Oshe Automotive is one of those companies that specialises in making cars for true enthusiasts of the classic models. In the words of David Lane, the South African-born founder, Oshe (the name of the African God of Thunder) believes in ‘taking the best of the old and designing out the compromises’.
Because each car the company produces is handcrafted, the compromises of the original design can be eliminated. Oshe has people with expertise and more importantly, the passion for what it does.
While Oshe has done many Porsches which it markets under its Performance line, it also has an Adventure line, not surprising given the background of the founder who grew up on a game reserve. His exposure to Land Rovers, Jeeps and Toyota Land Cruisers would create a passion for such vehicles which Oshe also offers.
The Adventure line uses mainly Land Rovers and have the off-road ability of a Defender, but with the comfort and on-road refinement of a much newer vehicle. “Integrity, authenticity and capability – three words to describe the Oshe Adventure, a reinvention of the classic Land Rover Defender by Oshe Automotive,” said Lane.
The latest example is called the Okavango (named after a huge river dealt in Botswana), which rides on a Defender 90 chassis. It previews the first of a limited-series production version of the vehicle by Oshe Automotive.
A clean, historically-respectful, modern interpretation of the Land Rover legend, the Okavango follows a clear concept – what the original Defender would have evolved into, had it been continuously developed over 5 decades.
“Our Adventure Land Rovers maintain the distinctive styling dating back to the original Series Landys, but for the connoisseur, the improvements will be very noticeable and are a dramatic improvement,” Lane said.
The prototype in the Adventure Safari specification is on a short wheelbase, but the production build will use the longer-wheelbase 110 chassis. This will be fitted with a Chevrolet LT1 6.2-litre V8 paired with a GM 8-speed automatic transmission. A Rover 3.5-litre V8 will also be available.
Every effort has been made to refine and enhance the Okavango for everyday usability and enjoyment. Under the skin is a bespoke wiring loom, AP Racing braking system, and a custom interior to allow for more room.
To further aid comfort, the heated seats are reprofiled, along with the pedal and handbrake arrangements to allow for extra interior space. The Okavango model has a removable ‘bikini’ top roof while the cabin ambience is endowed with luxury in the form of a Mahogany wooden steering wheel and console, and the gear shifter is formed from African acacia.
While the dashboard is inspired by classic Land Rovers, it has been tastefully modernised, with wireless charging, Bluetooth audio and Burmester speakers and custom gauges reminiscent of Series Land Rovers.
Other luxury features include air conditioning, power steering, Muirhead leather, heated mirrors and windscreen, electric sidesteps and an Audison & Morell audio system.
To provide the maximum flexibility between on-road and off-road performance, the Adventure vehicles will have a semi-active, electronically controlled suspension set-up, with 5 mappable settings and g-sensor.
Production of all Adventure models, with prices starting from £225,000 (about RM1.315 million) will be limited as Oshe plans to build only 4 units a year. The first ones are already being built, with the first production 110 example set to be completed before the end of 2023.
Further modern re-interpretations of the iconic Land Rover will follow, and each build project will be named after a prominent African river (Limpopo, Zambezi and Sabie).
