Land Rover, as befits is position as one of the key sponsors and partners of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, has made a rather special Defender.
Designed and built by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations division, the Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender will carry the iconic Webb-Ellis Trophy around the UK and Ireland on a 100-day tour before the kick off this summer.
There's a special, ultra-secure cabinet in the back, which holds the trophy in a hermetically sealed environment with temperature, humidity and light very carefully controlled. There's also a 40-inch HD Toshiba screen in the back, which will show special films and images as the tour continues. All of the systems for showing the trophy a controlled by a one-off app, which is run on a Toshiba tablet in the front of the car.
To show this special Defender to the world, Land Rover encased it in a giant rugby ball, which was floated up the river Thames into central London, before the ball was opened up to reveal the one-of-a-kind 4x4.
The passenger interior is based on the Defender Autobiography edition and offers a high level of personalised design touches. Black Windsor Leather seats have been embellished with gold contrast stitching and Rugby World Cup 2015 blue piping whilst the contrast stitch extends to the dashboard and doors. The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour logo takes prominent position being embroidered onto the front headrests.
Powered by Land Rover's proven 2.2-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission, this iconic all-terrain vehicle also features a front winch, aluminium sump guard, side and rear steps, modified raised air intake and expedition rack, all complimented by striking Rugby World Cup 2015 graphics to the exterior. Vehicle spotlights illuminate the immediate surroundings like a floodlit pitch while the broader 16-inch off-road tyres give the Defender a purposeful and self-assured stance.
John Edwards, Managing Director for Jaguar Land Rover's Special Operations division, said: "It's been a privilege to work on this one-off Land Rover. The Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender is the perfect showcase for the ability of our Special Vehicle Operations division to make bespoke vehicles. From the illuminated Trophy cabinet at the back to its luxury interior, every aspect of this unique and special vehicle has been carefully engineered to provide the ultimate platform for the Webb Ellis Cup as it travels around the UK."
The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, around the UK and Ireland, reflects the Defender's legendary go anywhere, do anything character as it traverses countrywide to bring the Webb Ellis Cup to over 300 events in 100 days and engage with fans and players at all levels.
The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour in the UK and Ireland kicks off on June 10th and will culminate on 18th September at the Rugby World Cup 2015 Opening Ceremony at Twickenham Stadium. The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour Defender will continue to transport the Webb Ellis Cup throughout the Tournament, which takes place across 13 stadiums in the UK until the final on the 31st of October.