Licence agreement paves the way for Bowler to develop high-performance road-going vehicles using the classic Defender 110 Station Wagon shape

1. Land Rover has given Bowler Motors, part of its Special Vehicle Operations division, permission to use the original Defender shape for high-performance vehicles


2. New road-going station wagon will share the unmistakable silhouette of the classic Defender 110 and be the first Bowler co-developed with Special Vehicle Operations
   engineering expertise


3. Project codenamed ‘CSP 575’ will combine Bowler’s own rally-proven CSP highstrength steel chassis with Land Rover’s potent 575PS 5.0-litre Supercharged V8, four sports seats, a roll cage and some comfort features such as air conditioning


4. First renders give a glimpse of the planned station wagon, available in limited numbers from 2021, initially in UK and EU, with an indicative UK price of £200,000


5. Order books will open next year. To find out more about Bowler’s latest road vehicle and its rally raid competition models, see www.bowlermotors.com

“Having Bowler create this high-performance road goer is yet another favour to the heritage of the Defender. It’s great to see the Land Rover name, care of Bowler Motors amongst some of the toughest motorsport events.” Steve Kenchington, Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand, General Manager.

4 November 2020, Coventry, UK: Land Rover has given Bowler permission to produce vehicles using the classic Defender shape in the next phase of development for the UKbased manufacturer of all-terrain performance cars and rally raid vehicles.

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

Initial renders of the planned 4x4 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 motorsporthoned 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 its expert team has been developing a number of exciting projects as part of Special Vehicle Operations. Bowler customers are already benefitting 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 Bowler 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 Bowler’s motorsport expertise and experience.

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: “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 highperformance 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 new model will be manufactured in very small quantities at Bowler’s headquarters in Derbyshire, UK, by the same talented engineers and technicians producing its competition 4x4s. With global appeal but targeted at customers in the UK, select European and overseas markets, indicative pricing for the new model is around £200,000 in the UK.

Calum McKechnie, General Manager, Bowler Motors, said: “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.”

For more details or to enquire about the new Bowler ‘CSP 575’ station wagon project, please see www.bowlermotors.com


About Land Rover

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.

About Special Vehicle Operations
Special Vehicle Operations is a specialist team of Jaguar and Land Rover designers, engineers and technicians dedicated to amplifying the performance, luxury and capability attributes of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles:

1. SV
   Designs, engineers and produces high specification SV-branded Jaguars and Land
   Rovers, amplifying key characteristics including performance and luxury


2. Vehicle Personalisation
   Undertakes bespoke commissions, one-off vehicles and is responsible for Jaguar Land Rover's vehicle accessories and Premium Palette paint


3. Classic
   The official source of authentic cars, expert services, genuine parts and unforgettable experiences for classic Jaguar and Land Rover enthusiasts worldwide


4. Bowler Motors
   Derbyshire-based manufacturer of all-terrain performance cars and rally raid vehicles

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 platform development begins. Company founder Drew Bowler sadly passes away in November
2018 Bowler vehicles claim first, second and fourth overall on Tuareg Rallye. Military CSP concept debuts
2019 Jaguar Land Rover acquires Bowler, adding the business to its Special Vehicle Operations division

Bowler CSP (Cross-Sector Platform)

Bowler’s Finite Element Analysis (FEA)-optimised Cross Sector Platform (also known as CSP) incorporates the strength and lightness of monocoque construction, the simplicity of ladder frame construction, with the versatility of spaceframe construction. The CSP design and manufacturing concept uses simple construction methods and materials to produce
bespoke ultimately variable platforms with simple tooling – producing a lightweight, robust and easily repairable structure. Many common chassis components use readily available structural steels.

For more information please contact:

Morgan Banks
PR and Event Executive
morgan.banks@jaguarlandrover.co.nz