Bowler off road

Bowler Off Road Ltd. is a British small series manufacturer specializing in all-terrain vehicles for competitive use . The company's designs are enjoying increasing popularity with private participants in the Dakar Rally and other rally raid events, as demonstrated by the increase in the number of participants with bowler vehicles from 8 in the 2004 Dakar Rally to 21 in 2006. The reasons for this are usually the comparatively low prices and the fact that no retrofitting is required for rally events.

history

In 1984 Bowler presented his first prototype based on the Land Rover Defender ; two years later he realized a customer vehicle which, in addition to the base, also had a wheelbase of 88 inches (approx. 2235 mm) in common with the prototype.

In the years that followed, this basic concept was further developed into various series models (see the models section ) with a stronger focus on motorsport . The company's first vehicle that deviates from this is the Bowler Nemesis , presented in 2006 , based on the Range Rover Sport .

Bowler Off Road was acquired by Jaguar Land Rover in December 2019 .

Models

88 ″ Tomcat

This model presented in 1989 marks the first series product from Bowler; it had already been designed for competition use. The number 88 in the name of this vehicle stands for its wheelbase, which is 88 inches.

100 ″ Tomcat

In 1995 this variant of the 88 ″ Tomcat with a 100 inch (2540 mm) wheelbase was developed. The aim of this measure was to improve driving stability at high speeds - at the expense of maneuverability.

Wildcat 100

Bowler Wildcat 200

In 1997, Bowler introduced the Wildcat 100, the first model to be registered as a new car. For the first time on the Wildcat 100, the stable but heavy ladder frame of the Land Rover Defender was replaced by a tubular space frame . The 100-inch wheelbase of the 100 ″ Tomcat was retained, but the new frame construction made the vehicle lighter.

Wildcat 200

This model was presented in 2000 and, like its predecessors, is largely based on the Land Rover Defender and, in addition to the version approved for regular road traffic, is offered with special modifications for certain motorsport classes and events.

In detail these are:

• Wildcat 200 Rally Raid
• Wildcat 200 European Baja
• Wildcat 200 Dakar

The wheelbase of the Wildcat 200 is 106 inches (approx. 2692 mm). As with its predecessor, the central element of this model is a tubular space frame on which a body made of composite materials rests. Land Rover V8 units with 4.0 and 4.6 liter cubic capacities are used as engines; a 5.0 liter variant was in the test phase in January 2007. The 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine (designation: TD5), also from Land Rover, is offered for the Bowler Wildcat 200. For the gasoline engines, Bowler offers performance increases in four stages. Front and rear axle constructions of the Wildcat 200 come from the Land Rover Discovery S11.

Nemesis

Bowler nemesis

The Nemesis is the newest model from Bowler (as of January 2007). It is based on the Range Rover Sport. Two petrol units are used as engines: a 4.4-liter naturally aspirated engine and a turbocharged 4.2-liter variant.

EXR

The EXR is a further development of the Nemesis and was introduced in 2010. It has a 5.0 l V8 engine and, like its predecessor, meets the requirements of the FIA T1 class . For the first time, a version for everyday use is also available under the name EXR S. The EXR S has comfort details such as two-zone air conditioning, leather seats, remote control keys and, optionally, no roll cage .

Web links

Commons : Bowler Off Road  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

• The company's website (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/jaguar-land-rover-buys-performance-4x4-firm-bowler