Land Rover features Defender in James Bond’s Skyfall

It doesn’t seem like James Bond is that old, but Land Rover is celebrating 50 years of the British spy in the new movie Skyfall. Land Rover will be displaying one of the Land Rover Defenders used in the new motion picture at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The Double Cab pick up, will be driven in the opening sequence by field agent Eve (played by Naomie Harris), and will be shown on the Land Rover stand during the second press day on Friday Sept, 28th.

Jaguar Land Rover will have 77 total vehicles available for the new James Bond film for support and to used on-screen. Besides the Land Rover Defender, the 2013 Range Rover and Jaguar XJ will be also used on-screen and as production support vehicles.

Speaking at Pinewood Studios, where the James Bond move Skyfall was filmed, Co-Producer Andrew Noakes, a veteran of 11 James Bond films, said: "Bond is quintessentially British and Jaguar and Land Rover are two of the most established and globally recognized British brands, so it was a natural step for us to involve them in the film."

The Land Rover Defender is recognized around the globe for its rugged go-anywhere design and the new Range Rover is the “pinnacle of SUV luxury and capability.” The British automaker was of course honored to have their vehicles in the upcoming Bond film. The Land Rover Defender gets a prominent role in the opening scene.

Substantial improvements were made to the Defender last year, including introduction of the  EU5 2.2-liter diesel engine, ventilated discs, detail improvements to the interior and new option packs to the 'S' and 'SE' trim levels. The The smaller 2.2-liter diesel replaced the 2.4-liter diesel in 2012 matching it for power, torque and fuel consumption.

The diesel engine is mated to a GFT MT 82 six-speed gearbox with a high top gear for the famous James Bond chase scenes and low-speed crawling capability for off-road escapes.

Look for the Land Rover Defender to makes its appearance in the new James Bond movie Skyfall here in the U.S. November 9, 2012.

Source: Land Rover