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Highly-Modified Land Rover Defender 90 Owned by Jenson Button Is Up for Auction

Jenson Button has had a stellar Formula 1 career, having been crowned World Champion in 2019. His fans and the general public are used to seeing him driving racing cars, but in his day-to-day life, Button also drives regular cars, like the Land Rover Defender you see here.

Well, this particular Defender is not actually so “regular,” as it features a slew of modifications that make it strongest and more capable than your ordinary Land Rover. Some of the most notable upgrades include a V8 powertrain, uprated suspension, and a revised interior.

This bespoke example started life as a 1988 Land Rover 90, so it precedes the name “Defender,” which only became official in 1990. According to Collecting Cars, which currently has the vehicle up for sale, the Land Rover received an LS3 V8 upgrade in 2015 and a plethora of other improvements around the same time, most of them performed by Urban Automotive, self-described as “bespoke modifiers of luxury automotive brands.”

The rugged, boxy vehicle is now powered by a 6.2-liter Chevrolet Corvette LS3 V8 crate engine producing 430 hp (436 ps) at 5,900 rpm and 425 lb-ft (576 Nm) of torque at 4,600 rpm. Power is sent back to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

It rides on 18-inch by 9-inch Coastline Defender alloy wheels wrapped in 285/60R18 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires, which make it look wider without spacers. It also enjoys uprated suspension and brakes.

The interior also benefitted from a series of improvements and is now boasting Recaro bucket seats, folding seats in the back, a Puma-style Defender dashboard, air conditioning, electric windows, a more powerful sound system, and more.

The 1988 Land Rover 90 has received a new coat of Velocity Blue paint, with gloss black accents on the roof, the grille, wing vents, and side protection runners.

Seeing the upgrades this pickup truck has received, it’s no wonder it piqued Jenson Button’s attention, who is said to have owned the vehicle for around three years, though we don’t know the exact period.

This highly-modified Defender is up for auction on Collecting Cars and is offered with 4,085 miles (6,574 km) on the clock, which seems to be the mileage registered since the engine swap.

Article Credits: Ancuta Iosub
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/highly-modified-land-rover-defender-90-owned-by-jenson-button-is-up-for-auction-206607.html



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Range Rover Fights Land Rover Defender, Are Six Off-Road Challenges Enough?

Carwow’s Mat Watson and his colleague Nick have an L460 Range Rover and L663 Defender at their disposal, so what else could they do than contest each other over the harshest terrain they can find?

Mat and the carwow team are well known for their entertaining videos that not only handle the latest automotive apparitions but also race them in head-to-head drags, track battles, and impromptu off-road competitions. The newest YT feature is of the latter variety, and they are again using the safe environment of that dusty proving grounds to try and find out who is better – Mat or Nick.

Actually, they are there to put the latest and (arguably) greatest L460 fifth-generation Range Rover flagship through its paces against the reinvented L663 land Rover Defender. There are six off-road challenges, but first, let us talk a little bit about the specifications. So, Mat is rooting for and driving the posh Range Rover equipped with BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.

The mill is good for 523 horsepower (530 ps) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of twisting torque, but the comfy SUV is also a heavy and expensive beast. As it turns out, it is not as burdensome as the Defender packing the JLR-born 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which is also a tad less powerful (525 ps/518 hp and 625 Nm/461 lb-ft), but then also ‘cheaper.’

By the way, I am not going to spoil the fun of watching all the six off-road challenges (which include about everything, from up and downhill ‘drags’ to maneuverability trials) but I am going to say that – just like Mat and Nick, one needs to choose sides and select a favorite, in the end. Also, never mind the surprise brought by the tallied results, we can all agree that the Land Rover expert judge might have been a little (more than) biased…

Article Credits: Aurel Niculescu
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/range-rover-fights-land-rover-defender-are-six-off-road-challenges-enough-205894.html#





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The Arctic Trucks AT35 Is A Land Rover Defender With Even More Off-Road Capability

Arctic Trucks decided the Land Rover Defender wasn’t good enough off-road, so they gave us possibly the most capable new Defender on Earth

Several legendary nameplates have put off-road capability at the forefront of their purpose, models like the Jeep Wrangler or Mercedes G-Class. Of course, Land Rover is also one of the most well-known brands for featuring impressive off-road capability with equally notable doses of luxury and comfort. However, in the automotive world, “impressive” is rarely enough for everyone. So, Arctic Trucks, the company known for fitting massive tires, flared fenders, and generally cranking the off-road potential of already quite capable vehicles up to 11, has gotten its hands on the new Land Rover Defender and made it even more of a wilderness conquerer.

