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LT1-Powered Land Rover Defender In Lamborghini Verde Mantis Is Certainly A Unique Restomod

Say hello to the only Land Rover Defender of its kind, painted in a bright shade of Verde Mantis lifted directly from Lamborghini’s palette.

This particular Defender spend the first 25 years of its life as a work vehicle in the UK before it was sent to E.C.D Automotive Design for a comprehensive overhaul. We have no idea how much the overhaul cost but it obviously wasn’t cheap.

E.C.D Automotive Design started its work by overhauling the Defender’s powertrain. Gone is the standard engine and in its place sits a GM-sourced 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated LT1 V8 coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is good for 450 hp and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque and sends the off-roader to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a respectable six seconds. Complementing the new engine are strengthened axles, adjustable air ride suspension, Brembo brakes, and a Borla stainless steel exhaust.

As for the exterior, it doesn’t just have a Verde Mantis finish but has a matte version of the striking paint color. Contrasting the green is a black convertible roof. The tuner has also slotted on a set of Kahn wheels, a classic Land Rover grille, a front bumper with LED daytime running lights, and a new rear bumper. There is also a multi-point roll cage, swing away wheel carrier, and full-length side steps.

The interior has also been overhauled so the off-roader now has a 2+2+2 layout. Found in both the front and second rows are desirable heated Recaro Cross Sportster CS seats clad in white leather. The Defender also sports white leather across the dashboard, door panels, and transmission tunnel. Black rubber mats are also found throughout, as is a Nardi Challenge steering wheel, new gauges, a Sony infotainment system, Infinity Kappa speakers, and tech features such as Bluetooth, WiFi, reversing sensors, front and rear cameras, blindspot assistant, and wireless charging.

Article Credit: Brad Anderson
Full Articles: https://www.carscoops.com/2022/05/lt1-powered-land-rover-defender-in-lamborghini-verde-mantis-is-certainly-a-unique-restomod/




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New Land Rover Defender 130: The Unstoppable 8-Seat Explorer

The most capable 4×4 family will grow with the introduction of the New Defender 130, designed for shared adventures with up to eight occupants

  • Global debut: New 8-seat Defender 130 will be revealed on 31 May 2022
  • Shared adventures: First image previews the New 8-seat Defender, designed for shared exploration and adventures across any terrain
  • Be the first: Order books open in line with reveal on 31 May

EPIC ALL-TERRAIN ADVENTURES FOR UP TO EIGHT WILL BE POSSIBLE WHEN NEW DEFENDER 130 BREAKS COVER ON 31 MAY.

Land Rover’s unstoppable 4×4 family will expand with the introduction of the practical Defender 130 body design, which will join the existing 90, 110 and commercial Hard Top derivatives.

New Defender 130 will be ready for any adventure with premium interior practicality for up to eight occupants, across three rows of seating. With a spacious 2-3-3 seat configuration, the latest digital technologies and advanced integrated chassis technologies, Defender is the toughest, most capable off-road expert.

Press Release: https://media.landrover.com/news/2022/05/new-land-rover-defender-130-unstoppable-8-seat-explorer





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Behind The HYPE: How the Land Rover Defender Became King of Customizable SUVs

This all-terrain icon has been a favorite amongst adventure seekers and luxury car connoisseurs.

The latest Behind the HYPE episode explores the history and lasting appeal of the Land Rover Defender, from its early manufacturing start in the late 1940s after World War 2 all the way through the model’s luxury status symbol today.

The Land Rover Defender is no doubt one of the most sought-after all-terrain vehicles amongst thrill ride seekers and luxury car fans alike. Big celebrity names such as Justin Bieber and Idris Elba are renowned for getting snapped by paparazzi driving their Defenders. It’s no secret that this SUV icon has serious car culture clout, too. For one, big fashion brands like Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton have utilized the ride in some of their stylized fashion shoots and ad campaigns. Appearances alongside these house-hold clothing brands have solidified the Land Rover as an aspirational car status symbol. In streetwear, Los Angeles imprint UNDEFEATED and Galpin motors created not one but two custom Defenders — a blue 110 series inspired by camping and a green surf-focused 90 P400. Elsewhere, toy brands like Lego and Hot Wheels have released their own renditions. The latter created designs mirroring the SUVs that appeared in the famous Fast and Furious film.

The Defender’s rugged city-to-country vibe is what makes it a lasting classic. The car has deep roots in outdoor, all-terrain driving which is at the core of its brand identity. More importantly, the British Army, Navy and Air Force have produced military versions of the model but has now since been retired for service. Consequently, as seen from heavy military and outdoor use, the Defender has been constantly customized by its most creative cult followers. While some prefer the ride’s stripped-down analog look of 90s models, others celebrate the Defender by engineering their own functional to futuristic renditions. Even vintage editions are snapped up at high prices because of their minimal styles, allowing for easier modifications.

