Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy: a tribute to expedition heritage

The Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy is a fitting salute to the heritage of endurance expeditions that, for more than two decades (1980–1998, 2003 and 2006), pushed both people and vehicles to their absolute limits - most notably the Camel Trophy and its successor, the G4 Challenge.

Held across the globe, these adventures became renowned for their sheer severity, punishing the human crews as much as the machinery they relied on.

With the exception of the very first Camel Trophy, every subsequent edition was backed by Land Rover. Over the years, almost the entire range took part: from the Series III to the Defender 90 and 110, as well as the Discovery and Range Rover - and even the compact Freelander answered the call.

Land Rover Trophy

Land Rover is putting on a new competitive event this year, the Land Rover Trophy, drawing inspiration from those famous challenges of the past. It will take place at Eastnor Castle in the United Kingdom.

Training sessions and competitive format

Before tackling the various tests, entrants will take part in one-to-one sessions led by specialists, designed to build extreme off-road driving skills and techniques in their own vehicles.

The competitive element centres on collecting multiple awards that feed into an overall standings table, with the eventual winner taking home a major prize (to be announced in a few months). It is a more hard-edged style of event - and it demands a vehicle that can match it.

Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy

Derived from the Land Rover Defender Works V8 (2012–2016), the Trophy conversions carried out by Land Rover Classic effectively "arm them to the teeth" for overcoming every challenge in the event, in the same spirit as the Defenders that once tackled those earlier expeditions.

Trophy-ready equipment package

The extra kit includes:

• Front winch
• External roll bar
• Roof rack
• Underbody protection
• Front protection bar
• Raised air intake
• Additional LED lights
• Special mud tyres (235/85 R16)

Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy powertrain and drivetrain

Power is not in short supply. 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 automatic transmission (ZF). Four-wheel drive is, naturally, standard, and it comes equipped with a two-speed transfer case, uprated front and rear differentials, and a self-locking centre differential.

Suspension consists of solid axles front and rear, coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bars. Up front there is also a Panhard rod and radius arms, while at the rear it features a suspension triangle and a trailing arm.

The nostalgic feel is delivered by the chosen body colour, Eastnor Yellow (similar to that used on the Camel Trophy, for instance), which also appears on the 16-inch heavy-duty steel wheels. In contrast, the wheelarches, bonnet and tailgate are finished in Narvik Black. Completing the exterior package are LED headlamps, the Heritage front grille, an exclusive Land Rover Trophy logo, and each owner’s participation information for the event.

Inside, Windsor leather takes centre stage, set off by contrasting yellow stitching, and it is fitted with Recaro sports seats. Also worth noting is the watch designed specifically by Elliot Brown for the Land Rover Trophy. A more modern touch comes via Land Rover Classic’s infotainment system, featuring integrated navigation and mobile-device connectivity.

Only 25 units of the Defender Works V8 Trophy will be built (with both 90 and 110 eligible), with orders placed directly through Land Rover Classic and pricing starting at £195,000 (approx. €222,600) in the United Kingdom for the 90.

The purchase price includes entry to the Land Rover Trophy.