Land Rover has been releasing special edition versions of the Classic Defender for years, and their latest offering, the Land Rover Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke, is said to be “the next chapter in the Classic Defender Story.” Unlike previous limited edition models, Land Rover has not specified a limited run for this new version, leading us to believe that they are now fully invested in the restomod business.
The Land Rover Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke takes older donor vehicles from 2012 to 2016 and completely rebuilds them from the ground up. With a pool of approximately 80,000 units to choose from, Land Rover has a wide selection to work with. The vehicles are stripped down to the chassis and fitted with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 410 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this allows the Classic Defender V8 to go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 5.6 seconds. To ensure a smooth and controlled ride, the vehicle features a new suspension system with Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, and an anti-roll bar.
When it comes to customization options, Land Rover offers buyers a choice of grille layouts and a variety of colors from their Heritage, Contemporary, Premium, and SV Metallic menus. There is also the option for color-matching. To complete the rugged look, the accessories catalog includes an exterior cage, a winch, ladder, lights and light bars, roof rack, side steps, and a camper conversion for the longer trims. The Classic Defender V8 can be equipped with either 16-inch steel Wolf rims or 18-inch Sawtooth alloys, both of which come with Alcon brakes. Inside, the vehicle boasts a leather interior, a 3.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the choice between sport seats or Recaros.
The Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke comes with a hefty price tag. Prices start at £190,000 ($250,378 U.S.) for the four-seat 90, £199,000 ($262,237 U.S.) for the five-seat 110, and £204,000 ($268,826 U.S.) for the seven-seat 110. These prices are in line with other U.S. design shops that offer similar restomod services. However, the Classic Defender V8 is not available for purchase in the U.S. due to the fact that Land Rover stopped selling the Defender in the American market back in 1997.
The first demo units of the Classic Defender V8 will be showcased at the Goodwood Revival event, which runs from September 6-8. This will provide attendees with an opportunity to see these stunning vehicles up close and in action. Overall, the Land Rover Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke offers customers a chance to own an iconic and fully restored Defender with modern enhancements, combining the best of both worlds.