Taking its name from the event’s main sponsor, the Camel Trophy was an annual off-road competition held between 1980 and 2000, before later being replaced by the G4 Challenge. Despite decades having passed since the original event, the Camel Trophy Defender racers remain incredibly iconic off-roaders — so much so that Land Rover has been paying homage to these ruggedized rigs with a series of special edition, upgraded models that are eligible for use in special off-road events. The latest of these vehicles is the 2023 Defender Trophy Edition.
Unlike last year’s Trophy Edition Defender which was based on the 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE model, the 2023 version is pieced together around the company’s latest Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE. The luxury SUV has been treated to a plethora of off-road-focused upgrades, including a tow hitch receiver, an air suspension pack, the cold climate pack, off-road pack, and advanced off-road capability pack, plus front and rear classic mudflaps, an onboard air compressor, deep-sided mats, load space rubber mats, an expedition roof rack, a deployable roof ladder, and an electronic winch and winch accessory pack. Limited to only 250 units — all of which are reserved for the North American market — the Defender Trophy Edition also comes adorned in special badging and a black and yellow exterior wrap inspired by the liveries used on the original Camel Trophy Defenders.
Alongside the vehicle itself, the purchase of this limited-edition model also includes an invite to an exclusive adventure competition held at the Land Rover Experience Center in Manchester, Vermont. Limited to just 90 teams, the competition sees entrants put both their off-roading skills and their newly acquired vehicles to the test in a variety of challenging situations across a myriad of terrain types. The winning team from the North American Trophy Competition will also be invited to compete in another “extreme adventure competition” held in the UK next year. Owners and returning participants from last year’s Defender Trophy Edition and event are also eligible for entry into this year’s Trophy Competition, albeit for a $5,000 fee.
Priced at $95,000, the 2023 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition will be available for purchase starting later this month.
