JLR Classic Revives the Retro Land Rover Defender with a V8 Engine

The original Land Rover Defender continues to have a devoted global fanbase, despite being phased out of production in 2016. Land Rover's Works Bespoke division responded to the demand for custom builds by reviving the iconic Defender with updated features, improved chassis, and a wide range of personalisation options. There are two body styles for the "Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke": 90 and 110. The commissions will all be "remastered by hand in the UK" by Land Rover Classic engineers, and they will all be based on donor cars made between 2012 and 2016. In addition to being restored, the Defenders will undergo "hundreds of hours of painstaking work" to re-engineer and enhance them.

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Classic Land Rover Defender V8 by Works Bespoke: Design Details

Interested buyers may customise the exterior of their Classic Defender by choosing from Land Rover's Heritage, Contemporary, Premium, or "SV Metallic" paint jobs. The roof can be finished in a contrasting shade, with the external accents adorning silver or black colour. Land Rover has three grille designs (Heritage, Standard, and Adventure), which are accompanied by contemporary LED headlights. An extensive range of accessories is also available, including side steps, a winch, a roof rack, a ladder, and an expedition cage. Additional options comprise the Adventure Pack, which has a tent mounted on the roof, and the more extensive Ply Guys Camper Conversion, which transforms the Defender into a real camper. A choice of 16-inch Wolf or 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels completes the design.

Classic Land Rover Defender V8 by Works Bespoke: Cabin

Eight duotone and five monotone leather treatment options are now available for the reupholstered interior. Buyers may opt for the firmer Recaro seats or the plusher Premium seating. While maintaining its traditional appearance, the centre console now has a new 3.5-inch touchscreen with DAB Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation. In addition, the brand has incorporated gloss black inlays and updated the gear selector.

Classic Land Rover Defender V8 by Works Bespoke: Mechanical Core

Bespoke Works' Defender V8 receives a revised suspension setup that includes Bilstein dampers, Eibach coil springs, and anti-roll bars. Four-piston Alcon brakes with 335mm front and 300mm rear discs complement the improved brake setup. Under the hood, as the name implies, is a V8 engine. Every restomod is equipped with a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated (NA) V8 unit from JLR which develops 400bhp of maximum power and 515Nm of peak torque. This unit is coupled to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The car can go from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds and boasts a top speed of 170km/h.

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Classic Land Rover Defender V8 by Works Bespoke: Price

Compared to other Defender variants, the Works Bespoke Classic Defender V8 is significantly more expensive. The starting price of the four-seater Defender 90 is USD 251,345 (roughly Rs 2.11 crore), the five-seater Defender 110 is USD 263,090 (about Rs 2.20 crore), and the seven-seater Defender 110 is USD 269,700 (around Rs 2.26 crore). Notably, these prices are exclusive of taxes and optional features.

The Classic Defender V8 is scheduled to make its public debut during the 2024 Goodwood Revival in September.