Latest news with #CamelTrophy
The Drive
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Land Rover's New Competition Sounds Like ‘Survivor' but With Cars
The latest car news, reviews, and features. The new Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition will come in Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green, which is reason enough to celebrate its existence. But the cooler news that the British brand dropped is the Defender Trophy itself. Rover is getting back into epic adventure contests. From 1980 through the end of the '90s, Land Rover famously ran a long series of epic international endurance challenges known as the Camel Trophy. The basic idea was to show off the brand's wares and reinforce its image as a safari machine for the khaki-shirt set, and usually Land Rover's latest model would be forced through a grueling series of summer-camp-from-hell overland challenges by teams of hearty adventurers from all over the place. If you're interested in going deeper there, we found a great 90-minute video about it and once ran a story on the magnificnce of the event's trophies themselves. Later, as cig-brand sponsorship fell out of fashion, Land Rover did something similar called the G4 Challenge, featuring orange livery on the vehicles instead of yellow. But that one only ran for a few years. I think the economic situation at the end of the '00s effectively killed it. Since the re-introduction of the Defender as we know it today, it's been used in some smaller outdoorsmanship-themed contests like the TReK Competition, but nothing quite on the grandiose scale of the original Camel Trophy events (though the 2020 Defender launch in Namibia was pretty mind-blowing). I guess that little square symbol must be the new Defender Trophy logo. Land Rover The new Defender Trophy, taking place in 2026, looks like a pretty big step up in scale. Competitors from all over the world will have to make it through local events to qualify for the final, some kind of to-be-named challenge in Africa in conjunction with Tusk. Tusk is a wildlife protection non-profit that works to help care for Africa's megafauna (elephants and such) and a long-term Land Rover brand collaborator. As for the Defender Trophy Edition vehicle, it looks like its pretty much just a regular four-door with all the optional camping gear and steel wheels in black, plus your pick of those two great colors. Land Rover has been oddly stingy with pictures of its pretty paint options, but restoration outfit Brooklyn Coachworks here in NY has done a few builds in Sandglow and Keswick Green, as you can see here. Brooklyn Coachworks For those of you who might want to test your mettle chasing the trophy, I'll drop in the key lines from Land Rover's official call to action here: 'Defender Trophy entrants will face obstacles and a selection of mental and physical challenges in a unique test of wit, willpower and teamwork. Epic Adventure, Greater Purpose. Applications for the North American market will be open soon … When applications close, the countdown to next year's global final will begin. Applicants from more than 50 countries will begin their quest to reach the epic global final through a series of local selection events. Early next year, regional finals will identify the national winners who will head to Africa for the global final in Autumn 2026. 'Nants ingonyama bagithi baba!' (That's how you write out the first line of the Lion King song.) Land Rover More details of the final's unique format will follow, but global finalists will go up against one another across a series of stages as part of one epic adventure, hosted in Africa with Defender conservation partner Tusk. Competitors will be scored individually but compete in pairs, with the lowest‑ranked competitor given the first pick of potential teammates ahead of each stage. Each stage will see the teams complete a variety of Driving Challenges, Ingenuity Challenges and Physical Challenges.' And here's a little expansion of those three categories: Driving Challenges – Demanding tests of driving ability and navigation skills as the teams tackle tough trails, rocky inclines and hidden drops. Ingenuity Challenges – Innovation will be the key to success as our teams have to think fast, work smart and keep their cool. Physical Challenges – Daunting feats of physical strength, coordination and teamwork as our teams traverse canyons and cross rivers. To apply, you need to reside in 'a participating country' (details to follow), be over 23 years old, be able to swim 50 meters, be able to drive and travel internationally, be fluent in English. I'm sure Land Rover will also be looking for off-road driving and outdoorsy experience, too. 'An unstoppable spirit is essential,' the site says. You can sign up for alerts on the Defender Trophy site and drop them app when they open if you're keen. Who's in? Have any Land Rover Camel Trophy, G4 Challenge, or TReK experience? I'd love to hear about it—hit me up at
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
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.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition honours adventures past
Land Rover is paying tribute to the iconic Camel Trophy cars of decades past with the launch of the new Defender 110 Trophy Edition. Though the British marque has stubbed out all reference to RJ Reynolds' greatest export, it's reigniting nostalgia through the use of Deep Sandglow Yellow paint: a modern day take of the distinctive hue that coloured all the vehicles that took part in the competition from 1980 until its eventual demise in 2000. A second shade, Keswick Green, is also available. No matter which you pick, both get a contrasting gloss black finish applied to the bonnet, lower body side, brake calipers and rear recovery eyes. Optional matte protective film is available to fend off bush rash. Other features include gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels shod with all‑terrain tyres, a dark rear scuff plate, gloss black wheel arch guards and a black front undershield. Trophy decals and badging adorn the bonnet, C-pillar and tailgate. Those rugged, khaki-wearing Camel Men of the 1980s and 1990s, however, might scoff at the illuminated Trophy treadplates and Ebony Windsor leather seats. Ditto the exposed cross car beam that wears laser‑etched endcaps with Trophy branding. Though they would probably be quite approving of the range of optional accessories that include an expedition roof rack, roof ladder, front/rear mud flaps, raised air intake for better dust filtration and side-mounted gear carrier providing space for muddy, wet or sandy items. Or, just maybe, a cheeky carton of ciggies to complement those pensive stares across the windswept badlands they've just tackled. Cue the Ennio Morricone... The new Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition is now available to order in the UK and priced from £89,810 (R2,174,777). Local availability is yet to be confirmed.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition Unveiled- More Capable Off-Road?
