Bowler Defender Challenge Archives

Land Rover celebrates 60th anniversary of James Bond movies by entering New Defender in special event

In 1962, Ursula Andress came out of the sea and was greeted by the late Sean Connery acting as James Bond Agent 007 in ‘Dr. No’. Who would have imagined that the movie franchise would continue with another 24 more right up to the 21^st century?

60 years for a movie franchise is certainly a long time and to celebrate the anniversary this year, Land Rover is entering a rally-prepared, liveried Defender 90 in the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge with Mark Higgins competing in the North Wales leg this weekend.

Higgins is not only a 3-time British Rally Champion but has also been a stunt driver in Bond movies. His driving skills were used in ‘Quantum of Solace’, ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’ and ‘No Time to Die’. He will make his return to rallying with co-driver Claire Williams on March 26

The Defender 90 the duo will use features a trademark black and gold Bond livery. The stealthy looking vehicle, like those in ‘No Time to Die’, also features a special 007 60th logo on its roof and sides.

“The New Defender is a tough and capable vehicle when it leaves the production line and I’ve seen it perform really challenging stunts while on the set of ‘No Time To Die’,” said Higgins. “With the race-ready enhancements made by the Bowler team and with Claire by my side, we are confident we can have a great result.”

The competition-ready Bond Defender is based on a current Defender 90, powered by the P300 Ingenium powertrain. It is equipped with a number of safety modifications, including a full roll-cage, enhanced cooling for the engine and transmission, a sports exhaust and new rear roof spoiler.

Other enhancements include strengthened 18-inch Bowler wheels with all-terrain tyres and a bespoke suspension design with modified subframes, new springs and unique turrets for increased stiffness.

“To celebrate Land Rover’s long-running association with the Bond franchise, our very own special agent will showcase the durability and all-terrain capability of Defender with a nod to its special appearance in ‘No Time To Die’,” said Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director.

Regulated by the Motor Sports Association and operated by Bowler, the 12-team 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge is designed to act as a feeder series for global rally-raid competitions including the annual Dakar rally.

The first time a Land Rover model had a noticeable presence was in ‘Octopussy’ (1983) and it was a Ranger Rover convertible. Thereafter, various models of the 4×4 brand would appear in ‘The Living Daylights’ (Series III/Range Rover), ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (Range Rover), Casino Royale (Range Rover Sport), ‘Quantum of Solace’ (Range Rover/Defender 90), Skyfall (Defender), ‘Spectre’ (Defender, Range Rover and Discovery Sport).

‘No Time to Die’, the final movie of the Daniel Craig series, saw some spectacular action with the Defenders flying through the air in pursuit of Bond. It was the first movie to have the New Defender which was launched in 2019. Based on the Defender X model in Santorini Black, with darkened skidpans, 20-inch dark finish wheels and professional off-road tyres, they were also the first Defenders to be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new production facility in Slovakia.

The New Defender 110 has been available in Malaysia since last year and Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia recently gave a sneak preview of the Defender 90 which is the shorter version with two less doors. To know more about the Defender or to purchase one, visit www.landrover.com.my.

Land Rover’s New Defender is now available in Malaysia, priced from RM798,800

Bowler Motors to prepare Land Rover Defender rallycar for championship series in 2022

Bowler Motors, an off-road performance vehicle specialist in the UK, has developed a Land Rover Defender rallycar that will compete in its own championship in 2022. Known as The Bowler Defender Challenge, it will consist of seven events in the UK, the first of which is scheduled to be in March.

There are 12 entries available for the one-make series, with each team competing in identical Bowler-prepared Defenders. For those with limited experience or none, the company can offer training and support to gain the necessary licence before moving directly to the series. The Challenge has been an ideal platform on which to gain motorsport know-how before joining other Bowlers and competing in rally-raid events across the globe.

For 2022 and beyond, the Challenge will continue to focus on delivering a fun environment that fosters the development of driving and competition skills yet retains the involving, engaging feel of a real motorsport family.

Defender 90 model used
Bowler will prepare the rallycars using the Defender 90 with a 300 ps Ingenium 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Each vehicle will be completely stripped back to install a full FIA-standard roll cage. The front and rear subframes are modified and given additional bracing for a new bespoke performance suspension set-up. Designed in collaboration with Fox, it increases the ride height by 25 mm. In place of the standard wheels are Bowler rally-spec 18-inch wheels.

Bowler’s engineers will add a suite of electronic components, from fire protection and electrical cut-offs to additional lighting and vehicle control systems – all integrated with the existing electrical architecture. Competition racing seats are also installed and the gear selector is repositioned for the optimal racing position. Additionally, Bowler-developed column-mounted paddle shifts will provide quicker shifting action.

Strengthened structure
During the conversion, the engineers subtly modify and stiffen the already rigid Defender bodyshell to cope with the extreme conditions of off-road competition. The standard doors are trimmed to remove the sill covering section, which allows the fitment of full-length, side-to-side underbody protection panels. A modified front end increases airflow to the cooling system and houses additional race-level lighting

Packages for the 2022 Challenge will start at £99,500 (about RM574,500) which the vehicle. Options include training, series logistics and vehicle support and customers can also choose from a range of accessories developed as part of this programme .

“The development of the new Bowler Defender Challenge rallycar perfectly illustrates the mutual benefits of Bowler joining Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. Our technical support married to Bowler’s legendary rally expertise has turned the extraordinarily capable Defender into a purposeful competition machine,” said Michael van der Sande, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations which has owned the Bowler business since 2019.

Incidentally, for those who are interested in getting a new Defender, we hear that Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia will make the model available in the near future. To register your interest, visit www.landrover.com.my.

*Latest Land Rover Defender, soon to be available in Malaysia.*

Special edition of Land Rover Defender pays tribute to expedition legacy of 4×4 brand

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