Land Rover Defender 90 gets special James Bond Livery as franchise turns 60

Hurrah, it’s celebration time for James Bond fans! The James Bond franchise has turned 60 this year as the 007’s first movie, Dr. No, was released on October 5, 1962. Being the franchise’s official partner, Land Rover is celebrating the occasion by giving the Defender 90 a special Bond livery. And this is no normal Land Rover Defender, this is the rally-ready Bowler Defender.

The livery has got black and gold Bond stickers and a huge 007 60th anniversary logo on the roof and gates. A very special feature of the livery is present on the hood and tailgate where the clever livery designers at Land Rover have added names  of the 25 Bond Films.

Being the Bowler-fettled example of the Defender, this has a full roll cage, enhanced cooling for the engine and transmission, a sports exhaust, a new rear roof spoiler and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. For increased stiffness the Bowler Defender’s suspension design has a modified subframe and new springs.

Under the rather good looking hood rests the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and not the V8 from the top-spec Defender. Boo.

This special rally-ready Defender won the North Wales leg of the 2022 Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau with Bond stunt driver and rally champion Mark Higgins and co-driver Claire Williams behind the wheel. It was a dominant performance from the car and drivers as they finished one minute and 41 seconds ahead of their nearest rival. 

With that done, we wish Land Rover takes this Defender to Dakar rally because who wouldn’t like this lovely 007 livery jumping and making its way through the sand dunes and tough terrain of the Dakar rally.