Defender of an awesome legacy
THE new Land Rover Defender will be among a series of vehicles from the British SUV brand to feature in the next James Bond movie No Time To Die.
The latest incarnation of Land Rover’s most famous model will be seen in a car chase during the movie which is due for release next April.
Other Land Rovers to be included in the 25th Bond movie alongside the new Defender are the Range Rover Sport SVR, the Series III Land Rover and Range Rover Classic.
Richard Agnew, global communications director for Land Rover, said: “No Time To Die is a brilliant way to showcase the New Defender’s capabilities in the latest jaw-dropping James Bond car chase.
“It’s been hugely exciting to continue our relationship with EON Productions and work with their teams to deliver a spectacular sequence.”
Land Rover has a longstanding partnership with EON Productions on the Bond films, which began in 1983 when a Range Rover Convertible appeared in Octopussy.
Footage captured during filming of the upcoming movie gives a behind-the-scenes view of stunt co-ordinator Lee Morrison and stunt driver Jess Hawkins at work.
No Time To Die is the first movie to feature the new Defender and the vehicle – due to be on the road early next year – has been tested by the 007 expert stunt team in the most extreme off-road conditions, demonstrating its unstoppable nature.
Lee Morrison said: “Designing and co-ordinating the action sequences for the Bond franchise requires a noncompromising mindset.
“We needed an unstoppable vehicle to help us battle against the elements, steep descents and river crossings so we chose the new Defender.
“I’m beyond impressed that the Defender is not only back but much, much better!”
The new Defender provides ground clearance of 291mm and world-class off-road geometry, giving the Defender 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively.
Its maximum wading depth of 900mm is supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, so drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence.
Land Rover’s design team worked closely with Special Effects and Action Vehicles Supervisor Chris Corbould on the specification of the Defenders in the film which are based on the Defender X model in Santorini Black, with darkened skid pans, 20in dark finish wheels and professional off-road tyres.
These were the first Defenders built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new facility in Nitra, Slovakia.
No Time To Die, is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and sees Daniel Craig, return for his fifth film as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007, while Oscar winner Rami
Malek will play supervillain Safin.
The film will be released globally in cinemas on April 2, 2020 and in the US on April 10.
Report:
Never rough but always ready: the new Land Rover Defender has been put through its paces by top drivers on the latest Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, right