Land Rover is launching the Defender Trophy, a global competition consisting of, off-road driving, teamwork, and conservation tasks, all under the eyes of a worldwide online audience. Alongside this, the brand has unveiled the Defender 110 Trophy Edition, a special variant that they have designed to celebrate the Defender’s expedition legacy.
Defender Trophy
The new Defender Trophy is inspired by the iconic Camel Trophy and G4 Challenge events. It is open to participants from over 50 countries, with local selections starting this summer and national finals slated for next spring. The grand finale? An Africa-based showdown in 2026, hosted in partnership with their conservation ally Tusk.
Speaking of conservation, Land Rover doesn’t want you to think that this is just about mud, sweat, and gears. Winners of the global final will participate in a real-world conservation mission, aiming to leave a “positive and lasting legacy” in the regions touched by the event.
The Format
Applicants must be over 23, able to swim 50 Meters, eligible to drive and travel internationally, and fluent in English. Once selected, competitors are said to face a gauntlet of :
- Driving Challenges: Navigating tough trails, rocky inclines, and hidden drops.
- Ingenuity Challenges: Problem-solving and quick thinking under pressure.
- Physical Challenges: Feats of strength, coordination, and teamwork, from canyon traverses to river crossings.
Competitors are said to be scored individually but compete in pairs, with the lowest-ranked participant choosing their teammate for each stage. The entire journey will be broadcasted online.
Defender 110 Trophy Edition
To commemorate the occasion, Land Rover has introduced the Defender 110 Trophy Edition, available in Deep Sandglow Yellow (a nod to historic Trophy events) and Keswick Green (celebrating rural UK exploration). Both colours can be finished with an optional Matte Protective Film which can provide an added layer of protection to the bodywork.
Here are some of the key highlights :
- Gloss black accents on the bonnet, body, brake callipers, and rear recovery eyes.
- 20-inch Gloss black alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, a dark rear scuff plate and gloss black wheel arch protection, with a black front under-shield.
- Trophy decals on the bonnet, C-pillar, and rear.
- Snorkel for improved water-wading (up to 1.2 Meters), a roof rack, deployable ladder, side-mounted gear carrier, and mud flaps (as part of an accessory pack).
- Ebony Windsor Leather seats, illuminated treadplates, and a colour-matched cross-car beam with laser-etched Trophy branding inside.
Under the hood, buyers can choose between a 3.0-litre inline-six diesel (296 HP, 650 NM) or a plug-in hybrid (2.0-litre petrol + electric motor, 296 HP, 540 NM), both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices in the UK start at £89,810.
Functional Enhancements ?
While the Trophy Edition’s cosmetic upgrades and accessories are visually appealing, the enhancements are said to be functional, the snorkel, all-terrain tyres, and roof rack are for genuine off-road use. The Trophy Edition will make its public debut at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, between 10th and 13th July, with orders already open in the UK.
The Big Picture
Land Rover’s new Defender Trophy can be said to have multiple agendas, however, storytelling and competition seem to be at the forefront. The event is said to be aimed towards promoting adventure amongst enthusiasts, while the conservation mission with Tusk ensures there’s somewhat of a substance behind the show. For Land Rover, it’s a chance to reinforce the Defender’s image as a modern-day explorer’s tool with a socially conscious touch to it. Now, would that be something that can be achieved through this ? Well, that remains to be seen.
