Land Rover Defender XS90 by Chelsea Truck Company
The Land Rover Defender XS90 by Chelsea Truck Company is a bespoke transformation of the original Defender 90 that turns one of Britain's most rugged and purposeful off-roaders into a refined, go-anywhere vehicle without sacrificing the character that makes the Defender iconic. Under the direction of Afzal Kahn, Chief Creative Officer and founder of the Chelsea Truck Company, the XS90 receives a carefully considered package of upgrades that complement rather than overpower the Defender's honest, utilitarian DNA.
What Is the Chelsea Truck Company and Who Is Afzal Kahn?
The Chelsea Truck Company operates under the broader Project Kahn umbrella, which Afzal Kahn established in 1989. Kahn has spent more than three decades building a reputation as one of Britain's most respected bespoke automotive designers, with a portfolio that spans custom alloy wheels, hand-finished interiors, and complete vehicle transformations across Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and other premium platforms. The Chelsea Truck Company focuses specifically on the Defender, treating it as a canvas for enhancements that maintain the vehicle's fundamental character while adding layers of refinement and visual distinction that the factory never offered.
The XS90: Performance, Dimensions, and Specification
The XS90 is based on the compact Defender 90 variant, the shorter two-door body style that offers the Defender's legendary off-road capability in a more maneuverable package suited to both town driving and open terrain. The 2.2-liter engine delivers 175 hp, with power and torque figures of 122 PS and 360 Nm remaining true to the original specification. Chelsea Truck Company's approach is to enhance rather than replace: bespoke alloy wheels with clean lines, soft organic surfaces on the spoke edges, and a purposeful mechanical center carry the XS90's visual identity, while interior upgrades add comfort without compromising the Defender's working-vehicle integrity. Front racing seats in black leather with silver contrast stitching, a Kahn billet steering wheel, a Churchill timepiece, custom fascia panels, and machined aluminum foot pedals bring a considered level of craftsmanship to a cabin that was originally built to be hosed down.
Town and Country Capability in a Single Vehicle
The XS90 sits at a price point of approximately $92,880, reflecting both the quality of the base vehicle and the cost of the hand-finished modifications that Chelsea Truck Company applies to each build. The result is a Defender that can park in a London neighbourhood as comfortably as it navigates a rutted track, combining the visual presence of a bespoke commission with the mechanical reliability and terrain capability that has made the Defender a reference point in off-road vehicle history for over 70 years. Chelsea Truck Company's full range of Defender builds is documented on their website at chelseatruckcompany.com. Carscoops has covered their more recent Defender custom builds, including the Defender 90 Prototype X, which shows how the studio's design language has evolved.
Explore Exceptional Off-Road and Custom Vehicles at TheArsenale
The Chelsea Truck Company Defender XS90 occupies a unique space where British off-road capability meets bespoke craftsmanship. For those who want a Land Rover Defender with TheArsenale's own curation behind it, the Petrology x TheArsenale Land Rover Defender 90 is a highly considered collaboration build available directly through the shop. The MEV Hummer HX-T Custom Off-Road SUV offers a completely different approach to extreme off-road performance with equally distinctive visual presence. Browse the full Cars collection at TheArsenale for the most exceptional custom and performance vehicles available.
