Land Rover Defender Special Editions by Twisted Performance

UK-based Land Rover specialist Twisted Performance claims to offer the perfect remedies for the increasingly apparent ailments of the elderly Discovery – so Classic Driver takes a look at its trio of special edition models to find out whether it’s worth waiting for Land Rover’s 2015 replacement or not.

Land Rover Defender Special Edition

The enduring Defender is over sixty years old now, which begs the question: why now? Well, Twisted Performance has in fact been producing Defender upgrades for many years, but the company is now held in such high esteem in Land Rover enthusiast circles that it has sufficient demand to gather together numerous modifications into its own special edition vehicle packages. Currently, there are a trio of special editions: Alpine, French and Retro, all of which can be specified in Classic or Sport guise. And what’s more, both 90 and 110 models can be supplied as brand-new vehicles, or transformed by undergoing retro-fitted conversions.

Classic and Sport Specifications

While all three editions have their own individual differences between the Sport and Classic specifications, some enhancements are common across the trio. These include a suspension upgrade for the Sport models (the Classics are given gas B6 dampers), which are also bestowed with AP Racing brakes. All special editions get a front and rear white light kit and a halogen crystal headlight upgrade, as well as a P10+ Performance Kit (adding between 30 and 90HP depending on the donor vehicle), interior leather retrim, and privacy glass from the B-pillar aft. Sport versions are also furnished with leather Recaro sports seats.

The Retro Edition – from £42,510




Those with a love of classic cars will quickly warm to the Retro Edition: designed in homage to Land Rover’s heritage, it’s intended to show how far the Defender has come in its 64-year lifetime. Among the highlights are Sand colour body paint, and a Gloss White powder coat for the roof, mirrors, steering guard, headlamp surrounds, side vents, and five-spoke 18-inch rims. The Sport version specifies Toyo road tyres in place of BFG off-road rubber, as well as Alcantara trappings inside to supplement the Classic’s leather retrim. Both versions also have a polished wood steering wheel.

The French Edition – from £38,902.80

The French Edition is designed for life in the city, providing a stylish alternative to the ten-a-penny crossovers that claim to offer individuality, but do the exact opposite in practice. A Gloss Black coating for the grille, mirrors, bumpers, steering guard, chequer plates and alloys give the off-roader a mean and purposeful look, while the daytime running lights embedded into the bumper are included in both Classic and Sport specifications. Inside, a Black Nappa leather interior offers the sort of luxury usually only associated with a modern Range Rover, and a Momo steering wheel completes the overhaul.

The Alpine Edition – from £40,855.20

Billed as a stylish family cruiser with the ability to go anywhere, the Alpine uses a Gloss White theme for its trimmings (including the alloy roof rack and ladder only included in this edition); however the 20-inch wheels and DRL-housing bumper are painted in Gloss Black, presumably to prevent you losing your car in a blizzard. Again, Black Nappa leather and a Momo steering wheel are present inside. Is it time to trade in the Range Sport for something a little more select?

The Verdict

While we haven’t yet tried out the special editions for ourselves (expect that in the not-too-distant future), we’re already suitably impressed by the triumvirate's lengthy list of modernisations. The company’s experience in Land Rovers is evident, proven not only by the quality of the vehicles shown here, but by the fact that in 2009, the Twisted team held off various other respected Land Rover tuners to take the title of ‘World’s Fastest Land Rover’ – despite a self-imposed constraint of only using parts developed in-house.

But a replacement is on the horizon (due in 2015), so is it too little, too late, for the senior Defender? In a word, no. Classic Land Rovers are as popular as ever, and despite a new headquarters, Twisted Performance is struggling to keep up with demand for its services. The new model may be looming, but perhaps this will only increase Twisted’s workload; after all, with 75% of the Defenders ever made still in use, perhaps the arrival of the successor will only spur on existing owners to give their ageing workhorses a new lease of life? Especially when it means you can have modern Range Rover comfort and performance in a shape as iconic as the Defender.

Source: Classic Driver

Land Rover Defender Blaser Edition revealed in Germany

2012 Land Rover Defender Blaser Edition

The British based manufacturer Land Rover has recently presented to the public the Defender Blaser Edition in Germany.

After teaming up with Blaser, Land Rover Germany has revealed a special edition of the Defender, named the Blaser Edition, which will be limited to just 60 units. According to the automaker, the Land Rover Defender Blaser Edition is based on the Defender 110 SE double cab and the model is painted in Keswick Green, coming with a trailer hitch, electric winch, expedition roof rack, grille guard, snorkel air intake, rear spot light, custom fitted gun case as a main attraction, Blaser logos on the front doors and spare tire cover, black leather seats with green stitching and the Argali logo embroidered in the headrests.

Under the hood, the Land Rover Defender Blaser Edition is taking its power from the company’s latest Euro 5 compliant, the 2.2 liter turbo diesel (with particulate filter) engine, which is developing a total output of 122 horsepower and it has a peak torque of 360 Nm (266 lb-ft). Land Rover says that the Defender Blaser Edition will debut at the largest European trade fair for hunting and fishing in Dortmund, “Jagd & Hund” (Hunter & Dog) on the 31st of January. Prices for the Land Rover Defender Blaser Edition will start at 49,500 euros.

