For many off-roading enthusiasts there is
nothing more supreme a terrain-conqueror than a Hummer H1. For the rest, it is
the Land Rover Defender which takes that seat. But we really doubt how fast
these two mud-pluggers can go around a broken track of earth. They'll get the
job done for sure. Not with excitement or panache, but with purpose. What if we
need some speed thrills along the way? Well, then you are shopping in the wrong
store and checking the wrong catalogue. You must be ready to place your bills
on a rally-prepped car then. But aren't they souped-up versions of family
sedans and hatchbacks? Not your type? We kind of knew that already. So allow us
to lead you to the machine which you should buy.
Bowler
Nemesis EXR-S - Fast Bowler
Indeed, it looks a lot like a Range Rover
which has lost its rear doors. But the Bowler Nemesis EXR-S is more than just a
short wheelbase British SUV. Alright Tata bought Land Rover, but it's still
very much British. Back to the car, it is built by Bowler Offroad, a small
manufacturer which has set up shop in the village of Hazelwood, Derbyshire,
which is in the United Kingdom. For the past few years, the Boffins here have
been behind the construction of rally raid winners based on Land Rover and
Range Rover chassis. After launching the highly successful Wildcat which was
based on the Defender, they went on to release the Nemesis based on the Rangie.
The EXR-S is the tamer version of the brutal force of nature which the
rally-going Nemesis EXR is.
The
EXR-S is the tamer version of the brutal force of nature which the rally-going
Nemesis EXR is.
Upfront it's all Range Rover with the
bi-xenon headlamps and a fascia that reminds one of David C. and his infamous
jaw. The grille has been retained too. As we walk to the back, we'll notice the
shortened wheelbase and the missing rear doors. Unlike the raid and rally
version, the EXR-S has got rear glass windows which also add to the visibility.
The rear end has borrowed a lot from the donor car with the tail lights of the
Rangie slotted right where they used to belong and so does the tailgate -
another discovery from the donor car's parts bin. The massive fenders and
extensive cooling ductwork make it stand out and so is the hood with the horizontal
slit running across it. The cooling ducts and the gills on the side are other
attention-grabbers to keep your eyes glued to.
Upfront
it's all Range Rover with the bi-xenon headlamps and a fascia that reminds one
of David C. and his infamous jaw.
The interior is a total surprise. If you
expected the EXR-S to be Spartan with a cluster of dials and LED displays that
show data which most of us are too dumb to figure out, you are so wrong. The
interior is meant for someone who gives priority to simplicity and elegance
while going off-road. Yes, the FIA-approved roll- cage, body-hugging racing
seats and three-point seat belts are there for good effect. And you can even
opt for six-point harnesses and rally intercoms. But in its standard form, the
interiors are comfortable. It even has the dashboard from the Rangie thrown in
with aluminum and carbon fiber inserts which makes it look quite impressive as
a living space. There are more features in place which makes it evident that
the EXR-S is meant for those who would choose to live with it on a daily basis.
Keyless ignition with remote central locking, dual climate control, heated
mirrors and heated front/rear screens and a lightweight Pioneer head unit
(Bluetooth, iPhone-compatible) with six-speaker Pioneer stereo - this is an
everyday car which you may even find yourself driving to work. And yourself
driving to work. And you can even pack in the tent and hiking gear into the
boot (it has one) when you take off to the mountains for camping during the
weekend.
The
interior is a total surprise.
Popping the engine bay, you'll find that it
is powered by a supercharged and remapped 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 550
horse-power and 700 pound-feet of torque. The EXR-S uses a six-speed automatic
gearbox with paddle shifters to transfer the force to all four wheels. It
weighs less than two tones even with all the reinforcements and strengthening
which has gone into its chassis. The considerably low weight helps when the war
machine takes on the terrain which it is meant to conquer. The EXR-S
accelerates from 0 to 92kph in 4.2 seconds which might run shivers down a
handful of sports cars and mind you, those things won't endure even a minute of
the terrain which the Bowler tackles with ease. Top speed has been limited to
250kph. Six piston Brembos leash the front wheels and four piston Brembos bite
the back when the time comes to pull the SUV over for a stop or a slick drift,
whichever you deem right at the given moment. There is a choice of wheels that
you can pick from. 20 or 22 inchers with high performance tires don't just lend
it the stance and attitude of a wild beast ready to pounce. They also make the
EXR-S easy to tame for the driver. The suspension setup is the same as that of
the raid car but it employs a set of bespoke Bilstein dampers and Eibach
springs to make it more suited for non-competitive off-road and on-road use.
Less broken bones and twisted spines in simpler terms. But if you would like to
have frequent visits to your pretty Orthopaedist, you can ask these guys to
bolt on competition springs on to the chassis. They'd be glad to do it for you
at a premium.
It
weighs less than two tones even with all the reinforcements and strengthening
which has gone into its chassis.
Built like a tank to go like a fighter jet,
the Bowler Nemesis EXR-S isn't cheap. Retailing for a jaw-dropping price tag of
$236,000, it costs more than a handful of supercars. It is expensive. But see
the brighter side here, it's faster than many road-huggers, quicker than some supercars,
stronger and better-built than all of them and you can take it anywhere you
want and come back without a scratch. And when you grow out of the mud-plugging
phase of your life, you can sell it off at a decent price too. The resale value
for these things is considered to be surprisingly good. But we wonder how many
will be willing to part with the EXR-S once the thrill of high-speed
off-roading starts to kick in. Trust me, I won't be parting with it. You never
know when Zombie Apocalypse becomes a reality.
