When you hear the name Land Rover, you are sure to think of all sorts of 4×4’s, but the famous British automaker has a history of going even bigger. Now, the 6×6 benchmark set in the 1980s is being resurrected and is going up for sale. This classic SUV is allowing enthusiasts to get their mitts on a fearsome, fully souped-up version of the Land Rover Defender 110 6×6. This ultra-rare Defender is a dream come true for those who want to see an even brawnier version of the company’s utility vehicles. The sales staff at Land Rover of North Dade, Florida tell us the SUV is produced by Classic Overland, a custom shop in Georgia with considerable experience with custom vehicles.
Developed initially as a specialist vehicle for the Australian Army during the ’80s, the Defender 110 6×6 proved to be a hit with everybody and was made available to consumers and other militaries, though briefly. The original Land Rover Defender was stashed in a fire station in South Africa where it was kept in impeccable shape during its time as an emergency vehicle. Designed to tow large loads of water over tough terrain, the Defender 110 was already powerful before it got into the hands of Classic Overland. Under their expertise, the vehicle has been taken up a notch. The Defender 110 now features a potent 6.2-liter V8 engine with 430 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. Most vehicles send power to either two or four-wheels, but the supped-up Defender sends power to all six-wheels. It has also been upgraded with a strengthened suspension, new wheels with all-terrain tires, a roll cage, and a snorkel exhaust.
Not content with just performance features, Classic Overland has added an intimidating, blacked-out aesthetic from top to bottom. The new styling extends to the cab’s interior, which is spruced up in all-black premium leather. There is a lot of space for passengers in the front, while the dash includes analog dials for the temperature and speedometer. The company has also talked about adding a single-din stereo system.
Land Rover has just recently launched the 2020 Land Rover Defender, and it has received rave reviews all around the world. One of the toughest off-roaders ever produced, Classic Overland, has taken the powerful vehicle and turned it into something extraordinary. The modified Defender, which the company is dubbing the “Black Mamba,” is a one-off model and is expected to be one of the most powerful and exclusive, off-road vehicles for purchase. Classic Overland has also stated that they will source and customize the Defender 110, inside and out, to your liking.
In specific ways, the Land Rover Defender already doesn’t have any competition, especially when its off-road capabilities are taken into consideration. The base engine is already robust with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 296 horsepower and an ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. The P400 versions include a 295 horsepower V6 engine and a 48-volt electrical system and a stop/start system. The new Black Mamba is set to surpass both of them, but only time will tell if it will become more popular.