Land Rover's Bowler division has unveiled an extreme modification of the first Defender.
Off-road racing specialist Bowler, acquired by Jaguar Land Rover in 2019, is offering a new upgrade package for the first Land Rover Defender.
Bowler offers individual upgrades for Land Rover SUVs, but also select upgrades bundled into packages the company calls conversions Bowler's first conversion, known as the Fast Road Street Performance Package, and now the company has introduced an Off-Road Performance Package, dubbed Extreme.
The Extreme package, announced late Wednesday, is designed to fit 90, 110, or 130 Defender models and includes 16-inch beadlock wheels, 35-inch BFGoodrich tires, flared wheel arches, a 2.0-inch lift Adding to the assortment of off-road gear, which includes a custom suspension that offers 2.0 inches of lift, Bowler also adds side rails, a custom lightweight front bumper, and a roof rack with additional lighting.
The first-generation Defender's inline four-cylinder turbo diesel engine also gets a power boost, producing 175 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Brakes were also improved, with the addition of an Alcon brake package with four-piston calipers with 13.15-inch rotors at the front and 11.7-inch rotors at the rear.
The interior has also been redesigned. The list of upgrades includes a leather-covered Momo steering wheel, Recaro seats (front), a custom gearshift, navigation, and a new audio system. Seat trim is available in either fabric or leather.
Customers can provide their own Defender or have a bowler source one. The conversion process takes place at the bowler's facility in Belper, England, and inventory is limited.
Bowler states that prices vary depending on the level of work and the age and condition of the donor vehicle.
For buyers with deep pockets, Bowler can build an original Defender from scratch using a custom-built platform designed by Bowler himself. The platform can support Jaguar Land Rover's familiar supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine, which Bowler will mount in a 567-horsepower configuration.
