Land Rover Will Mark James Bond's 60th Anniversary With A Special Model

Although Land Rover isn't as intimately associated with the James Bond film series as other automakers, a number of its cars have appeared with the world's most renowned spy throughout the years, beginning with the Range Rover Rapport Huntsman in 1983's Octopussy.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film, Land Rover will offer Mark Higgins, a James Bond action driver and outstanding rally driver, a unique Defender 90 to drive during a round of the Bowler Defender Challenge one-make race series. The round will take place on March 26 in North Wales.

The unique Defender will have paintwork commemorating the 60th anniversary and naming all of the franchise's 25 titles. Also, it will have certain competitive upgrades, like a roll cage, sports exhaust, and improved cooling for the motor, which will be the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 296 horsepower from the P300 grade.

Land Rovers have also played an important role in the franchise's production behind the camera, whether it was delivering equipment or acting as the vehicle for the film crew. This isn't Land Rover's first brush with the James Bond universe. It released a No Time to Die limited edition built on the Defender's V-8 trim last year.