The Land Rover Defender Was Already Insane Off-Road, Then Came The AT35 Pack

The most notable modification is the set of massive tires. Gone are the comfortable all-seasons and in their place are 35-inch (315/60/R20) tires wrapped around 20-inch forged wheels. The tires look like they could get the Defender over anything in their way with the incredibly chunky tread and massive side walls. The latter was certainly a good idea as the last thing you would need on the trail is to ding or to bend one of the wheels that look like they could be from an ultra-high-end aftermarket brand and cost thousands each.

A lift kit has been fitted as well, but instead of altering the suspension itself, Arctic Trucks fitted spacers to the front and rear so the stock adaptive suspension systems could remain. Since the Defender AT35 will more than likely spend much of its time outside and exposed to the elements, the seams have been treated with an anti-corrosion coating. Since fatter tires would stick out from the body and look cheap, Arctic Trucks’ trademark fender flares have been installed, but this time they are much boxier and more geometric than we are used to. Normally, the wider fenders are curvaceous, but since the defender is about as boxy as a car can get, the black-painted angular flares are much more fitting. Other visual changes consist of Arctic Truck’s signature graphics, black mudguards, an electric towbar, and a winch.

The Arctic Trucks Land Rover Defender Has Impressive Performance Specs

The Defender’s standard ground clearance with the more conventional spring suspension setup is about nine inches (228 millimeters), and with the AT35 package, that figure is boosted to 10.6 inches (270 millimeters). However, if the air suspension system happens to be equipped, the ground clearance goes from 11.4 inches (290 millimeters) to 14.1 inches (360 millimeters) with the suspension in the highest setting. The entry and departure angles are all several degrees higher to allow you to drive over even wider gullies, however, the turning radius has suffered. The stock car has a 21.3-foot (6.5-meter) turning radius, and the AT35 takes up 24.6 feet (7.5 meters).

Unfortunately, none of the modifications reach as far as the engine, and the only version of the defender that the AT35 package is available for is the P400 model with a 3.0-liter straight-six hybrid capable of 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Possibly because the massive tires would be too hard on the P300 model’s 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder, and the 518 horsepower-capable 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 would be too thirsty and unruly. While Arctic Trucks did not specify how much the alterations to the Defender cost (so presumably a shocking price tag is attached) it is for sale from the Russian division of Arctic Trucks.

Article Credits: Josh Conturo
Full Articles: https://www.topspeed.com/the-arctic-trucks-at35-is-a-land-rover-defender-with-even-more-off-road-capability/



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Project Freedom Is a Custom 1985 Land Rover Defender 90 With LT4 Power Under the Hood

If your overlanding trips could use a pinch of good old patriotism, a Florida-based tuner named E.C.D. might be able to help.

Brothers Tom and Elliot Humble grew up in the central English region of the Midlands, just 40 miles away from the Solihull plant where Land Rover’s rugged Defenders were being assembled. Of course, life around the British countryside often meant coming face to face with such machines, so it was only a matter of time before the lads went on to develop a strong affinity for the Defender nameplate.

Tom would eventually get married and move to the United States with his wife Emily, followed by Sir Elliot a bit later on. Come 2013, they joined forces and co-founded E.C.D. Automotive Design in the bustling city of Kissimmee, Florida. Just in case you’re wondering, that acronym stands for East Coast Defender, which leaves no room for any doubt concerning these folks’ specialty.

Not only does E.C.D. take care of importing classic Defenders to the land of the free, but they also tailor each vehicle to the respective client’s individual preference. At first, many aspects of the customization process had to be outsourced, and the crew worked 18-hour days in order to meet their deadlines without cutting any corners.

Slowly but surely, the firm grew in numbers as the years went by, welcoming dozens of new employees and someone whose financial support would finally help them take off. That person goes by the name of Scott Wallace, and his arrival on the scene gave E.C.D. the funding they needed to begin handling everything in-house. Now then, let’s fast-forward to the present day, shall we?

