If you’re a fan of the classic Land Rover Defender and not too keen on the ultra modern new model, then you may be in luck. Bowler, who make some of the best rally-ready performance SUVs, has just been given a license by Land Rover to produce a vehicle with the classic Defender shape. The company is actually already a part of JLR’s Special Vehicles Operations.
Bowler’s version of the ‘Classic Defender’ takes on the 5-door station wagon body style and it will be called the Bowler CSP 575.
“CSP” here refers to the Cross Sector Platform, a unique rolling chassis developed by Bowler. “575” refers to the 575hp 5.0-litre Jaguar Land Rover Supercharged V8 petrol engine from the Range Rover Sport SVR which has been in Malaysia for the last 6 years.
Despite being quite performance-focused, the CSP 575 seats four. Expect a pricetag of around £200,000…
Check out the press release below for more information.
PRESS RELEASE
Land Rover has given Bowler permission to produce vehicles using the classic Defender shape in the next phase of development for the UK-based manufacturer of all-terrain performance cars and rally raid vehicles.
The new agreement paves the way for Bowler to develop a new family of high-performance models, beginning with a project codenamed ‘CSP 575’ – a new road-going vehicle with Bowler’s own rally-proven CSP high-strength steel chassis, aluminium alloy Defender 110 Station Wagon body panels and Land Rover’s 575PS Supercharged V8. This project will supplement the ongoing motorsport developments that are the foundation of Bowler’s past, present and future plans.
Founded in 1985, Bowler pioneered the production of dedicated off-road competition cars in the UK. Jaguar Land Rover acquired Bowler at the end of 2019 and its expert team has been developing a number of exciting projects as part of Special Vehicle Operations.
Bowler customers are already benefitting from this relationship as Land Rover SV engineers are helping develop Bowler vehicles and using their engineering expertise to test Bowler products at Special Vehicle Operations’ world-class facilities.
Land Rover’s decision to issue Bowler with a licence agreement to build vehicles using the classic Defender shape is a natural progression of this relationship and the new station wagon project represents a unique undertaking – integrating the technology, components and engineering excellence underpinning Land Rover’s SV products with Bowler’s motorsport expertise and experience.
Bowler’s motorsport heritage
1985 Drew Bowler begins making and selling competitive safari and trials cars from his home in Derbyshire
1991 Drew Bowler wins ARC National Comp Safari
2000 Bowler first competes in world-famous Dakar Rally in Africa, and races in central Europe
2004 Bowler vehicle wins British Hill Rally Championship
2005 Bowler’s largest ever Dakar entry means it’s the second largest factory team, and has highest finisher rate
2006 Bowler vehicles win both the British Baja National Championship and the French Baja
2012 Bowler agrees formal brand partnership with Land Rover across sponsorship, marketing and engineering
2014 Defender Challenge launched to prepare competitors for Dakar. Bowler moves into new production facility
2016 CSP platform development begins. Company founder Drew Bowler sadly passes away in November
2018 Bowler vehicles claim first, second and fourth overall on Tuareg Rallye. Military CSP concept debuts
2019 Jaguar Land Rover acquires Bowler, adding the business to its Special Vehicle Operations division
