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.
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.
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.
Both 90 and 110 specifications can be selected with Wide Body design package, priced from £109,999
The Land Rover Defender has been given a new styling package by the Chelsea Truck Company, with changes inspired by its founder, Afzal Kahn.
The customisation, called the Chelsea Truck Company Defender Wide Body, is available on both the three-door 90 and five-door 110 models, with prices starting from £109,999.
Each model features carbo nfibre front and rear wings, a vented grille mask, mud flaps, a three-piece front bumper spoiler, black side steps, polished lettering and black headlight surrounds.
The pack also includes a Chelsea Truck Company wheel cover and four stainless-steel performance exhaust pipes.
The firm claims the additional design features “compliment the classic streamlined design of the original vehicle”.
The larger Defender 110 features Volcanic Rock Satin exterior paint and Burnt Orange quilted seats, while the 90 sports a Satin Black exterior paint and a red leather interior.
Other parts of the interior on both models are also upholstered with quilted leather, such as the door armrest and central storage box.
Each Defender Wide Body sits on a set 23in Type 57 RS-forged Kahn wheels.
Drivers can choose either a petrol or diesel engine and specify optional factory extras, including rear tinted privacy glass, a 360deg camera, a panoramic sunroof, climate control and heated seats.
The 110 starts at £109,999, while the 90 is priced from £114,999. Kahn says the retail value of the 110 is around £50,000 higher than the original list price, with the 90 coming in at £35,000 higher.
Kahn, who founded his eponymous car design and accessory firm in 1998, created the Chelsea Truck Company in 2013.
When the new Land Rover Defender launched in 2020, the main complaint most people had was that it had lost the ruggedness and simplicity of the original. To put it in other words, it had become too posh.
But then again, “posh” seems like a perfectly normal adjective for something coming from the United Kingdom, doesn’t it? Don’t they all drink tea all day and say “dear me” over there anyway? If someone was to make a posh SUV, certainly it would have to be a British brand.
Well, the thing with the new Defender is that it’s only truly luxurious when you compare it to the older model. Next to any other premium machine on the market, the best way you could describe its interior is smart-functional (you can blame the fashion industry for this type of fancy compound words if you don’t like them).
Ironically enough, the SUV built in Slovakia (where Jaguar Land Rover owns a plant) had to travel all the way to Los Angeles to get what could very well be the poshest makeover so far. The transformation came courtesy of Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) and Undefeated, two brands local in the City of Angels that had never worked together until this project.
Their work has already been on display at last year’s L.A. Auto Show, so if this feels familiar, stick around for some more details as well as the high-quality photos – about as high as the effort put into making these two vehicles. If you go through the list of modifications – which we’ll do in a second – you’ll see it’s not about quantity, but rather the attention to detail and the careful choosing of the right design, accessory, or material.
So, we’re looking at two 2021 Defenders, one of the 90 variety, with its shorter wheelbase, and one of the longer 110 (soon to become medium once the 130 gets out) type. Both use the P400 hybrid powertrain which is by far the best option for this model mating a small electric motor to a butter-smooth straight-six twin-turbo engine. This setup mixes massive amounts of power (395 hp and 406 lb-ft / 550 Nm, the latter available from as low as 2,000 rpm) and almost perfectly silent running, something a diesel could never do.
When it comes to starting trim levels, the stubbier SUV gets slightly ahead since it’s a “First Edition” whereas the 110 one is just a SE. Not that any of it matters now after the two American companies – one specializing in car customization and the other in stylish apparel – have had their way with them.
The first thing you’ll notice is the wheels, both vehicles sporting sets of Forgiato Custom “Steelies” with a 19-inch diameter finished in a creamy Ivory paint. They’re not exactly what people refer to when they talk about steel rims, but they sure make the two custom paint jobs stand out. The 90 Defender gets a fresh coat of Galpin Auto Sports’ custom “Jaguar Green” while the 110 one sports its blue equivalent (“Jaguar Blue”). Both SUVs’ roofs were painted to match the wheels.
On the inside, the two vehicles get GAS’ beige Parchment leather upholstery with either “navy houndstooth” or “beach towel” inserts, both of which look equally cool. We’re not so sure about the houndstooth one but the beach towel certainly makes a lot of sense since the 90 Defender has a clear surfing theme (something it definitely had to travel to California for).
The “Jaguar Green” short wheelbase SUV also has an intricate shelving system in the trunk that includes a biometric safe (to leave your important stuff in while you enjoy the waves), as well as a roof rack with surfboard attachment, an awning for shade during those hot summer days, and a road shower to get the sand off your feet before climbing in.
Over on the “Jaguar Blue” side, the 110 Defender has been kitted as a premium overlanding vehicle, sporting a slide-out kitchen with stove and sink, a refrigerator, a rooftop tent, and a roof-mounted 270-degree awning.
Neither of these two custom builds is particularly practical, but they do serve their purpose of drawing attention toward the pair of companies involved in the conversion, if not toward the third one that actually built the SUVs they’re based on as well. It’s something to whet your appetite and get you in the mood for customizing your car. Or buying a Defender. Or going surfing. Or cooking in nature. It depends, I guess.
