It’s two feet wider than standard, boasts 50% more wheels, and features a brush guard aptly named the “Cow Killer.”
If there’s one state in the U.S. where you’d expect to find a six-wheel-drive Land Rover Defender, it’s Florida. Pompano Beach-based custom shop Apocalypse Manufacturing has taken that expectation to the extreme with its Defender 6×6 — which the company claims is the first six-wheel-drive build based on the 21st-century unibody Defender.
Dubbed the ‘Apocalypse World Ender,’ this beast lives up to its bold name. Company founder and CEO Joseph Ghattas proudly embraces its rugged persona, stating, ‘This vehicle is the pinnacle of our expertise in crafting durable, high-performance, ultra-luxury machines designed to outshine even the legendary Mercedes G-Wagon 6×6.’ In a company video, Ghattas even lets out a Tim Allen-style manly chuckle when he starts the truck.
This isn’t Apocalypse’s first six-wheel-drive build, but it was designed to be the most luxurious. The goal was to retain all three rows of seating without shortening the cabin, while also incorporating a pickup bed—an essential feature. This required the team to seamlessly integrate the bed into the unibody construction.
The first task was to widen the SUV by a full two feet, using custom-fabricated parts. Parking sensors were relocated and recalibrated, and the front was equipped with a fierce-looking orange brush guard, aptly named the ‘Cow Killer,’ likely due to its pointed tips.
To ensure the truck’s performance matches its bold appearance, Apocalypse had to innovate. ‘No one makes a lift kit for this thing,’ says Ghattas in a walkaround video, ‘so we custom-fabricated our own suspension. It functions just like it did from the factory, but it’s much taller.’
Powering the World Ender 6×6 is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, producing 518 horsepower—the same engine found in the stock Defender V8. By default, the vehicle operates in six-wheel drive, but the driver can switch to rear-wheel drive when needed. A custom tandem axle supports the rear, and the entire suspension rides on airbags. Apocalypse added an additional set in the middle to support the fabricated steel cargo bed. Extra sensors were programmed into the CPU to detect ride height, allowing the SUV to raise and lower by up to eight inches.
The Defender 6×6 rolls on massive 38-inch tires and includes a full-size spare for any flats. A roll cage spans the width of the vehicle, attaching to the newly extended rear, while a roof rack is ready for gear—whether you’re escaping zombies or prepping for the apocalypse. Owners will also benefit from a ‘slightly larger’ fuel tank than the stock version, according to Ghattas.
Finished in satin gray reminiscent of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the World Ender 6×6 features black accents, a visible white skid plate protecting the front undercarriage, and white panels on the hood. If you’re interested in owning one, Apocalypse is now taking orders on its website with prices starting at $374,999.
