THE MUD LIFE SPECIAL ISSUE - 10 FEBRUARY 2021
l a i c e p S n o i t i Ed
Defender Works V8 Trophy
REVEALED
Hi everyone, and a warm welcome to you all for this very special, and one-off issue of the Mud Life to celebrate the release of the new re-engineered Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles.
A what now? Yes, Land Rover Classic are building 25 re-engineered Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles for an adventure event at Eastnor Castle in later on in 2021.
History Throughout its history, Land Rover has had an enviable reputation of building tough and capable expedition and trophy vehicles, the most famous being the Camel Trophy that was first held back in 1980.
This first event was organised by a group of German’s and planned as a one-off publicity stunt for Camel tobacco and drove the notoriously tough Trans-Amazonian Highway in Brazil using 3 Ford U50s, a licensed Brazilian made Jeep.
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News of their adventure captured the imaginations of 4x4 junkies around the globe, including Land Rover, who from 1981 and for the next 17 years, provided fully kitted vehicles from Series IIIs, Classic Range Rovers, Defenders, Discoverys and finally the Freelander in 1998. So what Land Rover don’t know about creating tough, expedition prepared 4x4s, frankly isn’t worth knowing.
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Defender Works V8 70th Edition In 2018, two years after the final classic/original Defender (call it what you will), left the factory gates, Land Rover Classic decided to celebrate its 70th anniversary by creating the most powerful, most refined Defender ever: the 400bhp Defender Works V8 70th Edition. Powered by a 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine that delivers 515Nm of torque and the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox from Range Rover Sport, the Defender Works V8 will take you from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 106mph. Land Rover Classic didn’t simply shoehorn a massive engine and gearbox into the venerable Defender, they did it properly and included a dual-speed transfer box with automatic torque biasing centre differential. They also reconfigured the suspension, improved springs and dampers, added all-new 18” diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels, all-terrain tyres and of course, upgraded the brakes to provide additional driving confidence and stopping power.
And now there’s a new collectors edition in town…
Land Rover Def Works V8 Trophy Edition
fender
For 2021, Land Rover Classic is going one better, they’re building 25 adventure-ready Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles that pay tribute to the Defender’s expedition legacy. Each Works V8 Trophy is reengineered by Land Rover Classic and features the same mechanical marvels as in their 70th Edition a huge 400bhp, 5.0 litre petrol V8 and ZF 8-speed automatic ‘box. In addition, the Defender Works V8 Trophy includes a front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres. The purpose-built Defenders will also receive LED headlamps, a Heritage front grille, unique Land Rover Trophy badging and event participation graphics personalised to each customer. Buyers will have a choice of either 90 and 110 Station Wagon designs that will be resplendent in a unique Eastnor Yellow paint job with contrasting Narvik Black paintwork on the wheel arches, bonnet and rear door.
Just because it’s a Trophy style Defender doesn’t mean you’ll find PVC seat covers and a naff interior, far from it, Land Rover Classic are fitting the V8 Trophy with a full black Windsor leather upholstery with Recaro sports seats, contrast yellow stitching and a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity is also fitted.
With prices starting from £195,000 for a 90 here in the UK, buying a Defender Works V8 Trophy also includes entry to an exclusive Land Rover Trophy adventure competition held at Eastnor Castle, the spiritual home of Land Rover testing and development. Later this year, subject to COVID-19 restrictions of course, Defender Works V8 Trophy customers will be invited to compete in an exclusive three-day adventure, which will be the first time customers will get to see and drive their Defenders! From there, customers and their co-drivers will make their first marks on their pride and joys by adding their names and country flags to their vehicle, then they’ll receive expert one-to-one tuition giving them
a unique opportunity to develop extreme driving techniques and skills in their own vehicle, before putting their training to the test. For the next three days they will embark on a range of Camel Trophy and G4-esque challenges that only Land Rover do best. There are a range of prizes, including a grand prize for the overall winner, but they won’t be announced until later in 2021.
watch the video
click on the picture
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION Engine capacity (cc)
4,999
Cylinders
V8 naturally-aspirated petrol (EU5)
Power (PS)
405 @ 6,000rpm
Torque (Nm)
515 @ 5,000rpm
Transmission
8-speed automatic with Pistol Shifter, All-Wheel Drive, twospeed transfer box, heavy-duty front and rear differentials, torque-biasing centre differential
CHASSIS Front and rear suspension
Front: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. Panhard rod and radius arms. Anti-roll bar Rear: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. ‘A’ frame and trailing links. Anti-roll bar.
Front brakes
Servo-assisted, 335mm discs, four-piston calipers
Rear brakes
Servo-assisted, 300mm discs, four-piston calipers
Wheels and tyres
16in heavy-duty steel wheels, 235/85 R16 mud-terrain tyres
Dan Pink, Director at Land Rover Classic, 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 likeminded 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.”
If you fancy a Defender Works V8 Trophy head to: www.landrover.com email: sales@classic-jaguarlandrover.com or call 02476 566 600
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DAMIAN TURNER Editor-in-Chief, Writer, Photographer, Reviewer
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Creative Director, Layout Designer, Reviewer