Bowler reimagines classic Land Rover Defender
Bowler’s next road-going high-performance model will be based on the recently superseded Defender 110 station wagon silhouette.
Nov 5, 2020
Bowler Motors will work alongside Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division to co-develop the new model, which will sit adjacent to other Land Rover-based off-road competition rally vehicles.
Codenamed ‘CSP 575’, the vehicle will be the first production Land Rover to arrive following the British carmaker’s acquisition of Bowler Motors, and the first Bowler model to be revealed since 2016.
Land Rover has given Bowler permission to produce vehicles using the classic Defender shape in the next phase of development for the UK-based manufacturer of all-terrain performance cars and rally raid vehicles.
The new agreement paves the way for Bowler to develop a new family of high-performance models, beginning with a project codenamed ‘CSP 575’ – a new road-going vehicle with Bowler’s own rally-proven CSP high-strength steel chassis, aluminium alloy Defender 110 Station Wagon body panels and Land Rover’s 575PS (422kW) supercharged V8.
Land Rover says the project will supplement the ongoing motorsport developments that are the foundation of Bowler’s past, present and future plans.
Initial renders of the planned 4x4 provide a glimpse of the rally-derived model, which will be the first new Bowler since 2016 when it goes on sale next year.
Full details will be revealed early next year, but the competition-inspired off-roader promises to combine potent performance and motorsport-honed durability in a classic Defender 110 Station Wagon shape capable of accommodating four passengers.
Founded in 1985, Bowler pioneered the production of dedicated off-road competition cars in the UK. Jaguar Land Rover acquired Bowler at the end of 2019 and its expert team has been developing a number of exciting projects as part of Special Vehicle Operations.
Land Rover says that the decision to issue Bowler with a licence agreement to build vehicles using the classic Defender shape is a natural progression of the ongoing relationship between Bowler and Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. It says the new station wagon project represents a unique undertaking – integrating the technology, components and engineering excellence underpinning Land Rover’s SV products with Bowler’s motorsport expertise and experience.
The new model will be manufactured in small quantities at Bowler’s headquarters in Derbyshire, UK, by the same engineers and technicians producing its competition 4x4s.
With global appeal but targeted at customers in the UK and select overseas markets, indicative pricing for the new model is around £200,000 in the UK.
“Having Bowler create this high-performance road goer is yet another favour to the heritage of the Defender. It’s great to see the Land Rover name, care of Bowler Motors amongst some of the toughest motorsport events,” commented Steve Kenchington, General Manager, Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand.