The build company in question is Ares and its Ares co-founder, Waleed Al Ghafari, has described the new car as “the Defender of all Defenders,” while company CEO Dany Bahar (former Lotus Cars CEO) said that his team has updated an icon: “The Defender is a motoring icon, but icons can be reimagined and our Defender is the ultimate incarnation of the bespoke 4×4, delivering incredible performance, captivating looks and opulent touches more akin to a luxury SUV.”
The 278bhp, 439Nm engine is a V8 transplant, which starts off as an original Land Rover 4.5-liter V8, increased to 4,748 cc thanks to an increase in bore size from 94 mm to 96 mm plus new camshafts, revised cylinder heads and larger injectors.
There’s a bespoke exhaust manifold and an ITG air intake too, and the setup is completed with Milltek sports catalytic converters and exhaust system complete with a bypass valve for a suitable V8 soundtrack through the quad tailpipes.
If you want even more performance, Areas will build you a supercharged version that uses a 4,698 cc V8 producing 468bhp and 649Nm of torque. Both versions of the car get a six-speed tiptronic auto transmission.
The suspension and braking don’t escape from the fun – the ride height has been increased by 75 mm (2.95 inches) on the naturally aspirated version and by 50 mm (1.96 inches) on the supercharged Defender thanks to bespoke progressive rate springs. Fox high-pressure dampers have been installed to help on- and off-road.
Ares says that the upgraded brakes – AP Racing 362×32 mm front discs clamped by six-piston AP callipers – ensure that its Defender stops as well as it goes. Finally, the car is fitted with a set of Ares 18-inch alloys and 305/70 R18 Cooper tires.
When it comes to exterior modifications, the wheel arch extensions, hood, headlight surround and grille have all been fashioned out of lightweight carbon fiber. The company wants to make sure that the Defender is still capable off-road, so it has added heavy duty front and rear bumpers, underside protection, reinforced front and rear tow points, side steps and steel roof bars as well. The upgraded Defender even gets full LED lights for added illumination.
