Bowler Turns the Land Rover Defender Into a Rally Racing SUV

by Gabrielle DeSantis

British motorsports company Bowler is well-known in the classic Land Rover world for its racing expertise. And in 2019, it became a part of Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations tuning division. Since then, though, the only product Bowler’s revealed is a continuation of the classic Defender—at least, until now. That’s because the tuner is taking the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 rallying in its own dedicated series.

Bowler resurrects the Land Rover Defender Challenge rally racing series

Bowler classic Land Rover Defender Challenge kit side | Bowler

Land Rover and Bowler have enjoyed a strong relationship even before the former purchased the latter. The two formed a partnership back in 2012 that eventually spawned the Defender Challenge by Bowler series. This rally racing series ran from 2014-2016, and as the name suggests, was only open to Defenders. The ‘old’ Land Rover Defenders, we should clarify, rather than the redesigned 2021 Defender.

Speaking of, while it’s not a body-on-frame SUV like its predecessor, the 2021 Land Rover Defender has already proven its on- and off-road capability. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that Bowler would want to rally it. And that’s exactly what the tuner is doing with the relaunched Defender Challenge series.

Like the 2014-2016 edition, the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge series is limited to Defenders only. As of this writing, specific race dates and locations haven’t been released. However, Bowler says the series will feature seven events spread out over the UK. And prior off-road racing experience isn’t required, Autoblog says.

What makes the Bowler Land Rover Defender Challenge different from the standard Defender 90?

An orange-and-white and green-and-white 2022 Bowler Land Rover Defender 90 Challenge racer on a wet airstrip
2022 Bowler Land Rover Defender 90 Challenge racers | Bowler

While the standard 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 is a true off-roader, it’s also a luxury road-going crossover. Getting it ready for rally racing, therefore, required a bit of modification.

One thing that wasn’t modified was the powertrain, Roadshow says. Like the standard Land Rover Defender 90, the Bowler Challenge SUV has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That power goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system with a two-speed transfer case. The only new part is a racing exhaust and a raised intake, Top Gear reports.

The racing seats, roll cage, and dashboard of a 2022 Bowler Land Rover Defender 90 Challenge
2022 Bowler Land Rover Defender 90 Challenge interior | Bowler

But while the powertrain is essentially stock, the rest of the Challenge-prepped Land Rover Defender 90 isn’t. Bowler stripped the interior and installed an FIA-spec roll cage with an integral spare-wheel mount and two racing seats with six-point harnesses. The A/C and touchscreen are still there, though. However, they’re joined by a fire suppression system, electrical cut-offs, and additional lighting and vehicle-system controls. Bowler also repositioned the Defender 90’s transmission lever and installed carbon-fiber shift paddles, sliding polycarbonate side windows, and a removable steering wheel.

On the outside, the Bowler Challenge Defender lacks door sills due to the full-length aluminum skid plates. Bowler also reinforced the Land Rover Defender 90’s subframes, transmission and radiator mounts, and chassis. It added custom Fox Racing shocks, too, adding an extra 0.98” of ride height. Also, the Challenge Defender has rally-spec 18” wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich AT tires.

On top of that, Bowler removed the Land Rover Defender 90’s auxiliary radiators. In their place is a new bumper with improved airflow and additional lights. The new rear spoiler adds extra lights, too. And because of all the suspension, wheel, and tire upgrades, Bowler also reprogrammed the Defender’s ABS and stability control, Autoblog notes.

Can you get the racing-spec SUV in the US?

With a starting price of roughly $139K, a Bowler-prepped Land Rover Defender Challenge isn’t cheap. For comparison, a base 2021 Defender 90 starts at $47,700. However, you get more than just the SUV for that price, Top Gear says. That $139K also gets you an entry into the Challenge series as well as support for you and the SUV. And if you don’t have any experience, Bowler will help you earn your racing license.

If you want to hit the dirt, though, you’ll have to act fast. The first race kicks off in March 2022 and Bowler says the series only has 12 spots. And it doesn’t appear that Land Rover will offer the Defender Challenge to US buyers. At least, not initially.

Roadshow claims that the Challenge series serves “as a testbed for the Defender before it competes in global rally-raid events.” So, at some point in the future, a racing-spec Defender could show up at a US rally race. But if you don’t want to wait that long, you’ll have to take an extended UK vacation.

