The Bowling Defender Challenge explored the limits of the TG test track at Speed ​​Week. How did they do it?

This is the Bowling Defender Challenge, which is very exciting. This was the first time Bowler tried to modify the new defender, so they naturally went all out to create a mature rally car.

As the name suggests, Bowler's Defender aims to participate in its own single series of events-Bowler Defender Challenge. It’s not complicated to understand, is it?

The series will run through 2022, with 12 teams participating in seven different rally races in the UK. It doesn't matter whether you are a complete novice or a rally veteran; if you buy a car, you can participate. 

Bowler used to participate in challenges with old diesel defenders who like to roll on the roof-this new car is more friendly and even more impressive off-road. However, the series is still difficult-Bowler sees it as a booster for competitors to participate in events such as the Dakar Rally. Oh my goodness.

Ah yes, it is not V8. Not yet anyway. The challenge is actually based on the Defender 90 P300, so it uses a 296bhp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine connected to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

many. There may be too many to list here, although you can see most of them with your own eyes. In terms of appearance, it is mainly standard body panels, but there are also 6mm thick aluminum underbody protectors, a small new rear spoiler, rally-specific 18-inch wheels, thick off-road tires, and a Bowler-designed front bumper and grille. , Additional lighting, plastic windows and additional shark fin windshield gaskets from Disco 5. Since joining the JLR stable at the end of 2019, one of the main benefits Bowler has discovered is access to the parts bin. 

Oh, and Defender’s traditional spare tire has been taken out of the trunk and pushed to the back to help distribute the weight. 

Ah yes, there is a lot of work done in the challenge that you certainly can't see. Below there is a new Bowler-designed sports exhaust (this one has a little bit), a custom suspension with stiffer springs, Fox Racing shock absorbers and a new cooling device, two auxiliary devices removed heat sink. There are also more powerful engine, gearbox and radiator brackets, as well as rally-specific gearbox beams, supporting front and rear subframes and complete FIA-approved roll cages. 

Working on the new guard means that Bowler also needs more electrical skills to solve it. Traction control and stability control will be permanently turned off, and the terrain response system will disengage to prevent it from switching between different modes when you fly through the rally phase. 

It may have the same engine, gearbox and brakes as the standard P300, but this is indeed a completely different animal from the highway Defender. 

This also contributes to the feel of the entire rally car. Despite the additional scaffolding inside, almost everything has been stripped to ensure that the weight of the challenge is roughly the same as the car on which it is based. 

You get the right racing seat, many new and important switches, OMP Racing steering wheel and column paddle shift module for the gearbox. There are also many fire extinguishers, which is by no means worrying...

Of course it is. A spring spring 90 P300 road bike will set you back around £50,000. The Bowler is twice its price, priced at £99,500, but now you know how much work it takes to build each one. In addition, the price includes competition support for participating in the challenge and each of the seven events. It also means that you can introduce yourself as a rally driver to people, which is really cool.

You have to get a magazine to find out, because the bowler finds himself fighting against Morgan's crazy CX-T and Prodrive's super-senior BRX Hunter. Yes, this is indeed a very beautiful day. 

Click on these blue texts to directly order the November issue of TG Magazine.

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