Tata-owned Land Rover, the worldwide partner for the Rugby World Cup, has revealed the Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender – a modified 110 Station Wagon – created to transport the Webb Ellis Cup on the 100-day Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour across countries like UK and Ireland, delivered by England Rugby 2015.
The specially-modified 110 Defender Station Wagon was developed and built by the Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division at its headquarters at Oxford Road HQ in Ryton, UK.
Land Rover unveiled the vehicle in spectacular fashion at Tower Bridge in London where it emerged, from a giant rugby ball, driven by Land Rover Ambassador and Rugby World Cup 2003 winner, Lewis Moody. The 8.2m high ball floated 25 miles up the River Thames from Tilbury Dock on Thursday, passing iconic London landmarks such as the Thames Barrier and Canary Wharf along the way.
The focal point of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender is the bespoke Trophy cabinet to the rear of the vehicle. A one-of-a-kind Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender App has been developed specifically for the purpose of controlling the high-specification technology within the Trophy cabinet – making sure that conditions are just right. Lighting, temperature, the locking mechanism that secures the Webb Ellis Cup and the 40-inch flat-screen Toshiba television are all controlled through the App on a 10” Toshiba Windows Tablet which acts as the interface. The Trophy cabinet is also protected with toughened security glazing.
The passenger interior is based on the Defender Autobiography edition which features Black Windsor Leather seats 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. These are complimented by striking Rugby World Cup 2015 graphics to the exterior. Vehicle spot lights illuminate the immediate surroundings like a floodlit pitch while the broader 16” off-road tyres give the Defender a purposeful and self-assured stance.
The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour in the UK and Ireland kicks off on 10 June and will culminate on 18 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 31 October.
Perhaps this is all that England will get to see of the trophy! Just sayin’…
#Tata #TataMotors #Landrover #Defender #Rugby #WorldCup
