Defender 90 Rally Car
“The Defender Rally Series showcases our highly capable all-terrain vehicles in the toughest environments. In true heroic spirit competitors take a new Defender 90 and, with only the lightest of specialist rally preparation, embark on a series of punishing challenges to test the durability of vehicle and crew. The Defender Rally Series is inspired by the adventure in the DNA of the brand and we are proud to be pioneers in this gruelling but exhilarating off-road championship”
Mark Cameron, Defender and Discovery Managing Director
The rally-ready Defenders are meticulously crafted to meet the demands of the competition. Based on the Defender 90 production model, these vehicles feature added safety features such as race-specification seats, FIA-approved roll cages, and fire extinguishers.
Powered by the formidable 300PS Ingenium petrol engine and equipped with a responsive eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and advanced All-Wheel Drive system, these Defenders deliver uncompromising performance on and off the track.
Defender Rally Series vehicle specification
Structural body and chassis
- Monocoque bracing – minimises body movement and supports underbody protection
- Full FIA internal roll cage integrated with body
- Internal spare wheel mount
- Rally-spec gearbox cross member
- Stiffened gearbox mounts
- Strengthened engine mounts
- Braced front and rear subframes
- Front suspension turret brace
- Rear turret brace
- Strengthened radiator mounts
- Adapted chassis and subframe mounts
Performance
- Enhanced cooling to meet needs of competition use
- Increased transmission cooling capacity
- Bowler Sports exhaust
- Bowler 18-inch motorsport wheels, strengthened
- All-terrain BF Goodrich tyres
- Bespoke suspension design with new springs and bespoke Fox dampers
- Front upper wishbone revised to reflect new ride height geometry
- Race steering wheel
- High-level air intake
Electrical/systems
- ECU system integration with race box
- ABS/DSC – rally control modifications
- Integrated wiring harness for new components
- New rally-spec facia
- Navigator control unit for lights/washer/horn
- Special Bowler mode
Regulatory
- High-level rear marker lights (for Hill Rally Regulations)
- Polycarbonate door and rear windows
- Alpine Light replaced by aluminium panel
- Race sports seats with specific race seat mounts
- Five-point race harness
- Integrated and hand-held fire suppression
- Electrical cut-off switches – internal and external
- Complete removal of all airbag systems
Design
- Front bumper adapted to take new underbody protection
- Bowler front grille with increased air flow
- Rear roof spoiler with extended profile and integrated additional lighting
- Front and rear wing claddings to meet new underbody protection
- Wheelarch extensions utilising accessory fitment
- Door lowers – new claddings on shortened doors to enable underbody and sill protection
Function
- Additional bonnet-mounted windscreen washers – to deal with rally levels of water splash
- Front driving lights for increased night driving illumination
- Rally-spec mudflaps
- Full underbody protection system – 6mm aluminium reinforced design
- Column-mounted gearshift paddle – unique to Bowler
- Rear door manual release mechanism
- GRP wheelarch liners – increased strength to meet rally requirements
Defender Base Car
The Defender Bowler rally car is based on a Defender 90 P300 SE production car which includes driver convenience features such as InControl Security, Sat Nav, Climate Control and Telematics as part of the donor spec. Hopefully drivers won’t ever need to use reverse cameras but the aircon can be a blessing in hot summer rounds.
Base Specification
- Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
- Power/torque 296bhp/400Nm
- Transmission Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
- 0-60mph 6.7 seconds
- Top speed 119mph (limited when in Bowler Mode)
- Economy 24.6mpg
- CO2 260g/km
- Fuel Capacity 90 litres
- Weight 2,065kg
- Length 4,583mm
- Width 2,105mm
- Height 1,974mm
- Wheelbase 2,587mm
- Turning Circle 11m
