capabilities to the test.
Along with a yellow and black livery reminiscent of the legendary Camel Trophy vehicles of the 1980s and 1990s, the 2023 Defender Trophy is built on the 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE platform. That means they’re packing a 3.0-liter turbo straight-six engine with hybrid assist, which is good for a robust 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to Land Rover’s full-time four-wheel drive system, all that that poke gets piped to all four corners. And there’s more where that came from.
Along with beefy tires and an active rear differential with torque vectoring, Trophy Editions also get Land Rover’s patented All Terrain Progress Control, which is essentially a low-speed, off-road cruise control. Just dial in your speed, and the vehicle will manage the gas and brake to keep you moving — so you can focus on picking lines and avoiding obstacles. A host of other equipment, including an expedition roof rack, a deployable ladder, an electronic winch, and an integrated air compressor are also onboard.
Buyers who truly want to test their mettle can sign up to participate in the Adventure Competition Experience, which is set to begin on October 8th of this year. The competition will be held Manchester, Vermont, and the obstacles will be as treacherous as the scenery is beautiful. Participation is limited to 90 two-person teams, and registration is first come, first serve. Additionally, up to 15 teams from last year’s competition are invited to participate, at a cost of $5,000.
The team that’s victorious in the States will then win a trip to the United Kingdom, where they’ll face off against competitors from around the globe. Stay tuned for more news on Land Rover’s Adventure Competition Experience — and keep your fingers crossed we get some killer video from the events!
Photos: Land Rover