Skip advert
Advertisement

New Land Rover Defender Trophy II released for 2022

The V8-powered classic Defender has returned with an additional bodystyle and plenty of off-road gear

Land Rover is bringing back the classic Defender in Trophy II guise - a nod to Bob Ives’s Camel Trophy-winning Defender of 1989. This may sound like déjà vu, because Land Rover did the same last year with the Defender Trophy, however there are a few critical differences in the latest model. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Like previous Trophy Defenders, this one gets a V8 engine. Specifically, a 5.0-litre V8 petrol unit, producing 399bhp and 515Nm of torque. This is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. To make sure the Trophy II has the stopping power to match, Land Rover has equipped an uprated brake system with 335mm discs up front and 300mm discs at the rear, both with four-piston calipers. 

The suspension has also been tweaked for off-road use, with greater travel and tougher springs. The toughness extends to the wheels and tyres with gloss black 18-inch heavy-duty steel wheels wearing mud-terrain boots. Wading depth stands at 500mm. 

Land Rover has revised the exterior with a protective A-frame ahead of the windscreen, which also houses a winch to help get the Trophy II out of trouble. The satin black bonnet offers more than just a visual cue as it reduces glare in bright environments. If you find yourself traversing remote areas at night, meanwhile, the 1.27-metre LED light bar should provide impressive visibility. There’s also front skid plate to protect the engine and a rear ladder provides access to the roof rack. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside the Trophy II, the equipment levels are a world away from Defenders of old. There are Recaro CS sports seats, leather trim on the dashboard, doors and headlining and an infotainment system from Land Rover Classic with sat-nav and smartphone connectivity. An Elliot Brown clock face mirrors the exterior camouflage on the dash. 

Unlike the Eastnor Yellow Trophy from 2021 however, the new model is covered in a white and black snow camouflage featuring 23 famous off-roading locations, including Land Rover’s expeditions in South Africa, Loas and Peru.

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: “The Defender has conquered terrains across the world. Our latest Classic Works V8 Trophy II honours this expedition heritage in its unique exterior design, paying homage to some of these stunning locations. As well as taking delivery of a highly collectible vehicle, our owners will have the unique opportunity to put theirs to the ultimate test in a bespoke Land Rover Trophy event.”

Like last year’s Defender Trophy, numbers will be limited to just 25. Customers can purchase from Land Rover Classic now with prices starting from £225,000 for the 90 model. 

Now check out the Trophy version of the new Land Rover Defender...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

2026 Land Rover Defender updates look subtle, but they fix one huge annoyance for owners
Land Rover Defender MY26 updates - front

2026 Land Rover Defender updates look subtle, but they fix one huge annoyance for owners

Land Rover has introduced new, larger white-painted steel wheels for models with big brakes, fixing one massive irritation with the previous generatio…
News
30 May 2025
Land Rover Defender drives JLR profits to a ten year high
Land Rover Defender 110 County - cornering

Land Rover Defender drives JLR profits to a ten year high

JLR prepares for a busy year ahead with the launch of the first electric Range Rover, and the next stages of Jaguar’s rebirth
News
14 May 2025
Best diesel cars 2025
Best diesel cars - header image

Best diesel cars 2025

Diesel power strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy, and these are the best diesel cars you can buy
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Best 4x4s and off-road cars to buy 2025
Best 4x4s and off-road cars - header image

Best 4x4s and off-road cars to buy 2025

After a four-wheel-drive vehicle with plenty of off-road clout? We have you covered
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Super sci-fi Kia EV6 for an exceptional £260 per month
Kia EV6 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Super sci-fi Kia EV6 for an exceptional £260 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 31 May is an extremely attractive price for this extremely capable electric family car
News
31 May 2025
Car Deal of the Day: new Omoda 5, with all the kit you might need, for less than £200 per month
2024 Omoda 5 prototype - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: new Omoda 5, with all the kit you might need, for less than £200 per month

The Omoda 5 is one of the newest arrivals to the family SUV market, and now it’s our Deal of the Day for 1 June
News
1 Jun 2025
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: premium hatch is a joy to live with
Audi A3 35 TFSI S tronic S line long termer - first report header

Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI long term test: premium hatch is a joy to live with

First report: premium hatch joins our fleet, and its bright metallic paint has already earned it a nickname
Long-term tests
1 Jun 2025