Urban Widetrack Avontur: Carbon Defender Pickup Debut!

Reimagining the Legend: Urban Widetrack Avontur Turns the Defender 110 into an Exclusive Carbon Pickup

While the classic Land Rover Defender famously offered a utilitarian pickup variant throughout its multi-decade production run, the modern L663 generation has strictly omitted an open-bed body style from factory showrooms. Filling this void for high-net-worth enthusiasts and collectors, British coachbuilder Urban Automotive unveiled the Urban Widetrack Avontur prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Created to mark the tuner’s 10th anniversary at the iconic motoring festival, this coachbuilt two-seater completely replaces the passenger cabin behind the B-pillar with a structural carbon-fiber pickup bed. The result is a unique blend of rugged commercial heritage and high-end supercar-level composite craftsmanship.

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|               URBAN WIDETRACK AVONTUR STRUCTURAL FLOW             |
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|  [ Donor Base: Land Rover Defender 110 Hard Top Commercial ]      |
|                         |                                         |
|                         v                                         |
|  [ Rear Roof & D-Pillar Deletion (B-Pillar Cut) ]                 |
|                         |                                         |
|                         v                                         |
|  [ Integrated Rollover Framework & Chassis Reinforcements ]      |
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|                         v                                         |
|  [ Handcrafted Carbon-Fiber Bed & Rear Wall Installation ]        |
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|                         v                                         |
|  [ Widetrack Stance: 23-Inch Alloys & Extended Fender Arches ]     |
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Coachbuilt Transformation: From Commercial SUV to Carbon Bed Pickup

The donor platform for the Avontur conversion is the commercial-spec Land Rover Defender 110 Hard Top panel van. By starting with a dedicated commercial base rather than a standard multi-seat passenger wagon, Urban Automotive optimizes interior packaging while creating a distinct short-cab silhouette.

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Key Body & Bed Structural Modifications

B-Pillar Cab Termination: The roof structure and rear side doors are completely removed behind the front seats, replaced by a sealed, handcrafted carbon-fiber rear cab wall with a heated glass window.
Exposed Carbon Fiber Bed: The custom rear cargo tub is constructed entirely from exposed carbon fiber, featuring an embossed Urban Automotive logo on the bed floor.
Finish Options: Buyers can spec the composite rear bed structure in standard 2×2 twill, 4×4 weave, or forged carbon fiber, available in both high-gloss and satin matte lacquer coats.
Functional Utility Rails: An integrated modular tie-down rail system runs along the inner bed walls to secure cargo safely.
Functional Tailgate: The conversion retains the factory swing-out tailgate mechanism, augmented with an integrated billet bottle opener.

Chassis Rigidity and Rollover Protection Engineering

Removing the rear roof enclosure and upper pillar structures from a modern monocoque chassis inherently impacts torsional stiffness. To offset these structural changes and preserve factory handling characteristics, Urban Automotive engineered a dedicated internal reinforcement package.

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|                  STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT ARCHITECTURE             |
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|  [ B-Pillar Frame ] -----> Heavy-Duty Steel Rollover Hoop          |
|  [ Under-Bed Floor ] ----> Triangular Chassis Bracing Brackets     |
|  [ Tailgate Frame ] ----> Reinforced Composite Mounting Points    |
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The integrated steel rollover structure is hidden beneath the carbon-fiber trim, offering impact safety without cluttering the clean lines of the open cargo bay.

ℹ️ Technical Note: Converting a modern unibody aluminum chassis into an open-bed pickup requires compensating for the loss of structural roof shear. The added steel rollover hoops and underbody cross-bracing maintain original torsional rigidity ratings, preventing body flex during cornering or off-road axle articulation.

Exterior Styling: 36 Bespoke Custom Components

Beyond the rear bed conversion, the Widetrack Avontur incorporates a full suite of 36 bespoke exterior components designed by Urban’s in-house engineering team.

