Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy honours expedition legacy

The Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy pays fitting homage to the expedition legacy that pushed people and machines to their limits for more than two decades: the Camel Trophy and its successor, the G4 Challenge, held from 1980 to 1998, as well as in 2003 and 2006.

Staged across the globe, these expeditions gained a formidable reputation for the punishment they inflicted on both the human competitors and the vehicles themselves.

Other than the first Camel Trophy edition, every event was supported by Land Rover. Almost every model in the marque’s line-up took part, from the Series III and Defender 90 and 110 to the Discovery and Range Rover; even the compact Freelander featured in the challenge.

Land Rover Trophy

Land Rover is organising the Land Rover Trophy, a new competitive event inspired by those historic challenges, to take place this year at Eastnor Castle in the United Kingdom.

Participants will receive one-to-one tuition from specialists, helping them to develop extreme-driving skills and techniques in their own vehicles before putting them into practice across the various challenges.

The competitive element involves earning a range of awards that count towards an overall leaderboard. The overall winner will receive a grand prize, due to be announced in the coming months. Such an extreme event requires a vehicle capable of matching it.

Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy

Derived from the Land Rover Defender Works V8 (2012-2016), the conversions carried out by Land Rover Classic turn these models into Trophy vehicles by “arming them to the teeth” for every obstacle the event can present, just like the Defenders used in the expeditions of old.

The added equipment includes a front winch, external roll bar, roof rack, underbody protection, front protection bar, raised air intake, supplementary LED lights and dedicated mud tyres measuring 235/85 R16.

V8 power and off-road equipment

There is no shortage of power. The Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy uses a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 producing 405 hp and 515 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Naturally, it features four-wheel drive, along with a two-speed transfer case, strengthened front and rear differentials, and a locking centre differential.

The suspension combines solid axles front and rear with coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bars. At the front, there is also a Panhard rod and radius arms, while the rear uses an A-frame suspension link and trailing arm.

Eastnor Yellow finish and Windsor leather cabin

Its nostalgic character comes from the Eastnor Yellow bodywork, a shade similar to that used on the Camel Trophy, for example, and also applied to the strengthened 16-inch steel wheels. In contrast, the wheel arches, bonnet and tailgate are finished in Narvik Black. The exterior package is completed by LED headlamps, a Heritage front grille, the exclusive Land Rover Trophy logo and each owner’s event participation details.

Inside, Windsor leather takes centre stage, complemented by contrasting yellow stitching and Recaro sports seats. Also noteworthy is the watch designed specifically by Elliot Brown for the Land Rover Trophy. A modern touch is provided by the Land Rover Classic infotainment system, which includes integrated navigation and mobile-device connectivity.

Only 25 Defender Works V8 Trophy units will be built, with both 90 and 110 models eligible. Orders must be placed directly with Land Rover Classic, with UK prices starting at £195,000 (approximately €222,600) for the 90 version.

The purchase price includes entry to the Land Rover Trophy.