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Source: INAUTONEWS

Review: 2012 Land Rover Defender

2012 Land Rover Defender - Front View

Ladies and gentlemen, last orders! After more than half a century as the world’s chosen workhorse, the Land Rover Defender has finally reached its twilight years. It might have followed today’s common downsizing principles, but does that make it the best Defender ever?

Here’s a question: what do the Defender and the Porsche 911 have in common? Well, for starters, both have been in production for several decades, and both have a distinctive image recognised around the world. Not to mention the fact that Porsche has also had four-wheel drive for many years now. But the crux of this exercise lies in how many of the cars built are still in service, despite their advancing years: around 75 per cent of all the Defenders ever built are still in action, and the 911 can boast something similar. Both vehicles can also claim an extremely high residual value.

The word ‘icon’ is bandied about a little too often these days, but in the Defender we have a true embodiment of the word, even without taking the aforementioned facts into account. And up in the Scottish Borders near the city of Edinburgh, the Defender’s capabilities speak for themselves. Guiding it through a river bed and then parking it on a 40-degree slope – a feat which would swiftly illustrate the shortcomings of modern pretenders – is merely a warm-up for the no-nonsense Landie.

2012 Land Rover Defender - Rear View

But, while there are few physical objects that will bring the Defender to a standstill, 2015 will see the warhorse paralysed by government legislation – after nearly 7 decades of service. While the new diesel engine allows the staple Land Rover to limbo-dance under the 2015 emissions threshold, its inability to conform to forthcoming pedestrian impact laws means that its reign will finally come to end. Although Land Rover is reportedly hoping for a temporary exemption to the law, work on its replacement has begun, previewed by the DC100 concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In the meantime, though, the company has given the existing model a comprehensive overhaul.


The EU5- and EU6-compliant diesel engine’s capacity has been reduced by 200cc, yet the 2.2-litre unit still provides the same 120bhp and 266lb ft as the EU4 engine – and also ups the top speed from 82mph to 90mph, so be prepared to buckle up. The emissions reductions are down to a new diesel particulate filter, and a new engine cover makes a noticeable difference inside the cabin: it is part of a noise insulation upgrade which almost mutes the diesel engine, eliminating the characteristic valve-patter of the previous generations’ powerplants. In fact, it’s almost too quiet; the under-bonnet humming of a warmed-up Defender engine used to seem like a signal that the rugged off-roader was ready to help you conquer the world.

And so we float our way across the rain-soaked estate belonging to the Duke of Roxburghe, an environment where the Defender is in its element. With the proper speed and torque applied, it really can traverse any terrain which the headlights bathe in their glow: mud, rivers, and seemingly impossible inclines are all dealt with by the Defender’s bravado – and occasionally, the optional winch. The Landie will stand up to this punishment in the long run as well, for the frame has been treated with a new multi-stage coating for increased corrosion protection.

On the road, the car’s refined side is displayed. The six-speed gearbox requires a much less ‘manly’ action to perform a cog-swap, and you can cruise at 70mph while talking about the best Scotch whisky as if you were in front of a log fire in Edinburgh Castle. A revised dashboard houses better heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and seats have been improved – from where the main exterior change is also visible: a revised bonnet.

So, the upgraded Defender ultimately builds on its obvious strengths while addressing some of its decades-old weaknesses. Its durability is clearly still apparent, with our test drive only pausing for a puncture. And given the likelihood that this actual vehicle will still be on the roads in 70 years’ time, the much-improved swansong is looking like a more attractive offer than ever, with prices starting at just over £20,000. Long live the king of off-roading.

Source: Classic Driver

2012 Land Rover Defender gets new 2.2L EU5 Diesel Engine

There may be talk of a new Defender on its way with rumors of a concept model making its appearance as early as next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but for now, Land Rover is updating the current version with a new turbo diesel engine and the introduction of two new option packages for the 2012 model year. 
 
The most important change of course is the new, EU5 compliant, 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that replaces the EU4 2.4-litre oil-burner found in the 2011MY Defender.

Despite the smaller capacity, the new four-cylinder diesel delivers the same power and torque as the outgoing unit with 122PS at 3,500rpm and torque, 360Nm (265.5 lb-ft) at 2,000rpm.
 
The new engine also comes with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), while it's more frugal and delivers lower levels of the regulated emissions, NOx, CO and HC than its predecessor. 
 
Land Rover says CO2 emissions on the combined cycle are consistent at 266g/km for the 90 and 295g/km for the 110 and 130 models. 
 
Performance remains similar, however, top speed has been raised to 90mph (145 km/h) compared to 82mph (132 km/h) for the previous version. 
 
Power is transferred to all four wheels through a GFT MT 82 six-speed gearbox.
Also new for the 2012 model year Defender is the addition of two new optional packages:

• Comfort Pack - Air conditioning, CD Player with auxiliary input, electric windows and remote central locking, priced at £1650.
• Off-Road Pack - ABS, heavy duty rim and MTR tyre, tow ball and under-ride protection bar, priced at £1500.

Other changes include the plain black Pick Up hood that will now be available as an option whilst a plain beige hood is introduced for the 110 Double Cab Pick Up, plus the addition of tinted glass on all models.

UK sales of the 2012 Defender begin in November with prices starting from £20,995 on the road.