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Exterior Component	Material / Specification	Design Function
Front Bonnet	Lightweight Carbon Fiber	Vented bulge design for improved heat extraction
Front Fascia	Gloss Black Composite	Lower splitter with integrated DRL light pods
Wheel Arches	Color-Matched Composite	Widetrack extensions widening the body profile
Wheel / Tire Setup	23-Inch Forged Alloys	Paired with performance low-profile street tires
Side Vents	Carbon Fiber	“Best of British” design inserts behind front wheels
Spare Wheel Cover	Carbon Fiber & Composite	Tailgate-mounted enclosure with Urban lettering

Technical Maintenance & Composite Care Protocols

Operating and maintaining a coachbuilt vehicle equipped with extensive exposed carbon-fiber bodywork requires specific care routines to preserve material integrity.

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|                     RECOMMENDED SERVICE SCHEDULE                   |
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|  [ Carbon Bed Clear-Coat Inspection ] ----> Every 12 Months         |
|  [ Chassis Rollover Hoop Fasteners ]  ----> Check Torque @ 15,000 km |
|  [ Cargo Utility Rail Lubrication ]   ----> Every 6 Months         |
|  [ Suspension Alignment (23" Wheels) ]---> Every 10,000 km         |
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Essential Maintenance Recommendations

UV Protection for Carbon Fiber: Exposed carbon fiber surfaces feature UV-resistant clear coats. Apply a ceramic coating every 12 to 18 months to prevent resin yellowing or oxidation under intense sunlight.
Bed Cargo Care: Although the carbon bed is clear-coated for durability, transporting heavy or sharp metal equipment without protective rubber matting can gouge the composite surface finish.
Wheel Alignment with 23-Inch Assemblies: The large 23-inch forged wheels alter scrub radius slightly compared to factory 19-inch off-road wheels. Maintain precise wheel alignment to prevent uneven inner tire tread wear.

⚠️ WARNING: High-pressure jet washers should be held at a minimum distance of 40 cm (16 inches) from carbon-fiber seams and rubber bed-seal gaskets. Direct high-pressure water can degrade edge sealant bonding over time.

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Cabin Architecture and Interior Refinement

Inside the two-seat driver cabin, Urban Automotive replaces factory commercial trim with high-end sports-car components:

Recaro Bucket Seats: Supportive Recaro sports seats replace the standard factory chairs, offering improved lateral support and a lower seating position.
Bespoke Leather Retrim: Optional full Windsor leather or Alcantara upholstery covers the dashboard, door cards, and central console array.
Acoustic Insulation: Heavy-duty sound-deadening mats are fitted along the rear bulkhead to isolate the cabin from road noise originating in the open cargo bed.

Market Positioning and Production Outlook

Unveiled initially as a unique show prototype at Goodwood, the Widetrack Avontur is designed primarily as an ultra-exclusive lifestyle vehicle rather than a high-volume work truck.

Availability Status: Currently a functional single prototype, but open to client commissions for limited low-volume production builds.
Estimated Pricing: Fully commissioned customer builds featuring custom carbon packages are projected to exceed $200,000 USD (excluding the base donor vehicle).
Build Personalization: Every production unit can be tailored to individual specifications, including bespoke interior leather colors, specialized bed rail accessories, and unique exterior paintwork.

Specifications Summary: Standard Defender 110 vs. Urban Avontur

Feature / Metric	Factory Land Rover Defender 110	Urban Widetrack Avontur
Body Style	5-Door SUV / 3-Door Commercial	2-Door Open Cargo Pickup
Seating Capacity	2 to 7 Passengers	2 Passengers (Recaro Seats)
Rear Load Bay	Enclosed Interior Cargo Area	Exposed Carbon Fiber Bed
Wheel Fitment	18″ to 22″ Factory Alloys	23″ Urban Forged Alloys
Body Width	Standard Factory Width	Widetrack Extended Profile
Bonnet Material	Factory Aluminum	Lightweight Vented Carbon Fiber
Custom Components	Standard Factory OEM	36+ Bespoke Tailored Parts

Final Thoughts: A Unique Coachbuilt Statement

The Urban Widetrack Avontur proves that custom coachbuilding remains vibrant in the modern automotive era. By converting the Defender 110 Hard Top into a carbon-fiber pickup, Urban Automotive delivers a vehicle that balances rugged British design with high-end luxury appeal.