Bowler EXR S is one extreme Land Rover

By Stephen Edelstein Published June 22, 2012

Land Rovers are known for their go-anywhere capability and British nobility-levels of luxury, but they are not too well known in the world of racing. Since 1985, Bowler Motorsport has been trying to change that. The company’s rally racers have always been based on Land Rovers; its newest model, the EXR S, is no different.

Looking at the EXR S, the headlights and grille from a Range Rover Sport are instantly recognizable, but the rest of the car is not. The EXR S sits on a much shorter wheelbase, making it easier to fling around corners. Vents and ducts were added to cool the brakes and dampers, and the wheel arches were widened. Underneath the truncated body is a hydro-formed chassis and a tubular roll cage made of high strength steel.

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The EXR S definitely looks like a rally car, and it has plenty of power under the hood to back up those looks. Power comes from the Range Rover Sport’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which has been remapped to make 550 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

The engine is harnessed to a six-speed automatic transmission, which can be shifted manually via paddle shifters. Bowler says the EXR S will accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) in 4.2 seconds, and keep going until it hits the electronic limiter at 155 mph.

Since the EXR S is a rally car, it needs some serious suspension. Bowler fitted it with fully independent suspension, which has 285 mm of travel. At the end of the suspension’s custom Bilstein dampers are massive 22” wheels.

To stop, the EXR S uses a set of Brembo brakes: 360 mm discs and 6-piston calipers in front; 340 mm discs and 4-piston calipers in the rear.

The spec sheet may look pretty serious, but the EXR S is actually designed for road use. Unlike Bowler’s other rally cars, it gets convenience features like climate control, central locking, and optional heated leather seats. For owners that get bored while driving their 550 hp rally cars, there is also an entertainment system with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth.

The EXR S is a capable machine, and its price tag reflects that. The newest Bowler will go on sale in England after its Goodwood Festival of Speed debut for £155,000, or about $240,000.

The EXR S also marks the beginning of a new partnership between Land Rover and Bowler. The two companies have always collaborated, but now they are making it official. The “Powered by Land Rover” program will give Bowler easy access to drivetrains and spare parts. The EXR S will wear a “Powered by Land Rover” badge, in case there was any doubt about its origins.

Land Rovers are all about off-road prowess, and Bowler just makes them better (and faster). If this new partnership produces more cars like the EXR S, then it will definitely be a match made in Heaven.

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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