Cars

Rally raid-inspired revival for classic Land Rover Defender

The Bowler CSP 575 is a rally raid-inspired high-performance version of the classic Land Rover Defender
The Bowler CSP 575 is a rally raid-inspired high-performance version of the classic Land Rover Defender The Bowler CSP 575 is a rally raid-inspired high-performance version of the classic Land Rover Defender

WE always knew the classic Land Rover Defender wasn't going to quietly slip away... and now it's back, in the most outrageous fashion, with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, high-tech motorsport-proven components and a price tag of £200,000, writes William Scholes.

The vehicle carries the official blessing of Land Rover, too. This is no reverential homage, however.

It is being built by Bowler Motors, who are the company you go to if you fancy competing in something as extreme as the Dakar Rally.

Bowler has always based its 'rally raid' specials on Land Rovers - even if the resemblance is more suggestive than substantial - and last year the company was bought by Jaguar Land Rover and brought under its Special Vehicle Operations division.

This new vehicle is something of a statement of intent of what Bowler can achieve when it turns its attention to road-going high-performance cars.

Land Rover has given Bowler permission to use the silhouette of the classic long-wheelbase Defender 110 with the new car, which is still known by its project codename of CSP 575.

The Bowler CSP 575's Defender 110 silhouette covers an interior with a full roll cage and four seats
The Bowler CSP 575's Defender 110 silhouette covers an interior with a full roll cage and four seats The Bowler CSP 575's Defender 110 silhouette covers an interior with a full roll cage and four seats

It has what you might call presence. These early images show it to be recognisably a Defender, albeit one that has been on a course of steroids and some serious time bench-pressing other off-roaders; a Mercedes G-Class or beefed up Jeep Wrangler looks puny in comparison.

In truth, apart from the unmistakable silhouette, there is very little of the much-loved original Defender to be found under the CSP 575's aluminium alloy body panels.

It uses Bowler's rally-proven high-strength steel chassis and a stonking 567bhp version of Land Rover's supercharged 5.0-litre V8.

Other components are expected to be drawn from a combination of Bowler's own extensive catalogue and the pick of Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations engineering know-how.

The Bowler CSP 575 has what you might call presence. It is recognisably a Defender, albeit one that has been on a course of steroids and some serious time bench-pressing other off-roaders; a Mercedes G-Class or beefed up Jeep Wrangler looks puny in comparison

The car will have four seats, a roll cage and "some comfort features" including air conditioning - though be in no doubt, this is a hard-core, uncompromising performance vehicle, and unlikely to be ideally suited for the school run or a trip to the shops.

Exclusivity will be a given - Bowler hand builds its vehicles in Derbyshire - and Land Rover says it will cost around £200,000 when it goes on sale next year.

Michael van der Sande, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said the CSP 575 was the first major project since it had acquired Bowler.

"The CSP 575 will combine supercharged V8 performance and four-seat practicality with Bowler's rally raid-proven CSP platform, broadening the appeal of the brand," he said.

"This high-performance road-going model will sit alongside Bowler's evolving range of rally raid models, which continue to enjoy success in the world's toughest motorsport events."

Calum McKechnie, general manager of Bowler Motors, said that being able to use the classic Defender shape was "a unique opportunity".

"The Bowler name has stood for innovation for 35 years," he said.

"We're excited to combine our motorsport experience with the expertise available from Special Vehicle Operations to produce a thrilling competition-inspired Defender 110 Station Wagon for the road."

Bowler's own high-strength motorsport-specification chassis underpins the CSP 575
Bowler's own high-strength motorsport-specification chassis underpins the CSP 575 Bowler's own high-strength motorsport-specification chassis underpins the CSP 575
The Bowler CSP 575 is what happens when a classic Land Rover Defender 110 is sent to the gym for a very long time...
The Bowler CSP 575 is what happens when a classic Land Rover Defender 110 is sent to the gym for a very long time... The Bowler CSP 575 is what happens when a classic Land Rover Defender 110 is sent to the gym for a very long time...