You're looking out the windscreen and the horizon is tilted up to 30 degrees to the right; five degrees from a complete flip. Your weight is slanted in the same direction with only the seatbelt holding you in place. Carefully, you apply pressure on the accelerator, and the vehicle cruises forward steadily. Nothing about its operation gives away the odd angle it's currently holding.
A global competition inviting participants from more than 50 countries to contest in a series of physical and driving obstacles. Stages demand precise manoeuvring under time pressure, yet also require tight collaboration as a team.
At the heart of it, the lean, mean, off-roading machine that is the Defender Trophy Edition. It's an exclusive that celebrates a new adventure competition, inspired by legendary off-road challenges. But this isn't new. Nor is it about being a skilled 4 x 4 driver.
For more than 70 years, Defender models have explored the world’s extremes. From humanitarian missions to remote expeditions, it has built a legacy defined by capability and resilience in all conditions that call for it. Now, this very legacy seeks to foster a new generation of pioneers ready to test their limits of the unknown.
Beyond competition, its commitment to responsible exploration is absolutely the why behind reviving this. The brand reinforces this from its partnership with long-standing conservation partner Tusk, dedicated to protecting wildlife and ecosystems in Africa.
In this inaugural mission, GoPro Global Training Manager Ron Ng and Professional Mountain Biker Charles Murray emerged as the finalists representing Singapore and New Zealand respectively. Both embraced the impossible in the two-day Asia Pacific Defender Trophy Qualification in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
A total of 24 participants across Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and New Zealand navigated both team-based and individual challenges. Each designed to reflect the ethos of forging camaraderie in a crucible of tough moments.
Ng and Murray will eventually join the Global Final in Africa later this year. An apt destination as it is home to Tusk; once again fortifying the brand's belief in preserving the environments in which it operates.
"I trusted the machine; it breezed through all terrain with ease," Ng effused, "Just based on my experience driving it for the first time, I feel super confident that if this is the car I'm going to take on an adventure, it's definitely going to take care of me out there."
We can attest to this; having had our go during the Asia Pacific Defender Media Experience, the enhanced Defender range proves composed, capable, and unflinching even in the most demanding conditions.
At the heart of it is the model that encapsulates this spirit of endurance and control. When you're practically nosediving into a bed of mud, the Defender gently guides you in despite an instant release of the foot brake. Driving on logs manually tied by participants (part of the listed challenges, naturally) felt no different from advancing on stable ground. The car does not drift; a tendency for vehicles in the same class.
Needless to say, it outperforms in its terrain response modes; where advanced off-road technologies boosts adept rugged handling. Grass/Gravel/Snow reduces wheel slip on low-friction surfaces; while Mud & Ruts intuitively maintains through uneven ones. Wade adjusts systems for deep water crossing up to 900mm depth; and personal favourite Rock Crawl rolls with low-speed control and maximised traction. All this on top of a configurable setting.
Furnished in two heritage colours; Deep Sandglow Yellow as a reinterpretation of the hue Defenders used on international Trophy-style events, and Keswick Green in tribute to rural grounds of Defender's UK homeland.
The look contrasts Gloss Black finish on the bonnet, lower bodyside, brake calipers and rear recovery eyes. Also on the 20-inch alloy All-Terrain Tyres, Wheelarch Protection, additionally featuring a Dark Rear Scuff Plate and Black front undershield. Not least, complete with Trophy decals, badging and illuminated treadplates to set the special edition model apart from the inside-out.
From the moment the Defender got involved with its boxy silhouette and indomitable engineering, its presence was undeniable in the 4 x 4 competition which Defender Trophy honours today.
Across Borneo, Tanzania to Siberia, the range of competition grounds was staggering. Momentum gained as competitors were drawn from an international pool, all armed to conquer rainforests, swamps, deserts and frozen tundra.
More than two decades since, the same spirit of endurance, purpose and discovery is retold in a modern format.
"I came here with an open mind, taking the spirit to have fun and make friends," Ng concludes at his win, "Staying in a metropolitan city; this was such a great opportunity to get out and hang out in nature, which is something that I love. Now I'm going to Africa? I honestly did not expect any of this to happen."
We suspect, as he looks out of the windscreen to an expansive view of the African lands come October, at whatever angle is thrown at him and wherever the journey leads, the Defender will take him on an adventure of a lifetime, with purpose.
Discover more about the Defender Trophy Competition and the enhanced Defender range, and the Defender 110 Trophy Edition.
