Land Rover Defender Rally Special Celebrates 60 Years Of James Bond

Land Rover has had a long history of its cars being featured in James Bond films dating back to the 007 film 'Octopussy' from 1983. Land Rovers have featured in no less than 11 James Bond movies with the latest outing being 'No Time To Die' from 2021. Now with 007 celebrating his 60th anniversary – the first film released in 1962 – Land Rover has revealed specially liveried Defender 90 Rally Special and is taking the SUV rallying with James Bond stunt driver Mark Higgins behind the wheel. Higgins aside from being the stunt driver for the movie series is also a three-time Rally Champion.

Set to compete in one leg of the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge in the UK, the one-off rally-spec Defender features the iconic 007 logo and the number 60 on the doors and roof finished in gold. Additionally, the bonnet and tailgate feature the names of all the James Bond movies.

“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. 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," said Mark Higgins, James Bond Stunt Driver and Rally Champion.

While the Defender is available with a range of engines going from four- to eight-cylinders, this rally-spec Defender uses the P300 powertrain meaning a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which in the road going Defender develops 296bhp and 400Nm of torque.

The Defender Rally Special also gets a host of modifications from Bowler including a bespoke suspension design replete with modified subframes and new springs, a full roll cage, a sports exhaust and Bowler wheels wrapped in all terrain tyres to name a few.

The Bowler Challenge is a 12 team one make rally series held in the UK with each team using identical rally-prepped Defenders. The series is open to both experienced and newbies with Bowler providing training and support for fresh drivers to attain the necessary license to participate. The series acts as a feeder series for global rally competitions including the likes of the iconic Dakar rally.