The Land Rover Defender was was originally built as a farm vehicle in 1948 and is one of Britain’s best loved vehicles. Stateside, where they haven’t been imported for years , they fetch ridiculous prices. This vehicle has featured in James Bond and Tomb Raider films, among many others and unfortunately will cease production in December.
Don’t despair as a small company called Wildcat, who make the sensational Bowler Wildcat, can make you a really fast Wildcat Land Rover Defender V8. No more chugging around the farm as Wildcat strips out the stock diesel engine and gearbox, and replaces it with a GM derived 6.2L gasV8 and 6 speed automatic gearbox providing 430 hp and more than 398 lb ft of Torque at 4,700 RPM. Additional power upgrades are available providing over 550 hp and 472 lb ft . The 6 speed automatic gearbox is mated seamlessly to the engine with a unique inbuilt ‘intelligent’ control module, allowing the gearbox to adjust parameters accordingly. The existing vehicle management system is reprogrammed to the new engine and gearbox, resulting in all existing instruments and controls being run as used in the standard vehicle.
Wildcat claim a 0 -60 mph time of 5.9 seconds for the 90 and 6.5 for the larger 110 version.
Check out the video of the Defender in action, below:
| SPECIFICATIONS | ||
| WILDCAT 90 | WILDCAT 110 | |
| CURB WEIGHT | 3,904 lbs | 4,398 lbs |
| MAX SPEED MPH | 120 electronically restricted | 120 electronically restricted |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.9 sec | 6.5 sec |
| FUEL CAPACITY | 15.8 Gallons | 19.8 Gallons |
| ENGINE | 6.2L LS3 V8 | |
| POWER | 430 – 550 hp | |
| TORQUE | 398 lb ft – 472 lb ft | |
| TRANSMISSION | 6 speed automatic gearbox with integrated power control module. | |
| DIFFERENTIALS | Permanent four-wheel drive with center differential. Lockable Center diff | |
| STEERING | Hydraulic power steering | |
| BRAKES | Drilled and vented discs front and rear | |
| TIRES | 265/65 R18275/55 R20 (optional extra) | |