The company is headquartered in a massive 30,000-square-foot (2,800 sqm) facility, where more than 50 bright minds make a living doing what they love. For us to truly grasp the level at which these guys and girls operate, we’ll go right ahead and inspect one of their more recent undertakings.

Enter the aptly-nicknamed Project Freedom – a brutish off-roading juggernaut that had once been an ordinary 1985 Defender 90. Starting with what occupies the engine bay, we find a 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 sourced from General Motors. This fearsome V8 can put down a whopping 650 ponies when solicited, and power travels to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Speaking of footwear, those satin-black, alloy 18-inchers were supplied by the specialists over at Project Kahn, while a set of all-terrain BF Goodrich tires provide ample grip on and off the asphalt. Braking is achieved through premium Brembo hardware at both axles, with E.C.D’s proprietary suspension upgrades making for a smooth ride.

As regards the bodywork-related mods adorning Project Freedom, the squad installed a beefy widebody kit with riveted panels and a four-point roll cage to ensure future occupants’ safety. A custom-made soft top keeps the elements at bay, but the goodies that’ll really catch your attention can be seen up front.

There you’ll notice an imposing bull bar and a bespoke steering guard manufactured from scratch, as well as a Warn winch to help this Defender get out of any sticky situations it may encounter. At the rear end, things are concluded with dual exhaust tips, a spare Kahn hoop, and (interestingly enough) two flag mounts. The latter may not be ideal for departure angle, but it is a pretty cool touch nonetheless – because ‘Murica!

Last but not least, we arrive at the car’s interior, where E.C.D. fitted heated and ventilated Corbeau front seats, a high-grade Prototipo steering wheel from Momo, and a new dash cloaked in leather. Aftermarket gauges inhabit the instrument cluster, accompanied by a premium infotainment system with Apple CarPlay compatibility in the center.

A quartet of foldable, inward-facing seats can be found out back, though plentiful legroom doesn’t appear to have been a priority here. Although we’re not sure how much the customer was charged for Project Freedom, what we can tell you is that builds from this tuner are typically priced at around $200k. Well, E.C.D. refers to this menacing Defender as a sleeper, but we reckon it’s just about as subtle as a frigging tank.

Article Credits: Silvian Secara
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/project-freedom-is-a-custom-1985-land-rover-defender-90-with-lt4-power-under-the-hood-206103.html#

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The Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition Is Back, Only 250 Units Will Be Made

Land Rover North America is reviving the Defender Trophy Edition as a 2022 model year that’s based on the 2023 Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE. The special edition two-door SUV comes with a lot of upgrades and a bold exterior look. All 250 units will be sold in the U.S. and Canada. Here’s what you need to know.

Land Rover has a rich history. Since its inception in 1948, the sense of adventure has been embedded into the company’s branding. Its models have been part of many wild stories like the Overland, and now the automaker is making sure to bring back some of those amazing traits that best suit its vehicles in the form of the “Trophy Edition.”

The special edition “adventure-ready” SUV features a yellow exterior wrap, a unique badge, many blacked-out bits, a tow hitch receiver, air suspension, the Cold Climate pack, the Off-road pack, and the Advanced Off-road Capability Pack. The manufacturer also added roof racks, a roof ladder, front and rear mudflaps, an integrated air compressor, and rubber mats.

Customers who will buy one of the 250 available units will also have the opportunity to sign up for an adventure competition held in October at the company’s Experience Center in Vermont at no extra cost. Former participants can join in as well, but they’ll have to pay $5,000 per team.

Most of the modified 2023 Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE will be available in the U.S. Canada gets only 30 units.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition has an MSRP of $95,000 without the destination and delivery charge. The starting MSRP for the Land Rover Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE, on which the special edition is based, is $65,100. Both SUVs hide a mild hybrid six-cylinder engine under the hood. It puts out 395 HP (400 PS) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque.

If you’re interested in joining the exclusive adventure competition, then you must hurry up to order and make your intentions known. There are only 90 spots available, and the selection process is based on the “first come, first served” principle. The deadline is set for September 27. The winning team will be invited to attend the Classic Land Rover Trophy Competition in the UK.

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Article Credit:Florin Amariei
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/the-land-rover-defender-trophy-edition-is-back-only-250-units-will-be-made-196067.html