Taking a British icon to the next level.
The Land Rover Defender is arguably one of the most iconic British vehicles ever produced. It has forever left its mark on the off-road and SUV marketplace, shaping the way vehicles were built years after it hit the dirt. With the original Defender model heading for retirement at the end of 2015, the team at A Kahn Design will ensure that its legacy lives on with the new Kahn Coach Built Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose Defender.
The new Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose Defender will include four different model variants and a total of four different engines – two gasoline and two diesel. Both two- and four-door models are planned, each with an extra 400 mm of bodywork into the elongated nose cone prior to the windshield along with a longer wheelbase, hence the “105” name.
The end of the classic Land Rover Defender helped to inspire the new Kahn Coach Built model to be produced, especially with CEO and Creative Director, Afzal Kahn.
“The Defender is probably the most iconic and well-loved British vehicle in existence – I believe even more so than the Mini.” said Kahn. “The fact that Land Rover are retiring it is an absolute tragedy – it’s one of my top three all-time favorite vehicles.”
“With the 105 Longnose I set out to create something fashionable, iconic and revolutionary which carries on the spirit of the Defender. These days it’s not what you wear, it’s what you drive. It’s a truly British icon in the same way the Wrangler is to the US, the G-Class to Germany or the Land Cruiser L70 to Japan. It’s instantly recognizable – if you saw one on the Moon, you’d know it was a Defender.”
The classic British design and purposeful character that was so iconic in the original Defender will be echoed with the new Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose Defender. A tougher, more rugged design with a square-sectioned wide arch body kit, redesigned silhouette, and new bopdywork will be instantly recognizable and capable in any situation.
“We are keeping the project as British as possible by coach building the vehicle in the UK. We will source new vehicles which will undergo a total re-build with a number of elements and mechanical features refined and upgraded in order to withstand the speed and finesse associated with the Huntsman.”
Under the hood of the Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose Defender is a 6.2-liter GM LS3 V-8 engine producing approximately 400-450 bhp, mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with push-button controls. A beefed up suspension and upgraded braking system ensures that the coachbuilt model stays true to its “Flying” name and can go anywhere on- or off-road with speed. As of now, A Kahn Design is currently in talks with engine manufacturers for 3.0- and 6.2-liter gasoline engines as well as 3.2- and 4.6-liter diesel motors.
The new 105 Longnose Defender is the first of the planned line of retro classic models based on the Land Rover Defender by A Kahn Design, with future plans including a 6 x 6 model, a four-door model with even longer wheelbase, and even B4 and B6 armored variants along with a rumored B7 variant for maximum protection and security.
The new Kahn Coach Built Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose Defender will make its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The SUV will be built entirely in the UK and pricing is expected to be approximately £125,000 plus VAT.
Source: A Kahn Design
Are you excited about the long-wheelbase Flying Huntsman 105 Longnose Defender?
