FEATURE - Bowler Extreme Defender
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Bowler Motors UK
What you’re looking at here is arguably the most over-the-top, adventure-ready Land Rover Defender you can get that’s still legal for the road. Little wonder then that it’s called the ‘Extreme Defender’.
Bowler Motors in the UK have been in the business of building and racing off-road vehicles for nearly 40 years. Founded by Drew Bowler in 1985, Bowler has competed in numerous national, European and international off-road and hillclimb events, including the ‘big one’ - the Dakar Rally.
While Land Rover Defender conversions don’t encompass everything that Bowler does, it's a vehicle they've become synonymous with. The brand’s close ties to Land Rover were formalised in 2012, leading to a one-make rally series using Bowler-converted Defenders a couple of years later.
Drew Bowler passed away in 2016, but Bowler Motors has continued, with Jaguar Land Rover officially acquiring the business in 2019 and granting Bowler use of the ‘Defender’ name for their vehicles a year later. So far, those vehicles have included a special, road-biased Defender wagon codenamed ‘CSP 575’.
New Extremes
Staying true to Bowler’s principles of producing, converting and modifying vehicles to make them ready to tackle just about anything off-road, the new ‘Extreme’ conversion for the Defender was unveiled earlier in 2022 and will be built in limited numbers each year by the UK company.
Using either customer-supplied Land Rover Defenders or vehicles sourced to customer request, the Extreme conversion is available across 90, 110 and 130 platforms of the late-model classic Defender and follows the ‘Fast Road’ Defender conversion that Bowler already offers.
Extreme Outdoors
The most obvious element of the Extreme Defender is its stance, achieved via a 2-inch lift kit and the addition of big 35-inch BF Goodrich tyres on 16-inch beadlock steel wheels (although Maxxis tyres are fitted in the images presented here).
The lift is part of a bespoke front and rear suspension system taken from Bowler’s Fast Road Defender, while the oversized tyres see Bowler’s ‘Bulldog’ extended wheelarch kit added.
Below the signature Bowler sill guards, rockslider steps (not shown here) are part of the package and rollover protection is added in the form of a comprehensive external rollcage that includes a roof basket.
At the front end, the factory bumper is replaced with Bowler’s own unit that’s in the style of the sill guards and incorporates recovery points. There’s a Bowler rear bumper, too, styled and positioned to minimise impact on the Defender’s departure angle and also incorporating a step kit, allowing for easier access to the vehicle.
The factory-fitted lighting is replaced with “high performance” LED units front and rear, with Bowler’s own auxiliary DRLs added. More lighting that’s optionally available includes a bank of Lazer spotlights atop the rollcage and convenience/access lights for the rear, which in the case of the vehicle shown, illuminate the Defender 110 dual cab ute’s tub.
Finishing touches include a steering guard, stainless steel bolts, bonnet vents, new door handles and upgraded hinges all round, including tailgate hinges for Defender utes. The handles, vents and hinges are all billet aluminium.
In addition to fitting the comprehensive Extreme kit, Bowler can also repaint the Defender in any colour the customer wishes.
Extreme Indoors
Inside, the Extreme conversion is as much about luxury and performance as capability and practicality. After stripping the interior, Bowler apply soundproofing material, then full carpeting.
The factory seats are replaced with Recaro sports seats that have provision for multi-point harnesses. These are retrimmed in leather, the colour of which can be specified by the customer.
An Alcantara headlining is fitted, a Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel replaces the factory tiller and the gear levers are upgraded with chunky Bowler units.
Sat nav and DAB radio are added as part of a Double DIN infotainment upgrade (using an Alpine head unit in the images shown here), with further personalisation in this area also available, depending on customer request.
Extreme Mechanicals
Engine upgrades under the Extreme package include the Fast Road conversion that improves horsepower to 130kW and torque to 450Nm on the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder that's common to late-model Defenders.
That compares to 90kW and 360Nm maximums from this engine in factory spec, with Bowler stating the additional output is achieved through a modified ECU and addition of a race-style intercooler as part of a ‘Stage 2’ performance package.
No mention is made of the standard six-speed manual transmission or dual-range four-wheel drive system for late-model classic Defenders that’ll be the base for the Extreme conversion, so it can be assumed these remain unchanged for the package.
Braking is upgraded from factory, though, with the Bowler ‘Big Brake’ package added that includes larger discs (334mm front and 297mm rear) and 4-piston calipers. Bowler says this upgrade has no impact on the Defender's ABS, or the factory traction control system.
Built to Order
The Bowler Extreme Defender conversion is available on a commission-only basis, with only a few build slots to be allocated each year, the UK company says.
Pricing hasn’t been revealed by Bowler, who state that age and condition of the donor vehicle will impact the conversion’s cost, along with things like individual customer requests.
That being said, previous Bowler vehicles have cost in the region of $300,000 in turn-key specification, so expect the Extreme Defender to be in the low six figure range in Australian dollar terms, too, even if the customer provides the donor vehicle.
More details at bowlermotors.com
BOWLER EXTREME DEFENDER – BASIC PACKAGE SPECIFICATION
MECHANICAL
- Stage 2 Engine package (including remap, intercooler and centre box delete piece)
- Fast Road suspension kit
- Bowler Big Brake package
- Deep offset 16-inch steel wheels with 35-inch tyres
EXTERIOR
- Bowler Bulldog wheelarch kit
- Bowler lightweight 110 side rails
- Bowler lightweight road bumper
- Bowler lightweight steering guard
- Bowler lightweight rear step
- Bowler bonnet vents
- Stainless steel bolt kit
- Full safety roll cage with additional roof rack system
- Bowler headlight surrounds
- LED lighting front and rear
- Additional DRLs
- Billet Aluminium accessories, hinges, handles and vents
INTERIOR
- MOMO leather steering wheel
- Recaro seats
- Bowler black gearshifters
- Bespoke interior retrim with body colour contrast leather
- Alcantara headlining
- Double DIN infotainment unit with sat nav and DAB radio
- Body soundproofing underlay
- Carpets
OPTIONAL
- 4 x roof mounted Lazer spotlights, 2 x rear-mounted utility lights
