Skip to main content

An LS3-powered Defender? Urban Truck’s Ultimate RS has a British body, American heart

Urban Truck is a U.K. tuner that specializes in aftermarket editions of the Land Rover Defender, and its newest iterant is powered by the LS3 V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette.

Thanks, globalization.

Truth be told, the Ultimate RS Defender looks a bit rough around the edges. The Momo steering wheel and Recaro Sportster seats inside would look more at home on a tuned Honda Civic than a big British 4×4.

From the outside, though, the Ultimate RS is absolutely menacing. It wears a black on black color scheme that includes slick 18’’ alloys, carbon fiber vents, and a custom front grill. In fact, just about the only exterior components that aren’t jet black are the indicators and the RS badge up front.

This is the Ultimate RS after all, so Urban Truck has added lowering sport springs, a Bilstein damper kit, and anti roll bars to improve performance. The American 6.2-liter engine is offered in various states of tune, ranging from 430 horsepower to a whopping 500 ponies. No matter the output, the LS3 is hooked up to a twin-piped stainless steel big bore exhaust.

Looking past the boy racer accents inside, the cabin is pretty impressive. The dashboard and steering column have been fitted with fine Nappa leather, and on the center console, you’ll find a trick electronic gear selector.

A Corvette-powered Defender may sound like a unique creation, but fellow U.K. outfit Wildcat has an LS3-equipped 4×4 of its own.

It may be a bit tamer outside, but Wildcat’s version can be tweaked to produce 550 hp in total. Zombie apocalypse vehicles, you’ve got another contender.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
These new NASA EVs will drive astronauts part way to the moon (sort of)
NASA's new crew transportation electric vehicles.

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week. The zero-emission vehicles, which will carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions, were delivered by Canoo Technologies of Torrance, California. NASA/Isaac Watson

NASA has shown off a trio of new all-electric vehicles that will shuttle the next generation of lunar astronauts to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center.

Read more
5 upcoming EVs I’m excited for, from luxury SUVs to budget champions
Lotus Eletre

Almost every major automaker has released an EV by now -- or plans to soon -- and makers like Ford and Kia already have a variety to choose from. But if you haven't found one that's right for you yet, hang tight. There are dozens of announced electric car models that have yet to come out, and it's clear that the future of EVs is bright.

From longer range to lower prices, the next batch of EVs gives us plenty to get excited about. Here are five upcoming EVs that we can't wait to drive.
Volvo EX30

Read more
Tesla shows off first Cybertruck after two years of delays
The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility.

The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility. Tesla

Tesla has shown off the first Cybertruck to roll off the production line at its new Gigafactory plant in Austin, Texas.

Read more