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The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Is Officially Going After the Ford Raptor

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’ve been keeping an eye on the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 to see if it’s going to go big or if it should stay home. Now it’s official. This new Chevrolet Silverado off-roading truck is definitely going big! 

The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 will threaten rivals 

2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 badge | Chevrolet

It’s about time Chevy heats up the competition among beastly off-roading trucks. The Ford Raptor and the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX have been stealing the show for months while Chevy has been sitting on the bench. 

But the 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 could change the game. We didn’t know if it would incorporate lighter off-roading upgrades like the Trail Boss or Ford F-150 FX4 package, but now significant upgrades have been confirmed. 

What to expect with the Silverado ZR2 

The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 is taking pages from the Chevy Colorado ZR2’s playbook. Chevy released a teaser for the off-roading truck that’s for those who love the mud. The video mentions that we will learn more about this truck in the fall, so we don’t have to wait much longer! 

Rumors suggest that the Silverado ZR2 has been spotted on massive 35-inch rugged, all-terrain tires. Newly upgraded underbody skidplates and have been seen as well. They are similar to what’s found on the Raptor and Ram TRX. 

Based on the 2022 Colorado ZR2, we can speculate that the Silverado ZR2 will be designed to offer exceptional performance from technical rock-crawling and tight two-track trails to high-speed desert running and daily driving. 

You can expect a two-inch factory-installed lift along with front and rear electronically locking differentials. The Silverado ZR2 is also expected to gain the Colorado ZR2’s segment-exclusive Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) damper technology. 

The Colorado features a Rear Vision camera, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, trailer sway control, and hill-start assist. The Silverado will probably feature a few tech upgrades, such as a 360-degree surround-view camera, hill descent control, and new off-roading modes. 

How much power will the 2022 Silverado ZR2 have? 

A silver 2020 Chevrolet Silverado Custom Trail Boss driving
2020 Chevrolet Silverado Custom Trail Boss | Chevrolet

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX has a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The 2021 Ford Raptor features a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It also has a more powerful V8 on the way for 2022. 

The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 could arrive with the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, which would be a little disappointing. But the 2022 Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss gets the 3.0-liter Duramax I-6 engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. 

But the 4.3-liter V6 and the 5.3-liter V8 engines are both being dropped for 2022. This could mean that new engine options are on the way to replace them. But we might not receive any more updates until the ZR2 debuts this fall. 

The new Silverado ZR2 is expected to undercut the price of the Ram TRX with an MSRP that’s around $60,000. This will make it closer to the Ford Raptor’s price. But the 2022 Ford Raptor R and more powerful Silverado could raise the bar.

RELATED: The 2022 Chevy Silverado is Finally Receiving Interior Upgrades

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4 Midsize Trucks With the Highest Towing Capacity in 2021, According to TrueCar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are many great midsize trucks, and they’re all unique in their own ways. Most people can only buy one or two cars, so it’s helpful to look at a comparison among models. For those who are looking to buy a midsize truck, here’s a look at the four that have the highest towing capacity in this model year.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma

2021 Toyota Tacoma | 2021 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The midsize truck segment isn’t the biggest segment, but it is growing. Regardless, TrueCar looked at seven midsize trucks available in the U.S. and ranked them by towing capacity. The three trucks that didn’t get to the top four were the Honda Ridgeline, the Jeep Gladiator, and the Nissan Frontier.

The truck that landed in fourth place was the Tacoma. This workhorse of a Toyota is well-known and very popular for many reasons. One of them is its capabilities. As TrueCar said, it can tow up to 6,800 pounds, which is enough to land it in fourth place.

The Tacoma doesn’t do well performance-wise, but at least it’s a reliable truck. Furthermore, since it costs about $27,500, it’s about average as far as price.

The 2021 Ford Ranger

Ford’s recently revived Ranger is as capable as ever. It’s one of the most affordable brand-new pickup trucks right now with a price of about $26,300. Like the F-150, the Ranger isn’t a slouch as far as capabilities go. The Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds. That’s significantly more than what the Tacoma can do.

Unlike the Tacoma, the Ranger’s engine is pretty good. The Ranger has a 2.3-liter turbo charged I4, and it provides about 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is roughly the same amount of horsepower that the Tacoma’s V6 gets, but significantly more torque. TrueCar said that the Ranger’s engine was “smooth and powerful.” 