Land Rover has taken the veil off a new special edition Defender, called Trophy Edition, which is a reminder of its Camel Trophy cars. In this iteration, there are multiple elements inspired by the original Camel Trophy vehicles, which demonstrated their abilities going through extreme environments. Specifically, it gets off-road accessories and retro paint schemes. All of the enhancements are aimed at improving the capabilities of the vehicle to tackle difficult terrains. Starting with the details, the Trophy Edition, based on the Defender 110, gets a snorkel mounted on the front fender and improves the SUV's water wading capacity. The number stands at 1.2 meters to keep the engine going even in dusty conditions. This is complemented by chunky all-terrain tires covering 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels. To go with the look, the SUV is finished in Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green colours. Also Read: The brand has also placed trophy edition decals on the bonnet and C-pillar with a rear badge. Similarly, on the inside, there are Trophy illuminated tread plates complemented by Ebony leather interiors. Meanwhile, the cross-car beam gets the same colour as the exterior paint, along with Trophy branding etched using a laser. The list of optional accessories for the SUV includes a roof rack, a black deployable roof ladder, a side-mounted gear carrier, front and rear classic mud flaps, and a raised air intake. This accessory pack is available in the UK for £4995 (around 5.79 lakh). Apart from these brand is providing an option of a paint protection film. The Defender 110 Trophy Edition will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed between 10 to 13 July. It is already available for order now with a price tag of £89,810 (around Rs 1.04 crore). Before this, Land Rover Classic produced 25 units of the original Defender that drew inspiration from the Camel Trophy, featuring graphics and modifications that closely reflect the expeditions. Unveiled in 2021, that variant was completely sold out within just three days, leading to a second batch of 25 units released a year later.
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Land Rover reveals expedition-ready Defender with air snorkel and chunky all-terrain tyres
Land Rover has revealed a new special-edition Defender that harks back to its classic Camel Trophy cars, gaining off-road accessories and retro paint colours. Based on the mid-sized Defender 110, it gains 20in alloy wheels, a choice of Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green paint – contrasted against a black bonnet, wheel arches and roof – and a black leather interior. The dashboard panel is also painted to match the car's exterior colour. The optional Trophy Edition accessory pack (£4995) adds a roof rack, exterior panniers, an air-intake snorkel, a roof ladder and mud flaps. Matt-finish paint protection film can also be had as an optional extra. Although the new Defender isn't officially referred to as a Camel Trophy car (almost certainly due to the taboo that has enveloped tobacco firms since the sponsored off-road competition ended in 2000), it embraces the look and spirit of the cars that competed in the annual rally. Indeed, Land Rover said the Trophy Edition is a celebration of its 'rich history of adventure challenges' and that its yellow shade is 'synonymous with Defenders used on international Trophy-style events'. The Trophy Edition will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from 10-13 July. Prices start at £ 89,810. This comes after Land Rover Classic built 25 examples of the original Defender inspired by the Camel Trophy, with graphics and modifications closely referencing the expeditions. Revealed in 2021, that model sold out in just three days, despite its sizeable £195,000 price tag. A second run of 25 such models came a year later.
