Jaguar Land Rover has granted Bowler Motors, part of the Special Vehicle Operations division, permission to produce 4x4 vehicles using the classic Defender shape. This agreement paves the way for Bowler to develop a new family of high-performance 4x4 models. The new project codenamed 'CSP 575' will combine Bowler's CSP high-strength steel chassis with Land Rover's powerful 575PS 5.0-liter V8 turbocharged engine.

Last year in September, Jaguar Land Rover unveiled the new Defender at the Frankfurt Motor Show and disappointment was rampant!

Lovers of the Defender, the real one in production until 2016, felt betrayed by not recognizing the new JLR 4x4 as the worthy heir to an icon.

Today, thanks to an important agreement, the original Defender will come back to life to the delight of its many fans.

“Land Rover has given us permission to produce vehicles using the classic Defender shape in the next phase of development for our all-terrain performance cars and rally raid vehicles.

This new agreement paves the way for us to develop a new family of high-performance models, beginning with a project codenamed ‘CSP 575’ – a new road-going vehicle with our 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 our past, present and future plans.

Initial renders of the planned 4×4 provide a glimpse of the rally-derived model, which will be the first new Bowler since 2016. Full details will be revealed early next year, but the competition-inspired off-roader promises to combine potent performance and motorsport-honed durability in a classic Defender 110 Station Wagon shape capable of accommodating four passengers."

"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 our expert team has been developing a number of exciting projects as part of Special Vehicle Operations.

Our customers are already benefiting 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 us 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 our motorsport expertise and experience.”

“We’re excited to announce the first major project since our acquisition of Bowler. The ‘CSP 575’ will combine Supercharged V8 performance and four-seat practicality with Bowler’s rally raid-proven CSP platform, broadening the appeal of the brand. This high-performance road-going model will sit alongside Bowler’s evolving range of rally raid models, which continue to enjoy success in the world’s toughest motorsport events.”

“The Bowler name has stood for innovation for 35 years. The licence agreement to produce vehicles with the classic Defender shape gives us a unique opportunity. We’re excited to combine our motorsport experience with the expertise available from Special Vehicle Operations to produce a thrilling competition-inspired Defender 110 Station Wagon for the road.”

“We’re excited to reveal the first details of our latest project, a brand-new addition to the Bowler range codenamed ‘CSP 575’.

As its name suggests, the ‘CSP 575’ will be a 575PS vehicle based on the tried and tested CSP platform which underpins our Rally Raid cars, but there’s a difference. This will be a road-going car with room for four and their luggage within the iconic shape of the original Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon.

Created using our 35 years’ experience of building International Rally Raid cars, with engineering support from our friends at Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the CSP 575 adds a little refinement for road use while still retaining the unmistakable rawness and motorsport passion of a Bowler. This is an off-road car designed for the road and will come with a full safety cage as well as air conditioning.

This is the first new development since Jaguar Land Rover purchased Bowler in December 2019 and is the first of several new projects to be announced over the next couple of years. Don’t worry, we’re not straying from our motorsport roots.

Although the final specification of the CSP 575 is still under wraps for now, we can confirm it will be powered by the phenomenal 5.0-litre Jaguar Land Rover Supercharged V8 petrol engine from the Range Rover Sport SVR, producing 575PS and a mountain of torque.

At home in the desert, or on the road, the CSP 575 will be hand built to order at our factory in Derbyshire. Production will be limited, with customer deliveries anticipated from the second half of 2021.

Pricing is anticipated to be around £200,000 in the UK, dependent on specification.”