What's the news?
Sad at the news that Land Rover will officially retire the venerable Defender next year? Yup, so is Afzal Kahn, head of Land Rover modifier and body kit maker A. Kahn Design. But instead of just crying into his Corn Flakes, as we did, Mr Kahn decided to create a line-up of ultimate Defenders, starting with this, the striking looking 105 Longnose Flying Huntsman.
The extra 400mm of length is there to make room for both a 450hp Chevrolet V8 6.2-litre engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission controlled by push buttons. That should be enough to make this one of the fastest Land Rovers ever built and Kahn isn't going to stop there. Also in the works are 3.0-litre petrol V6 and 3.2- and 4.6-litre diesel models, as is a four-door version and (get this) a massive 6x6 one to take on Merc's mental six-wheel drive AMG G-Class.
"The Defender is probably the most iconic and well-loved British vehicle in existence - I believe even more so than the Mini" said Kahn at the unveiling of the Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose. "The fact that Land Rover are retiring it is an absolute tragedy - it's one of my top three all time favourite vehicles. With the 105 Longnose I set out to create something fashionable, iconic and revolutionary which carries on the spirit of the Defender. These days it's not what you wear, it's what you drive."
"It's a truly British icon in the same way the Wrangler is to the US, the G-Class to Germany or the Land Cruiser L70 to Japan. It's instantly recognisable - if you saw one on the Moon, you'd know it was a Defender. We are keeping the project as British as possible by coach building the vehicle in the UK. We will source new vehicles which will undergo a total re-build with a number of elements and mechanical features refined and upgraded in order to withstand the speed and finesse associated with the Huntsman."
Anything else?
Bulletproof security versions will also be available and the 105 Longnose will get its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.