In comparison, TrueCar wrote that Tacoma’s V6 “lacks performance and efficiency.” As far as efficiency goes, it’s not a big deal since they’re both trucks, but the Ranger’s I4 does provide a better fuel economy. TrueCar said that the Ranger gets 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on highways. The Tacoma gets 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on highways.

The 2021 GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado

The GMC Canyon and the Chevy Colorado were in first and second place. Since GM makes both trucks, they are both largely the same. GM allowed GMC and Chevy to change things up a bit, in addition to the obvious branding differences. According to TrueCar, the Colorado cost over $1,000 less than the Canyon. The Canyon has “a more premium look and high-end features.“

The Colorado starts at about $26,400, while the Canyon starts at around $28,000. This means that the Colorado is slightly more expensive than the Ranger, while the Canyon has a more average price tag. Since they’re both made by GM, they both have the same engine options. According to TrueCar, the Canyon and the Colorado can tow up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped.

The performance ultimately depends on the engine. Their max towing capacity comes courtesy of GM’s turbodiesel engine. GM also offers a V6 option, and while it’ll tow a bit less, it’ll offer a lot more horsepower than the turbo diesel.

RELATED: 5 Pickup Trucks That Can Also Be Used for Your Daily Commute

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Does Your Car Really Need a Skid Plate?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Skid plate, skid tray, splash guard, whatever you want to call it. It’s a line of defense between the undercarriage of your car and the road. Things like the oil pan, oil filter, and even the engine itself are protected by a piece of sheet metal. But in the event of an accident, either driving over a curb or plowing into a pothole (we’ve all done it), does the skid plate protect your car? Does keeping it on make maintaining your car harder? And can you live without it?

Jeep Goes Off Roading | George Rose/Getty Images

If you’re offroading, you absolutely need a skid plate

If you blaze trails, you’re better off protecting your car’s vital organs. Not just from rocks that can scrape the underbelly of your car, but from dirt getting lodged between the cracks. In fact, skid plates might not be enough for the harsh conditions.

With the possibility of bottoming out, a skid plate helps make sure your car doesn’t rest on the important bits. And not only that, rocks can be kicked up and into the engine bay, damaging delicate parts. Water can drown the engine components, and dust can clog up the system in general. So it’s best to keep a skid plate on if you’re offroading, even if your car’s ground clearance is high. Just be prepared.

If you’re driving through the city, it depends on road conditions

Cars Driving In The City
Cars Driving In The City | Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto

Most highways and interstates won’t be covered in cracks. If your daily driving takes you down well-maintained roads, having a skid plate doesn’t do all that much for you. Sure, it’s an added layer of defense from the elements, as little rocks can still ping off the oil pan, but if you get rid of it or it comes off, it’s not the end of the world.

That said, if you live anywhere that’s riddled with potholes or constantly under construction, keeping it on makes sure that uneven pavement doesn’t cause any long-term damage. The same goes for loose pavement and gravel which, while I wouldn’t consider offroading, could cause some of the same problems. Dust flying around and rocks banging into the metal isn’t an ideal combination. So use proper judgment when deciding if you really need it or not.

If you work on your own car, you can do with a skid plate.

Car Getting Oil Change
Car Getting An Oil Change | Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images

My bias while writing this article may show, as I personally don’t drive with a skid plate. I’d tell you the whole story, but it’s long, so I’ll sum it up: I hopped my car over a curb, the skid plate scraped on the concrete and tore right off. No damage was done to the oil pan, oil filter, or even the bumper. But the skid plate was sheered off, and in order to put a new one on I’d have to take off my front bumper. After that, I’d need a new mount, which runs me about $300 bucks (if I do it myself). In other words, it’s too expensive to fix, and I can live without it

But from a practicality standpoint, not having a skid plate makes oil changes and general maintenance that much easier. Rather than having to remove it and reinstall it every time, you just go about your job. So if you work on your own vehicle, and you drive on regular, smooth roads, you can save yourself some trouble by just getting rid of the thing. But if you’d rather have it as an extra safety net, or because you don’t know how to remove it, there’s no harm in leaving it on either.

RELATED: Can a Car Cover Damage a Car’s Paint?

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