Land Rover’s reborn Defender is much more stylish than the original model, but Polish tuner Carlex Design takes the SUV to the next level by customizing it inside and out. It’s a look that’s definitely not for the low-key, and it won’t please Land Rover’s designers, but splitting opinions is a normal thing for the company.
Carlex named his most recently built Racing Green, which is a reference to the shade of green worn by some of England’s best and fastest cars for decades. Part of the Defender is painted dark green, but the most striking visual aspect of the build is the wide treatment. Carbon fiber fender flares add a few inches to the size of the Defender while looking like an overgrown race car or a Mini John Cooper Works GP. Carlex also put carbon fiber on the hood, parts of the front bumper, the mirror caps and the spare wheel cover. Black wheels are standard.
Inside, the Racing Green offers a mix of green and cognac leather, sports seats for the front and rear passengers, plus additional carbon fiber parts. Each build is given a numbered plaque that, if you wake up in it without seeing the outside, immediately reminds you that you are not in a 100% factory stock Defender.
Carlex made no mention of mechanical modifications. In the United States, buyers can choose between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 296 hp and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo with 395 hp.
Prices for the Racing Green Edition start at $ 85,000 excluding taxes and options, which is roughly $ 103,000. In comparison, Land Rover charges $ 49,900 for an entry-level Defender 110.
More than a dozen independent tuners are attracted to Land Rover’s off-roaders and the list appears to be growing every year. Gerry McGovern, the car manufacturer’s outspoken head of design, has been strongly critical of the aftermarket in recent years. According to him, these companies use Land Rover property to make money. He promised in 2017 that the company’s in-house tuner, Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), would put them out of business, but we’re 24 days from the end of 2020 and tuners are still finding ways to buy Land Rover’s luxury 4x4s. Cook. to their taste.
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