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Jasin Boland
To the Last Defender
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Jasin Boland
To the Last Defender
The Special Operations division made use of the 110 wheelbase and the cab of the double pickup.
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Budd Stanley photos
To the Last Defender
Actress, Naomie Harris, who plays Moneypenney, next to her ride.
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Jasin Boland
To the Last Defender
The Defenders and Range Rover Sport were filmed in the Austrian Alps.
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Budd Stanley photos
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Budd Stanley photos
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Nick Dimbleby
Story & photos by Budd Stanley
Moneypenny sends the Defender out with a bang in upcoming Bond film
The iconic Land Rover Defender’s days are numbered. After 32-years in production (built since 1948 as the Series I, II and II), the Defender will cease to be produced at Land Rovers Sulihull plant, with great uncertainty surrounding the vehicles return to the Land Rover lineup in the future.
This uncertainty has lead to a massive increase in Defender sales over 2015, so much so that Land Rover has prolonged the Defenders production until the end of January 2016 to keep up with demand. While the Defender will be greatly missed, another iconic British adventurer will be paying homage to the great Defender, as a special edition of the off-roader will once again be standard issue for the “Double-Oh” agents in the upcoming James Bond film, SPECTRE.
Built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations division, specially modified Land Rover Defenders will star alongside the Range Rover Sport SVR in major action sequences shot in Austria. The highly capable Defenders were constructed with 37-in diameter Maxxis Trepador off-road tires and obligatory high-arch fender flares to tackle the challenging terrain of the snow-covered mountain roads used for filming. Other enhancements include a custom exo-cage holding a roof basket and four Lightforce LED 180 lamps. Extra body protection has been provided all round with the aid of a Warn Zeon 10-S winch to get Moneypenney out of sticky situations.
Naomie Harris, who will reprise the role of Moneypenny in SPECTRE said, “I made my Bond debut in the Defender, and I have so many fond memories shooting that sequence in Istanbul. It’s such a special franchise to be a part of.”
Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, John Edwards, said, "For Jaguar Land Rover to once again be a part of the iconic vehicle line-ups in one of the most celebrated film franchises in the world represents a proud moment for us. It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase production and concept cars alike and we look forward to continuing this relationship well into the future.”
Fans around the world will be treated to a host of exclusive SPECTRE content on Jaguar and Land Rover’s social channels and brand new websites, including special access to unseen footage and interviews with the design, SVO and stunt teams.
SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, will be released in Canada in November.