Unique Land Rover Defender 90 Prototype Has $97,000 Worth of Upgrades, Looks Rad

First things first, this is a right-hand-drive model. The project started in the UK and is the result of Kahn's enhancement program. Since this gas-powered unit served as the basis of this comprehensive upgrade, it has also been put through its paces a bit. When writing, the 2022 model-year Defender has racked up around 11,000 miles on the odometer.

But auto companies rarely put their prototypes up for sale. That's what makes Chelsea Truck's unit an interesting proposition. At its core, the vehicle is a Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic. That translates into a British-made vehicle boasting a three-liter six-cylinder Ingenium engine pumping out 395 hp. The hybridized powerplant works with the eight-speed automatic transmission to enable a zero to 60 mph time of 5.7 seconds, which is also made possible by all-wheel drive.

In stock form, the vehicle rides on 20-inch wheels. It also has a blacked-out leather interior with 14-way electric, heated and cooled front seats, and illuminates the road with the help of adjustable LED headlights. Inside, there's also a sliding panoramic sunroof and a stylish rearview mirror with auto-dimming function.

The vehicle puts luxury into the spotlight with a punchy Meridian sound system, a great infotainment system (Pivi Pro), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a plethora of driver-assistance systems. In the US, all this and a lot more comes at a starting price of $68,400.

But after Kahn got their hands on the already imposing unit, the cost rose to $127,999 (£104,990) with the value-added tax (VAT) included. Is it worth it? Well, you decide! Here's what the price includes to transform this instantly recognizable machine into an even more eye-catching thing.

The Defender 90 received a headlight mask that enabled an even more aggressive front look, and the modified bumper added that extra spiciness. That amplified the overall warrior-like design. The carbon fiber hood and the LED light bar mounted on the roof show Khan focused on style but also on improving off-road utility. Overall, the new front end doesn't depart too much from the original design.

But in keeping the original design as a central focus point, "Prototype X" retains the most important traits and builds on top of a tried-and-tested recipe.

The upgrades also include a V-shaped roof spoiler, a new hard wheel cover, novel taillight surrounds, and, last but not least, carbon fiber fenders that allow this SUV to look more imposing than it already was.

The vehicle also received 22-inch matte black alloy wheels that boast a design that seems to have been inspired by Victorian architecture.

But probably the best addition is the Tiffany-inspired vegan leather interior that takes things to a whole other dimension by embedding luxury exactly where you'll spend most of the time – inside.

The only disappointing thing is that the vehicle is meant for right-hand drive markets like the UK, Australia, Japan, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.

However, how often can you put your hands on a prototype without having to spend insane amounts of money? It won't become an instant classic or rise in value dramatically over the years, but it'll still be a great thing to display at your local Cars&Coffee event once in a while.