Let's be honest: the Land Rover Defender was left almost untouched for way too long. The only people who continued to buy it were those who would otherwise never consider a new car, but the total redesign, late as it was, really paid off. The Defender is the brand's second-best-selling model globally, behind only the Evoque. Land Rover is already said to be working on the next generation, but as is the custom in the industry these days, special editions must squeeze every last bit of profit out of the current model first. Fortunately, with Land Rover, the special editions really are just that, especially in the case of the latest, called the Defender Trophy Edition.
Just 220 of these "adventure-ready" vehicles will be produced this year as a tribute to the Defender's longstanding expedition legacy. Just Google the name 'Sir Ranulph Fiennes' and you'll come up with countless stories of the Defender trekking to some of the most inhospitable corners of the globe. But back to the Defender Trophy.
Based on the 2022 model year Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE (sheesh, what a name!), the special edition features a wrap inspired by the Defender Works V8 Trophy, along with the "Extended Black Exterior" pack, a tow hitch receiver, air suspension, a cold-weather package, an off-road package, and an advanced off-road capability pack.
You also get an expedition roof rack, front skid plate, deployable ladder, winch installation kit, mud flaps, air compressor, and load area rubber mats.
Buying one of these special models also allows you the opportunity to enter a one-day off-road adventure in the Trophy Competition that will be comprised of 90 teams and will take place at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, starting on October 11, 2021. The overall winning teams will then go on to compete at an extreme adventure competition at Eastnor Castle in the UK (the "spiritual home of Land Rover testing and development") in early 2022.
We like that this special edition encourages buyers to get out and use their vehicles as intended, and if you do too, "certain Land Rover dealers in the US" will offer the vehicle in August at a cost of $90,000.