Defender

Make
Land Rover
Segment
SUV

Movie car chases tend to be denounced as major BS by most car enthusiasts. How can a 500-horsepower supercar not be able to run away from a nondescript VW police vehicle? Or how is it even reasonably possible that those Land Rover Defenders can take so much abuse in the James Bond film series without at least one 'check engine' light popping up on the dashboard? The truth is that most of these car chases are pure fiction from start to finish, but the people driving the cars aren't. Mark Higgins, a professional stunt driver for James Bond and his spy universe, has just proven that fact in his James Bond-themed Bowler Defender.

Mark Higgins and co-driver Claire Williams won the North Wales leg of the 2022 Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau in their custom Bowler Defender, which celebrates 60 years of James Bond films. The rally-prepped vehicle features a full roll cage, upgraded engine and transmission, a sports exhaust, strengthened 18-inch Bowler wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich AT tires, and a bespoke suspension design featuring Fox dampers. This cool-looking black and gold Defender also features a stripped racing interior with a full roll cage and racing bucket seats with six-point harnesses, not to mention polycarbonate rear windows. All Bowler Defender race vehicles are based around the 300-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged Defender engine.

The pair took the win with an excellent time of 55 minutes and 12 seconds (one minute and 41 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals). Higgins, who has featured in the last four James Bond films, is no stranger to competitive racing. In fact, he's damn good and holds three British rally championship titles and an Isle of Man TT lap record. If that doesn't tell you how fearless a driver he is, nothing will. The next stage of the 2022 Defender Bowler Challenge will take place at the Welsh Hill Rally from 27-29 May. We hope to see Higgins do Mr. Bond proud in this badass rally SUV at the next event.