West Lothian Courier

Iconic legend on Zulu trail

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The iconic Land Rover Defender may no longer be in production but the legend of the goanywhere vehicle is being kept alive.

A new Defender may not be so far away but meanwhile JE Motorworks of Coventry is transformi­ng the original in a way that may raise a few eyebrows.

The company will modify a Defender in a whole host of ways, with the ultimate makeover turning it into a lean mean machine to rival a supercar for performanc­e and deliver a level of luxury more commonly found in a limousine.

It might be a world away from the Defender’s intended use traversing muddy hill tracks and desert trails but the firm says there is plenty of demand for the highly specialist modificati­on work it carries out.

The pinnacle of JE Motorworks Defender modifying is its Zulu conversion model, which costs an eyewaterin­g £125,000.

Performanc­e-wise it is a veritable world away from a basic Defender and will take you from 0-60mph in under five seconds and as a bonus offer a ride that’s arguably as comfortabl­e as a Mercedes S-Class executive saloon.

It has a 4.7-litre supercharg­ed V8 engine, a completely new suspension system, an automatic gearbox figurehugg­ing leather seats and an opulent interior.

Modifying Defenders and other Land Rover vehicles is nothing new for JE Motorworks, the firm has built an enviable reputation in this field over many years, but it has seen interest soar since production ground to a halt just over a year ago.

And although the Zulu represents the ultimate upgrade the firm can offer lots of modificati­ons to make rugged Defenders just a little more comfortabl­e and less agricultur­al.

Managing director and chief engineer Jonathan Douglas said: “A lot of people bought them before the end of production because they wanted to own one but didn’t realise how primitive they were compared to a modern car. We do a lot to make them less primitive.

“The Defender is quite exciting to drive but you want the right bits, not the irritating bits.

“We try to address the bits that are more unpleasant but leave the character of the things that aren’t.”

Among the most popular modificati­ons are an automatic gearbox and an electric handbrake, meaning the driver has significan­tly more room for their left knee.

“You have still got the feel of a Defender but don’t have to worry about operating the handbrake or changing gear,” Mr Douglas added.

“You are still retaining some of the character of it but making it a bit easier to drive and live with.”

JE Motorworks’ Zulu really has to be seen in the metal and experience­d as a passenger to be fully appreciate­d.

Additions like a carbon fibre bonnet help to reduce weight, while a whole host of styling modificati­ons enhance its presence in a subtle rather than an over the top way.

Everything from the specially made grille to the exhaust tailpipe is different or enhanced.

Special sports-style leather upholstere­d seats make for a far more comfortabl­e passenger experience - particular­ly at speed - and there’s an abundance of leather throughout the cabin.

And what of this ultimate modified Defender’s off-road ability?

“Of course it can still go off-road and do pretty much anything any reasonable person would ask of it, even if it won’t go up quite so steep a mountain as a regular Defender,” he added.

 ??  ?? Transforma­tion Jonathan Douglas with the upgraded Land Rover Defender
Transforma­tion Jonathan Douglas with the upgraded Land Rover Defender

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