Land Rover launches new model paying homage to 1980s classic 4X4 - and it's not cheap
Land Rover has unveiled a special-edition Defender to pay homage to a classic model that proved the incredible off-road capabilities of the British 4X4s in the 1980s by racing across some of the world's most gruelling terrains.
New 'Trophy Edition' cars get accessories and a retro livery to match the Camel Trophy vehicles from some 40 years ago.
The Camel Trophy was an off-roading competition that originated in 1980 with three Jeep-equipped German teams racing across the Amazon Basin.
After that first event, organisers turned to Land Rover for support and the tobacco company, Camel, for primary sponsorship, hence the name. Races took place across various locations, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Madagascar, Samoa, Siberia, Malaysia and a host of other testing landscapes.
Over the course of 20 years, all types of Land Rover cars were provided for the annual adventure challenge - Range Rover, Land Rover Series III, Land Rover 90, Land Rover 110, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery and Freelander - with all vehicles appearing in the famous cigarette brand's distinctive 'Sandglow' colour scheme.
And this is one of two livery options for the new Defender Trophy Edition, which makes its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month. But it isn't going to be cheap...
The new special edition model is only available as the mid-size, five-door, Defender 110.
It features unique 20-inch alloy wheels and a choice of Camel Trophy-appropriate Deep Sandglow Yellow - or Keswick Green paint.
Both options come with contrasting black bonnet, wheel arches and roof – and a black leather interior. The dashboard panel is painted to match the tone of the car's bodywork.
Customers can also opt for a Trophy Edition accessory pack, which costs £4,995 and bolts on a roof rack, retractable roof ladder to make it easier to access objects stored overhead, an air-intake snorkel to tackle water-logged routes, and classic-style mud flaps.
The pack even includes gloss black side panniers that provide 'extra space for muddy, wet or sandy items' you don't want to store in the boot.
All versions of the new special edition car - which costs from £89,810 - come with black leather interior with accents to match the external bodywork
Land Rover says Trophy Edition - which has dropped the 'Camel' name for obvious advertising reasons - celebrates the 'rich history of adventure challenges', adding that the iconic yellow vehicles of the past are 'synonymous with Defenders used on international Trophy-style events'.
Without the optional accessory pack, prices start from £89,810 - a mark-up on the £62,795 asking price for a standard Defender 110.
Britons will get to see it in the flesh for the first time at Goodwood during the Festival of Speed event taking place between 10 and 13 July.
While it does come with a premium price tag, it's half the cost of the commemorative version produced by Land Rover Classic in 2021.
The heritage arm of the British car firm made 25 examples of the old-school Defender inspired by the Camel Trophy, with liveries and modifications mimicking those of the expedition vehicles.
Despite an eye-watering price tag of £195,000 per car, Land Rover sold out of the Works V8 Trophy line in three days. Consequently, the Classic department commissioned another 25 models to appease its high demand.
And many of the original competition cars used in the event between 1981 and the final year in 2000 are still on the road today.
Some competitors purchased their vehicles, meaning there are examples dotted across continents and, consequently, are highly sought after if proven to have covered genuine Camel Trophy miles.
In March, Iconic Auctioneers sold a 1992 Defender 110 Camel Trophy - which participated in 1993 - for £34,875. This was despite it being in a rather sorry state of disrepair.
Last year, Collecting Cars sold another genuine 1984 Camel Trophy Defender in far better condition for £31,500.
However, experts say these cars are ripe for appreciation, with collectors eager to find ex-competition cars.
In the 20-year history of the event, a UK team won it only once.
In 1989, brothers Bob and Joe Ives took first place after tackling the 1,062-mile route through the Brazilian rainforest from Alta Floresta to Manaus in just three weeks driving a Defender 110.
In recognition of their achievement, the brothers were awarded the Royal Automobile Club Segrave Trophy - an award reserved for outstanding transport achievements that has includes esteemed recipients such as Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Lewis Hamilton MBE and John Blashford-Snell OBE.
The brothers went on to be off-road advisors for BBC's Top Gear and The Grand Tour special features on Amazon Prime.
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