Bowler Extreme model is a near-OE take on the original Spectre 110

NEW 4X4S

Bowler pitches in to top-end Defender market with introduction of new Extreme conversion

NEW 4X4S

Bowler Motors has launched the Extreme – a Land Rover Defender conversion based on the company’s original blueprint for the iconic Spectre 110 that’s been so widely copied since the Bond movie of the same name fi rst came out.

Available in 90, 110 and 130 form, the conversion can be carried out on customers’ own vehicles or donors sourced by Bowler. It features Bowler’s Stage 2 Fast Road package, which uses a remapped ECU and race-spec intercooler along with a deleted centre exhaust box to boost the 2.2 TDCi engine’s output to 175bhp and 332lbf.ft.

Helping make the most of this extra power and torque is Bowler’s Fast Road suspension package, with a +2” lift making room for 35” BFGoodrich Mud-Terrains on deeply offset alloys with beadlock rims. No, not quite the 37s of the Spectre original, but more than enough to give you limitless presence on the road. These have Bowler’s uprated brake package behind them, using 334mm front and 297mm rear discs along with 4-pot calipers developed in partnership with Alcon.

The aggression of the Defender’s lifted stance is augmented by Bowler’s lightweight bumper and steering guard, bonnet vents, rear step and, of course, a set of its enormous Bulldog wheelarches.

The vehicle also gets a full Safety Devices roll cage and integral roof rack, with the latter mounting a set of Sentinel LED spotlights from Lazer Lamps. The rest of the front lights are similarly upgraded too, and a pair of LED cubes take their place as work lights on the back of the cage.

Inside, Bowler Extreme customers will take their seat in a cabin trimmed with a bespoke blend of leather and fabric. With all vehicles built to commission, this can be specifi ed to suit each customer’s individual taste – as can the exterior paint colour. An upgraded stereo system and Momo steering wheel are standard equipment , as are Bowler’s own dimple-died gear and transfer levers.

The conversion is rounded off with a full soundproofi ng set, carpeting throughout and various fi xtures and fi ttings in billet aluminium. It’s a familiar recipe in some ways – but with the credibility of Bowler’s name behind it, not to mention the fact that the company is now part of Land Rover’s own SVO empire, this is a Defender conversion with an above-average pedigree.

Does this translate into an above-average price? This will vary depending on the model year and condition of the base vehicle – however if you’re wanting a Spectre copy done on the cheap, you needn’t expect the company that created the original vehicle to be a great deal of help.