In retrospect, today’s newer models start at a base price of $51,700 USD and can run up to $112,200 USD for the V8 Carpathian. Modified versions can even go higher in the six-figure range — UK-based custom workshop Arkonik released a few priced at approximately $240,000 USD which were designed by Bugatti alum Etienne Salomé.

Ultimately, The Land Rover Defender has seen a heavy evolution from its utilitarian British roots to a now global luxury lifestyle vehicle. Its design as a performance SUV is still unmatched and many changes under the hood and in looks have garnered it a wider cult-following. Many see the Land Rover Defender as the highest standard in all-terrain driving, while others will continue to hype over its appeal for customizations and timeless vintage style.

Watch our Behind The HYPE: Land Rover episode above and in case you missed it, see how the Rolls-Royce Phantom became today’s ultimate luxury car.

Article Credit: Felson Sajonas
Full Articles: https://hypebeast.com/2022/5/behind-the-hype-land-rover-defender



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Manhart’s Land Rover Defender Goes Hardcore

The new Defender has proved to be quite a hit for Land Rover who is gradually expanding its range with more powerful and off-road capable variants. For current Defender owners who want more from their SUV, Manhart is joining the game with a preview of the upcoming DP 450 tuning package.

Manhart’s Defender might only exist in the virtual world at the moment, but the official renderings look promising. Unlike other tuners like Chelsea Truck Company who tried to make the Defender look sportier, Manhart went the other way, emphasizing the rugged nature of the iconic off-roader.

Setting aside the golden accents on the bodywork contrasting the black shade in typical Manhart flavor, the DP 450 gets a new set of deadlock wheels shod in all-terrain tires and plenty of off-road-focused accessories. Those include a roof-mounted LED bar, a snorkel, a large bull bar, a heavy-duty multi-purpose winch on the metal skid plate, and a roof rack accessible through a ladder. Finally, the ground clearance appears to be increased, hinting at modifications on the stock air suspension.

Manhart didn’t go into specifics but promised an increased power output of 444 hp (331 kW / 450 PS). Mind you, in the Defender P300 the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS), while in the most powerful Defender V8, the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 produces 518 hp (386 kW / 525 PS).

Those who are interested in the aforementioned upgrades can contact Manhart for more information.

Article Credit: Thanos Pappas
Full Articles: https://www.carscoops.com/2022/05/manharts-land-rover-defender-goes-hardcore/




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2023 Ineos Grenadier Starts At £49,000 In The UK, Undercuts Land Rover Defender 110

The 2023 Ineos Grenadier will cost from £49,000 ($61,489) when it goes on sale in the UK next month, giving a clue to how the 4×4 will be priced when U.S. details are released later this year.

Kicking off the range is a two-seat Utility Wagon that comes with a full-height cargo barrier and flat floor,and is intended to compete with commercial versions of the Land Rover Defender. Technically, the cheapest of those, the short-wheelbase, 197 hp (200 PS) two-door Defender 90 Hardtop, undercuts the Grenadier by over £3,000 ($3,763). But to match the Grenadier’s space and 246 hp (249 PS) output you have to step up to the Defender 110 Hardtop, and that starts at £53,745 ($67,424).

North American prices for the French-built spiritual successor to the original Land Rover Defender are still being finalized ahead of a 2023 launch. But for context, the U.S.-market Defender 90 lineup opens at $52,300 for an entry-grade S car, and the 110 (which is available in non-S guise) begins at $51,700, though both those prices are for turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, a configuration the Grenadier doesn’t offer.

Ineos offers two engines, both turbocharged 3.0-liter, six-cylinder units from BMW driving all four wheels through a ZF8HP eight-speed automatic transmission. The B57 diesel punches out 246 hp (249 PS) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque, while the B58 gasoline alternative makes 282 hp (286 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm). Ineos also plans to offer a hydrogen fuel cell option in the future and has heavily invested in the technology.

The Grenadier Utility Wagon has a 73.7 cu-ft (2,088-liter) load capacity, can tow 7,720 lbs (3,500 kg) and winch 12,125 lbs (5,500 kg). But if you want a five-seat version, the cargo bay is cut to 40.7 cu ft (1,152 liters). The passenger version of the Grenadier doesn’t only cost you cargo space – it also costs you financially as the base five-seat Ineos starts at £52,000 ($65,235).

Buyers looking for something being a bare-bones Grenadier have a few configuration options to choose from, both developed with the Ineos-owned clothing brand Belstaff, which is well know for its motorcycle- and outdoor clothing, and costing from £59,000 ($74,000).

As its name suggests, the Grenadier Trailmaster is designed for life away from paved roads and comes with front and rear diff locks, BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, a raised car intake and an auxiliary battery. The spec of the Grenadier Fieldmaster, on the other, hand, suggests the nearest it’ll come to a field is when it rolls up the polo club. It comes with a “Smooth Pack”, which includes a back-up camera, puddle lamps, powered mirrors and heated leather seats.

Article Credit: Chris Chilton
Full Articles: https://www.carscoops.com/2022/04/2023-ineos-grenadier-starts-at-49000-in-the-uk-undercuts-land-rover-defender-110/