Ever the victim of aggressive personalization, the Defender is still trendy because of how impractical and hilariously uncomfortable it is to drive. The mechanicals for Kahn ’s extreme makeover stay the same as the stock model, aside from some light engine enhancements to the 2.2 L turbo diesel and of course the giant wheel/tire/spring package.
These vehicles are part of a new co-branding effort between Kahn Design and the Chelsea Truck Company. Forming what must be the most absurdly wordy name in history, the truck is best referred to as the Chelsea Defender. Offered in the 90 or 110 inch body styles, the Chelsea Defender offers some tasteful and some not-so-tasteful ways for customers to part with their cash.
Cynicism about modified Defenders is possible only from afar. Driving a Defender is still a strange treat off road, but its rude manners on pavement mean that owners have little choice: they must try to engineer improvements themselves via the aftermarket.
A fun competitor might be the Nissan Murano CrossCarbiolet - but sadly, the convertible Defender is not one of the five body styles offered for this legendary truck’s designer up-fit.
The exterior makeover for the Chelsea Defender is actually pretty light compared with the multiple other design shops who offer full Defender revamps, such as the Twisted Defender that can be had with a gurgling Chevy V8 up front.
The main up-fit items include a handsome set of matching stainless steel mesh vent plates for the grille, hood and front wings. These pair with a front and rear pack of wheel flares with integrated vents and some chunky bolt cutouts. These wider fenders and flares protect the body of the car from the much-larger 16 inch wheels with high profile knobby tires. (For DIY guys: be sure to apply rust-proof paint seal to the front and back sides of any holes drilled in the body when mounting fenders.)
All of these component additions are outlined in the gallery below in technical drawings from the company. The concept of adding a full additional wing panel on top of the metal is unusual versus American Jeep and off-road enthusiasts - who are more eager to actually strip the fenders away to allow huge mud/sand tires.
The reinforced plastic panels do bring long-term scratch protection to the body sides underneath, and their satin matte finish creates a special Defender image. Painted flares are offered in other packages, including the handsome Fuji White Chelsea Defender .
This stainless mesh grille looks quite cheap and frail to some eyes, and will likely be replaced by Kahn’s cool new X-Lander front grille (also in photo gallery at bottom of page).
Numerous wheel and LED upgrades are available on the outside of the Kahn Defender, but the prices are pretty high versus procuring and installing the aftermarket components yourself.
2013 Kahn Design - Chelsea Defender 90 Wide Track - Exterior Features:
-1948 Defend alloy Wheels in satin Black - 8x16 Fitted with 235x85x16-inch tires
-Choice of Crosshair military or Diamond military Headlamps Brake Calipers - painted (available in a Choice of Colors)
-Bonnet Vents with mesh - stainless steel, Front grille with mesh - stainless steel, Headlamp grilles with mesh - stainless steel
-Front Bumper Lighting
-Front Bumper sump guard - aluminum
-Chelsea Truck Company spare Wheel Cover
-Extended Wheel arches in Choice of satin Finishes: Front and Rear Wide Track Wings with integrated Vents and Bolt apertures
-Twin Crosshair exhaust system including exhaust shields - stainless steel
-Mud Flaps - toughened rubber
-Chelsea truck Company spare Wheel Cover
-Exterior - Kahn enamel Wing Badges
-Manual adjustable exterior mirrors
-Perimetric and Volumetric sensing alarm with immobilization
-Windscreen Wash/Wipe system (intermittent Function), Rear Wash Wiper
The interior of all Defenders is a real throwback to before cars had crash structures and any safety features in their dashboard and mechanical configuration. Instead, Defender driver’s sit high up with their legs outward on the high floor. A Kahn single-spoke steering wheel replaces the ghastly original Land Rover wheel, which looks like it is from a city bus.
Kahn is quite proud of their extensive Harris Tweed and quilted leather choices, but to an outsider’s eye, the bespoke seats seem like a strange match for an off-road car. At least tweed is warm in the winter, but neither is easy to clean.
The standard amenities from the Defender carry through, including a defroster in back and a few other basics. The stereo system head unit and speaker performance is appalling at these prices - offering a single aftermarket head unit design that might be from Best Buy or stolen from a Honda Civic somewhere.
The back seats can fold down, but sitting there looks miserable with a giant floor hump in your pelvis and knees banging against your chin. A sliding window at least will let you hang your head out the window like a puppy dog.
2013 Kahn Design - Chelsea Defender 90 Wide Track - Interior Features:
-Key ring - Quilted Leather with enamel Kahn Logo
-Front sports GTB seats and rear folding seats
-Leather with Harris Tweed or alcantara
-Passenger Dashboard top and grab handle in Harris Tweed
-Instrument Binnacle in Harris Tweed
-Knee protectors in Harris Tweed
-Roof grab Handle Covers in Harris Tweed
-Rear Door panel Cover and Handle in Harris Tweed
-Centre glove Box in Quilted and perforated Leather
-Single spoke steering Wheel - Leather
-Churchill time Clock Facia
-Rev Counter Dial in red
-Vented Foot pedals in machined aluminum - Kahn Branded
-Fire extinguisher (x2) - Kahn Branded
-Hard Wearing Front and rear Cabin Floor mats
-Cold Climate pack: electric front windows and heated rear screen glass
-Remote Central Locking
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