Base Defender Specification:
- Model Defender 90 P300 SE
- Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
- Power/torque 296bhp/400Nm
- Transmission Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
- 0-60mph 6.7 seconds
- Top speed 119mph (limited when in Bowler Mode)
- Economy 24.6mpg
- CO2 260g/km
- Fuel Capacity 90 litres
- Weight 2,065kg
- Length 4,583mm
- Width 2,105mm
- Height 1,974mm
- Wheelbase 2,587mm
- Turning Circle 11m
The Defender Bowler rally car is based on a production car which includes driver convenience features such as InControl Security, Sat Nav, Climate Control and Telematics as part of the donor spec. Hopefully drivers won’t ever need to use reverse cameras but the aircon can be a blessing in hot summer rounds.
Defender Bowler Specification (modifications from base)
Structural Body and Chassis:
- Monocoque bracing – minimises body movement and supports underbody protection
- Full internal roll cage integrated with body and linking suspension mounts
- Internal spare wheel mount integrated to roll cage
- Rally-spec gearbox cross member
- Stiffened gearbox mounts
- Strengthened engine mounts
- Braced front and rear subframes
- Front suspension turret brace
- Rear turret brace
- Strengthened radiator mounts
- Adapted chassis and subframe mounts
Performance:
- Cooling – revised to meet needs of competition use
- Increased transmission cooling capacity
- Bowler Sports exhaust system
- Bowler 18-inch motorsport wheels with increased strength
- All-terrain tyres
- Bespoke suspension design with modified subframes, new springs
- Bespoke Fox dampers
- Race steering wheel
- High level air intake
- Front upper wishbone revised to reflect new ride height geometry
Electrical/Systems:
- ECU system integration with race box
- ABS/DSC – rally control modifications
- New integrated wiring harness for new components
- New rally-spec facia
- Navigator control unit for lights/washer/horn
Regulatory:
- High-level rear marker lights
- Door and rear windows replaced with polycarbonate
- Alpine Light replaced by aluminium panel
- Race sports seats with specific race seat mounts
- Five-point race harness
- Integrated and hand-held fire suppression
- Electrical cut-off switches – internal and external
- Complete removal of all airbag systems
Design:
- Front bumper adapted to take new underbody protection
- Bowler front grille with increased air flow
- Rear roof spoiler with extended profile and integrated additional lighting
- Front and rear wing claddings to meet new underbody protection
- Wheel arch extensions utilising accessory fitment
- Door lowers – protection pieces on shortened doors
Rally Function:
- Additional bonnet-mounted windscreen washers – to deal with rally levels of water splash
- Front driving lights for increased night driving illumination
- Rally-spec mudflaps
- Full underbody protection system – 6mm aluminium reinforced design
- New gear shift position – optimised to sports seats
- Column-mounted gear shift paddles – unique to Bowler
- Rear door manual release mechanism
- Wheel arch lines – increased strength to meet rally requirements
About Bowler
Bowler, founded in 1985, is based in Belper, Derbyshire and pioneered the production of dedicated off-road competition cars in the UK.
It has achieved international success in rally raid events, having previously participated in the Dakar Rally, British Hill Climb Championship and French Baja with their Tomcat, Wildcat & Nemesis models, all of which were based on the heritage Defender 90 and 110.
Bowler provides its customers with competition racing events, to provide them with the driving skills and technical competition knowledge necessary to undertake international rally raid events.
Bowler has become synonymous with conversions and modifications of Defender models, designed to enhance power, handling, braking and comfort. These can be tailored to suit individual requirements and desires, including bespoke engineering requirements.
Since its inception Bowler has had a close affiliation with Land Rover, which was formalised with a brand partnership in 2012 that led to the creation of the popular Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series in 2014 – 2016.
The business was acquired by Jaguar Land Rover Group in December 2019 and forms part of Special Vehicle Operations.
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 development begins. Company founder Drew Bowler sadly passes away in November
2018 Bowler vehicles claim first, second and fourth overall on Tuareg Rallye
2019 Jaguar Land Rover acquires Bowler
2020 Bowler granted licence by Jaguar Land Rover to produce road-biased Defender Station Wagon – codenamed CSP 575
Bowler is granted use of the Defender name under licence from Jaguar Land Rover.