2013 Land Rover Defender

Meet the Desert Fox

MIYO × RedFox Defender Project

MIYO stands for Make It Your Own. We see the Defender as more than a vehicle: it is a platform for creating something personal, with the character and practicality of the original Land Rover shaped into a distinctive, modern expression. The Desert Fox marks the first collaboration between MIYO and RedFox Defender Project. It brings the two names together in one carefully developed Defender 110, combining a clear design identity with a substantial technical rebuild.

A new foundation for the body and chassis

The Desert Fox’s rebuild goes well beyond a cosmetic refresh. At its foundation is a new, hot-dip galvanised chassis, painted and corrosion-protected. Replacing the original chassis gives the vehicle a fresh structural base; galvanising and further protective treatment are intended to help protect that base from corrosion over the years.

The body has also been replaced with a completely new body, rather than simply having the existing panels repaired and repainted. The specification includes new body panels, seals, locks and hinges. Before painting, seam sealer was applied to the body joints, with three-layer underbody protection added to help shield the underside from road debris, moisture and everyday use.

The exterior finish received a complete repaint using a seven-stage paint system and NOVOL Spectral technology. The preparation beneath the paint matters just as much as the colour you see: straight, well-finished panels, properly sealed joints and carefully protected surfaces all contribute to the final result. Together, the new body and galvanised chassis give the Desert Fox the look and feel of a thoroughly renewed vehicle, with a level of finish intended to last beyond the first impression.

A comprehensive rebuild

The rebuild also covers the major mechanical systems. The 2.2-litre TD4 diesel engine has been overhauled and tuned to 161 hp. The gearbox and transfer case have been overhauled, the axles rebuilt, and new heavy-duty half-shafts, propshaft U-joints, seals and oils fitted. The suspension has been rebuilt with a two-inch lift, new springs, adjustable three-stage shocks, new bump stops and polyurethane bushes.

Inside, the cabin has been refurbished with new seats, carpets and upholstery, together with thermal and acoustic insulation. Expedition equipment and modern conveniences—including the winch-equipped front bumper, roof rack, rock sliders, Alpine CarPlay system and multi-view cameras—complete the Desert Fox specification.

At approximately 76,000 km, with just 1,000 km driven since the rebuild, this first MIYO–RedFox collaboration presents a Defender with a new body, a new galvanised chassis and extensive work beneath the surface. “Restored to the highest finish” is best understood here as the scope and quality of the documented body and chassis work, rather than a claim of concours certification.