Have you just watched the new Mission Impossible Movie starring Tom Cruise and wondering “What kind of SUV is that?”
If so, you’ve found the answer. It’s a Land Rover Defender 110, and since the snorkel is on the right side, likely a 200tdi. But this isn’t the first time a Defender has helped Mr.Impossible save the world.
Rogue Defender?
Last time it was in the 2015 edition of Mission Impossible:Rogue Nation a 1990 Land Rover Defender 300tdi was pressed into service in Marrakech, when a search and rescue operation for Ethan Hunt turned into a car chase. As the 110 was swarmed by a pack of killer bikers, joked “You just had to get the 4×4!” while trying to do a three point turn in a narrow car lined street, and then “Look at how slow you’re going… speed it up!” as the 300tdi motor gurgles while taking off after Tom Cruises who is slithering his M3 through the alleys. Not the Defenders finest hour. But in the end, it is the Defender showing up late that saves the day – but we won’t spoil how…. but let’s just say that dorky looking bull bar comes in handy…
Watch the chase and the 110s starring role:
Ghost Defender
The first time that a Defender teamed up with Tom Cruise to save the world was in the 2011 installment of the Mission Impossible franchise – Ghost Protocol. It’s the scene where the star of the movie picks up Tom Cruise as he disembarks from a gulfstream jet in Dubai: A 1995 white NAS edition Defender 90. Which begs the question – what is a NAS Defender doing outside the US? Whatever the Defenders covert backstory is, it’s rear inward facing bench seats actually make for a much more interesting shot then had the team been sitting in forward facing seats…
Watch the Defender show it sure-footedness dodging a caravan of Camels while lugging four members of the IMF team to Dubai.
Now how Tom Cruise was able to convert a Left Hand Drive Defender to a Right Hand Drive in a blink of an eye, I have no idea. It takes us over two weeks! Maybe no mission really is impossible for him!
If you’d like a Defender to help you save the world, or pick up the kids from soccer, browse our Land Rover Defenders For Sale.