Land Rover and Bowler join forces

Land Rover and performance 4x4 vehicle maker Bowler have officially joined forces, which will allow both manufacturers to benefit further from their long-standing relationship.

Derbyshire-based Bowler has already established a reputation for creating Land Rover-based, high-performance all-terrain vehicles with cars such as the Wildcat. The new agreement solidifies the relationship and gives Bowler greater access to parts and R&D support from the Gaydon brand.

In return, Bowler performance models will feature ‘Powered by Land Rover’ badging. The nomenclature will also feature at joint events and promotional activities.

Land Rover Experience director Mark Cameron said: “Bowler vehicles demonstrate the kind of performance, ride, handling and chassis dynamics that a vehicle powered by Land Rover is capable of when taken to the extreme and liberated of most practical constraints.”

Bowler’s latest EXR model is based on the Range Rover Sport and is available in two guises, including a fully FIA compliant competition car as well as a road-legal version (a first for the brand), dubbed EXR-S. 

The EXR competition car is powered by a highly modified version of Land Rover’s 5.0-litre V8 unit, which produces a competition capped 300bhp and 429lb ft torque. 

By contrast, Bowler’s £155k (plus taxes) road-legal EXR-S serves up 542bhp and 520lb ft torque from its supercharged 5.0-litre V8. The firm claims a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.2sec and a top speed limited to 155mph

Managing director of Bowler Drew Bowler said: “It is Land Rover’s support as well as its technology that has helped Bowler to gain an incredibly strong reputation for extreme off-road performance over the last two decades.

"With bold and ambitious plans, I’m sure that there are exciting times ahead in which both parties will enjoy positive benefits for our respective brands.”