The inaugural U.S. Land Rover Defender Trophy Competition was inspired by the Camel Trophy international off-road rally of the 1980s and ’90s, was exclusively for purchasers of the limited-production 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 SE Trophy Edition. The original Camel Trophy rally was renowned for its extreme off-road challenges featuring iconic Land Rover SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery, Freelander and original Land Rover Defender. And the U.S. Land Rover Defender Trophy competition is a challenge for a new Land Rover Defender generation. The winner of the U.S. Land Rover Defender Trophy Competition will go on to compete at the Land Rover Trophy rally held in England next year.
2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition
Limited to just 220 units, the new 2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition is a Defender 110 SE X-Dynamic P400 with exclusive features and extra off-road capabilities, including:
- Defender Works V8 Trophy-inspired Heritage Yellow vehicle wrap
- Extended Black Exterior Pack
- Tow hitch receiver
- All-terrain tires
- ClearSight RearView
- Expedition roof rack
- Deployable ladder
- Winch installation kit
- Integrated air compressor
The 2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition also features the Air Suspension Pack, Cold Climate Pack, Off-road Pack, and Advanced Off-road Capability Pack. Buyers of the limited edition Land Rover Defender were invited to compete in the first-ever U.S. Defender Trophy Competition held at the famed Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. In 2021, 81 two-person teams put their off-road, teamwork and physical skills to the ultimate test while experiencing firsthand the true capability of the new Land Rover Defender.
2021 U.S. Land Rover Trophy Competition
Starting October 11, 2021, 81 teams descended upon the sprawling Biltmore Estate in North Carolina to put their skills to the test in their new 2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition SUV. The competition started with one-on-one coaching to help the teams develop their extreme off-road driving skills and learn the new Land Rover Defender inside and out.
U.S. Defender Trophy Competition entrants were subjected to many challenges on and off-road, sometimes testing endurance or physical strength, other times putting their ability to work as a team to the test. The Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition teams were armed with a not-to-scale map, compass and a handheld GPS to first locate their Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition SUV before beginning the day’s tasks.
Entrants encountered electric fences, black bears, angry farmers and a terrain that was anything but even, navigating through thick forests, exposed roots, and plenty of mud to complete various challenges and score points.
Some of the U.S. Land Rover Defender Trophy challenges included building a puzzle that was also a bridge, punching a hole on a card zip-tied to the front bumper (with a hole punch that’s stuck to a tree at a precarious angle), and manually winching the 5,000 lb Defender uphill one car length.
Participants learned essential driving skills and techniques helpful in many off-road situations. ‘Vehicle empathy’ was emphasized, encouraging drivers to treat their Land Rover in ways that will keep it performing through many more adventures.
After six days of 15 teams each, the scores were tallied and the winners were announced. Team Cody from Charlotte, NC, took home the first-ever U.S. Land Rover Defender Trophy along with new off-road skills and know-how, plus bragging rights. Team Cody will move onto the Land Rover Trophy Competition at the Eastnor Castle in England for an even more grueling off-road endurance race at the Land Rover Trophy challenge in 2022.
While the 2022 Defenders driven in the U.S. Land Rover Trophy competition have been spoken for, you can build a new 2023 Land Rover Defender 90 or 110 that is as capable as the limited edition Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition. Start with the online configurator at Land Rover USA. Choose everything from your engine, Defender length, colors and add Packs or other accessories.
You may not be able to get the exclusive Defender Trophy Edition wrap or the experience at the Biltmore Estate, but you can get all the off-road capability for which the legendary Land Rover Defender is known. However, with a Land Rover Experience Drive, you can visit the North Carolina Experience Center for a private lesson and a chance to test out a capable Land Rover SUV over the same rugged terrain. Or stay local at the Land Rover Experience Center in Carmel, California. Contact Cole European to book your Land Rover Experience Drive or Adventure Travel.
Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, will help you build a new Land Rover Defender that is as capable and luxurious as your driving style requires. Our friendly, knowledgeable team will explain all the different features and options available in the new 2022 Land Rover Defender – or any new Land Rover SUV. Save your online configuration and send it to Cole European, or give us a call and stop by Cole European in Walnut Creek, California, to get expert Land Rover advice and test drive a new Land Rover.
