JE Motorworks Zulu2 110, car review: Behind the wheel of £154,000 supercharged V8-powered Defender

Transforming workaday off-road vehicles into hot road cars is nothing new. When it comes to Land Rover’s late lamented Defender, the likes of Twisted and Khan have been doing it for decades – as has JE Engineering, whose sub-brand JE Motorworks has just introduced the Zulu2. All 20 examples of the model’s forerunner, the Zulu, sold out, so there was clearly further demand to add even more muscle and kit as well as pump up the styling. JE Motorworks has certainly made the most of the opportunity.

Under the Zulu2’s bonnet there’s a new supercharged 4.7-litre V8 in place of the old 4.2 V8. It kicks out 475bhp, and 479lb ft of torque can be accessed from around 2000rpm. A six-ratio auto from the Ford F-150 links to a strengthened front diff and a Quaife limited-slip rear unit. It’s all complemented by upgraded brakes boasting six-pot calipers and large grooved discs. The dropped suspension incorporates Fox racing dampers and stiffer anti-roll bars.

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The boxy styling has been enhanced on the outside with new paint and LEDs, plus a unique grille, vents, steps and alloys, while the cabin has been heavily reworked and, in our test car, trimmed in leather. It has three rows of new seats, additional soundproofing and an impressive range of bespoke options. Despite all the luxuries, however, the driving position is no more comfortable than it is in a standard Defender 110.

On the road, that extra muscle provides an extremely entertaining drive. All four tyres can easily be made to wheelspin away from a standstill, making for exhilarating standing starts, and the V8 exhaust note sounds glorious. The Zulu2 is undoubtedly at its most fun in a straight line.

Corners aren’t dealt with quite so well, although handling and control are noticeably better than the standard models. However you configure the suspension settings, though, the Defender reminds you that it was only ever meant to be a utilitarian workhorse – especially if you upset or challenge it mid-corner.

The same goes for refinement. There is plenty of noise from the wind, drivetrain and chunky tyres, while you need to feed in the power smoothly with your right foot to get the best from the otherwise jerky gearbox.

The £150,000-plus asking price is a lot of money, but in the rarefied market of the posh, modified 4x4, the Zulu2 works well. It will certainly find customers for its limited run of 25. It’s exciting to drive, different and well engineered, and the list of bespoke options is such that no two models will be the same. If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, nothing will.