Bond Edition Defender is a spy‑spec super SUV

The limited-edition – only 15 of them for the UK – is inspired by the Defender which appears in the 25th Bond film, which finally opens in cinemas on 30 September. That makes it the most powerful and dynamic Defender ever, which is of course what you need when being chased by bad guys. 

Land Rover says the Defender is at the heart of the action, and judging by a movie clip that Land Rover put out last April before the movie’s opening was postponed because of the pandemic, it certainly appears so. 

The Defender V8 Bond Edition gets all the good gear just like the movie car (but thankfully not the rearranged bodywork after a spectacular tumble in the jungle). That means it is the top new V8 model with its supercharged 5.0-litre 525PS engine providing 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. It also gets the Extended Black Pack with 22-inch gloss black wheels and Xenon blue front brake calipers. 

Land Rover’s equivalent of Q hasn’t exactly stretched him or herself in coming up with the Bond Edition spec. Gadgets extend to illuminated ‘Defender 007’ treadplates, a James Bond-themed start-up animation for the infotainment system and 007 puddle lamp graphics. 

But then the new Defender doesn’t really lack for much, as is right and proper given the price: £105,395 for the three-door 90 or £108,040 for the five-door 110. Land Rover says 300 individually numbered models only are being made with only 15 earmarked for UK buyers. 

Meanwhile, roll on 30 September. Apart from being Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007, No Time To Die marks a 30-year plus association between Land Rover and the James Bond franchise (the first 007 film with a Landie in it was The Living Daylights). 

In No Time To Die, our heroic secret agent drives not just the new Defender but also a Series III, while also in the film are two Range Rover Sport SVRs and a Range Rover Classic. Oh, and some Astons Martins…