Bowler Defender to debut at CarFest South
They're going to race them next year, and this is Bowler's road-going car
Add EXR to Defender and this is the result!
Ostensibly based on a 90 XS, this Defender has been totally overhauled by Bowler to create something spectacular. A bespoke Bowler suspension kit featuring new springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bushes is just the start. There's a brake upgrade package, 18-inch Compomotive wheels, a half-cage (with the fold-down seats still usable) and Recaro front chairs.
And that's before we talk performance. Bowler wouldn't release any specific outputs, but the claims are fairly wild. Using the standard engine and recalcitrant gearbox, it now has a Defender reputedly capable of 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds. A standard Defender 90 takes 15.8 seconds. We're told most of the engine work is, unbelievably, just electronic,but will endeavour to add more detail as it's released.
Bowler claims it can still do this too
The guys at Bowler made a specific point about their intentions with this car: "We're not adding luxury, we're making a better Defender". To that end, it retains the same off-road and towing capabilities of the standard car. The latter much quicker, presumably
The Bowler Defender will be on display at CarFest South this weekend. Whilst an on-sale date hasn't yet been released (this very car was only finished on Wednesday!), it will be available through Stratstone Land Rover dealers as part of the pair's new agreement. We've been promised a drive ASAP; given what happened with Monkey in an EXR S, that's a hugely tempting prospect.
I'm sure it'll be good - a stupid price no doubt, but very good
But it is NOT a modern Defender.
Combine with a quick enough gear change and AWD traction off the line, it's not unreasonable to get a vehicle like this down to 7.5 sec 0-60mph.
Lets not forget a 4.0 Jeep Wrangler (almost identical basic design and dimensions as a Defender) was capable of 8.4 sec 0-60mph 20 years ago. Oddly enough it made around 170bhp.
And the standard bumper isn't exacty heavy
Of course the engine is different... they are different company's.
But they both use quite a similar designed ladder frame chassis. The Defender has a 92.9" wheelbase vs 93.1" for the Wrangler (YJ/TJ).
They use quite similar live axles. The Defender's hailing from a Rover P4 and the Wrangler using Dana axles. Although older 110 Defenders used a "Salisbury" rear axle, which is a copy of a Dana 60 axle, parts are even interchangeable.
Very similar width and length too. In terms of weight:
Wrangler 1451-1525kg according to the web.
Defender/Ninety 1630kg with the old boat anchor Tdi. A Puma engine should weigh less.
With the fact that several firms have been making souped up Defenders for a while, with JE's Zulu really being the pinnacle I have to say that I expected a little more from Bowler than this.
Disco chassis and engine, what's stopping them?
Disco chassis and engine, what's stopping them?
I would love a rough, tough landrover but with proper difflocks, a modern sized cab where someone 6'4" can sit in comfort, a decent heater and the same engine as your navarra with a gearbox to match. Basically they need to make a G Wagen!
Remember the "Defender" or earlier "Ninety" was also fitted with the Rover V8, in 3.5, 3.9 and 4.0 litre guises. There were even a few 2.0MPi petrol ones too.
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