MOTORING TWIST AND SHOUT

Born in Birmingham, modified in Yorkshire, the Twisted Defender T110 TVS is a leftfield alternative to a Mercedes-AMG G63. John Redfern drives it

Iand noisy, it felt like a constant physical battle. At the time, I hated it.

Since then, I have developed a much greater appreciation for the classic Defender, warts and all. It remains like little else on (or off) the road, and I appreciate why it has such a dedicated following.

Thirsk-based Twisted Automotive understands this enthusiasm, and has spent two decades striving to improve the classic Defender without eroding its charm. This includes the option of a (London ULEZ-compliant) 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, typically found under the bonnet of a Ford Mustang.

With 308hp and 350lb ft of torque, the new motor has a dramatic and hilarious effect on the Defender’s per-

Porsche

a standard Defender, the pace takes some adjusting to.

A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted, with the traditionally lengthy Defender gear shift and accompanying heavy clutch. Twisted is currently developing an automatic gearbox, but there is a real pleasure in the physical nature of using the manual.

As with the heavy steering, this is where Twisted has kept the quirks of the original Defender intact. Compared with a modern SUV, the TVS demands real effort and concentration to drive.

Twisted fits its own upgraded suspension kit to the T110. There are also huge six-calliper brakes at the front, with four-calliper stoppers at the rear. Like everything else, the brakes de-

PRICE: £186,000

ENGINE: 2.3 TURBO PETROL

POWER: 308HP

TORQUE: 350LB FT

GEARBOX: SIX-SPEED MANUAL

FUEL ECONOMY: N/A mand a physical effort, but they stop the Land Rover with ease. Such performance has not impacted upon the Defender’s off-road ability. Chunky BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber will work whatever the conditions, and the low-ratio transmission and differential lock are still fitted. This particular Twisted T110 is currently for sale, with a starting price of £155,000 plus VAT (£186,000). A lot of money for a classic Defender, you might rightly think, but the spec sheet for is as extensive as you would expect seats. There is extensive sound deadening and a touchscreen multimedia system with a reversing camera, plus Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility. Oh, and this Defender comes with a lockable gun safe that also has space for champagne flutes.

Twisted can offer a TVS engine conversion for an existing Land Rover more cheaply. Prices to add the 2.3-litre Ford engine to your own vehicle start at £46,500. Provided you can resist the temptation to dive further into the extensive range of tailored Twisted upgrades, that is.

Alternatively, there is also the potential to slot Twisted’s flagship TV8 General Motors-sourced 6.2-litre V8 engine under the bonnet, or go for a full electric conversion. For those with a to £190,000 on an old Land Rover is impossible to justify. A new MercedesAMG G63 costs around the same, and delivers even more ferocious performance.

That misses the point of what Twisted is doing, though. The company prides itself on being ‘anti-ordinary’, catering to those who don’t want to follow the obvious route and are committed to the classic Defender.

With the Defender TVS, Twisted has managed to retain the spirit and character of the original, but with a morethan-healthy dose of extra performance. There’s certainly no more hate from me here.

John

Redfern

writes for motoringresearch.com