While plateauing a bit since its peak popularity about half a decade ago, overlanding is still quite popular in 2025. And given the amount of time the off-grid expedition hobby has been bustling for, the expertise has grown tremendously as well.
One such expert firm is Arksen, a British firm specializing in all things adventure, from explorer boats to overlanding vehicles. Now, their latest build, Project Sahara, gives us a ground-up Defender off-roader with a rebuilt powertrain, upgraded drivetrain, and accessories expertly curated by the brand itself.
Built Without Compromise
Arksen’s uncompromising approach to the D110 platform mirrors the relentless Sahara Desert it’s named after. More than just a bolt-on overlanding package, Project Sahara gets the full off-road treatment: hot-dip galvanized chassis, bare metal respray in Mercedes Pangea Green Metallic, and raptor-coated underbody protection. The rebuilt 300TDI 2.5L turbo diesel engine pairs with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while Terrafirma suspension with a 2-inch lift and fresh Cooper S/T Maxx tires on 16-inch Wolf rims handle whatever terrain you throw at it. New brake system, cooling system, clutch, flywheel, and stainless exhaust mean this Defender is ready for another few decades of abuse.
Refined for the Long Haul
Inside is where Arksen’s attention to detail really shines. You’ll be greeted by tan leather seats with diamond stitching, black Alcantara dash and headliner, and a leather-wrapped Range Rover Classic steering wheel. The Alpine ILX-F903D touchscreen brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the mix, along with four USB charging ports and a reverse camera. Even the power steering and air conditioning were updated from the base model.
Turn-Key Expedition Platform
The “Expedition Ready” designation does the heavy lifting here. Arksen loads Project Sahara with an Alu-Cab 2-person rooftop tent, 270-degree shadow awning, and shower/changing cube. The integrated water system, deep-cycle house battery, and National Luna 50L fridge/freezer mean you can set up camp way off-grid. A tubular front bumper houses a Warn winch, while the snorkel, rock sliders, and NAS tubular rear step with tow point handle the technical stuff. This is a vehicle you could drive straight into the backcountry without stopping at the outfitter.
Spec Sheet
Model:Arksen Project Sahara
Base Car: Land Rover Defender D110 Station Wagon
Engine: Rebuilt 300TDI 2.5L Turbo Diesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Suspension: Terrafirma with 2″ lift
Wheels/Tires: 16″ Wolf rims with Cooper S/T Maxx 235/85 R16
Exterior: Mercedes Pangea Green Metallic with Santorini Black accents
Interior: Tan leather with black Alcantara
Tent: Alu-Cab 2-person Expedition 3.1 rooftop tent
Fridge: National Luna 50L fridge/freezer
Pricing & Availability
Arksen offers Project Sahara with pricing available upon application through their website. The company can build custom versions to specification, and the vehicle is eligible for U.S. import.
Recap
Arksen Project Sahara Defender
Arksen’s Project Sahara takes the Land Rover Defender D110 SW through a complete ground-up restoration with a rebuilt 300TDI diesel engine, upgraded suspension, and luxury interior touches, then loads it with everything you need for serious overlanding — rooftop tent, fridge, awning, and recovery gear.
