Dubai Desert Dreams

After sourcing Faisal a left-hand-drive donor vehicle, it spent over three months in the Twisted factory, as we created his dream adventure build. Faisal is normally found somewhere deep in the Arabian desert, but we managed to catch up with him to learn more about him and his Twisted 110.

HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT TWISTED?

I was searching for companies that took the Land Rover Defender to a new level both mechanically and aesthetically. The moment I came across Twisted I knew I had found what I was looking for.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A FAN OF THE LAND ROVER DEFENDER AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT?

I love the history and the heritage. It has been in the deepest parts of Africa and the most remote corners of South Asia – there’s just so much history. I also love the timeless design it has with that beautiful silhouette. Not to mention the simplicity and practicality of the vehicle.

WHAT CHANGES WERE YOU MOST KEEN TO MAKE TO THE ORIGINAL DEFENDER, AS PART OF THE TWISTED BUILD PROCESS?

I was looking for more power but didn’t want to switch engines. I wanted the originality of the factory engine but tuned for more output. I also wanted a more usable, modern suspension system. And then of course I wanted the interior to be as luxurious as anything out there.

DID YOU VISIT THE WORKSHOP WHILE THE BUILD PROCESS WAS ON-GOING AND DID YOU MAKE ANY LIVE CHANGES?

Yes I did and I was given the factory tour. I could have easily spent the whole week there!

‘It is absolutely my everyday vehicle! Every time I get into it, I get a big smile on my face!’

WERE THERE ANY PARTS OF YOUR OWN PERSONALITY THAT YOU WANTED TO CAPTURE AS PART OF THE BUILD?

I had so many things on the list to express my personality, but I had to trim them down for the sake of having the vehicle delivered on time!

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES YOUR VEHICLE STAND OUT FROM THE REST?

It’s the expedition look. From the roof rack with solar panels, to the awning and en-suite, to the custom pull out table in the rear, 360 degree lighting and gullwing storage boxes within the rear panels. Then there is the on-board air compressor and built-in water tank!

WHAT SORT OF DRIVING TASKS DO YOU USE YOUR TWISTED FOR? EVERY DAY OR JUST A WEEKEND CAR?

It is absolutely my everyday vehicle! Every time I get into it, I get a big smile on my face!

WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE TWISTED ROAD TRIP?

Gosh, there are so many. I’d love to take it into the remote Himalayan region of India right to the border where India meets China and Pakistan – the so-called roof of the world.

IF NOT THE DEFENDER, WHAT’S THE NEXT CHOICE OF VEHICLE ON YOUR DRIVE?

I own a vintage Mercedes G-Wagon, a vintage Mercedes Unimog 416 and a Toyota Land Cruiser 79. I’m also awaiting delivery of my Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40.

ON A SPARE WEEKEND YOU MAY HAVE, WHERE DO YOU TAKE YOUR TWISTED?

You can find me bouncing around the desert dunes of the UAE, most likely a place called ‘Fossil Rock’.