Rally-ready Land Rover Defender 007 revealed

Land Rover is celebrating 60 years of involvement in James Bond films by taking the covers off a special, one-off Defender 90.

Not to be confused with the ‘standard’ Bowler Defender Challenge racer we sampled recently, the rally-ready SUV is finished in a black and gold James Bond-inspired livery and kitted out with a host of motorsport-spec gear, including a full roll cage, bespoke performance suspension, racing harnesses and more.

There’s also additional cooling for the engine and transmission, along with a sports exhaust and new rear roof-mounted spoiler.

Meanwhile, strengthened 18-inch Bowler wheels are fitted with all-terrain tyres for competition use.

Based on the Defender 90 P300 and powered by the British car-maker’s 221kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, the highly-specced Defender’s livery features a 007 60th logo on the roof and sides.

Three-times British rally champion – and stunt driver – Mark Higgins and co-driver Claire Williams will take on the North Wales leg of the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge in the 007 car on March 26.

Higgins is the man behind the iconic driving stunts seen in four James Bond films – Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die – and says he’s confident the pair will get a great result.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Land Rover brand director Finbar McFall, said: “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.”