Currently reading: Land Rover revives classic Defender V8 for £190,000

Legendary 4x4 is brought up to date with reworked suspension and interior, plus tech upgrade

Land Rover has revealed an official restomod for the classic Defender, turning the legendary 4x4 into a bona fide rival for the Mercedes G-Class.

Produced by Land Rover Classic, it promises to modernise the classic Defender as far as it is possible to, with a reworked chassis, interior and exterior.

It is powered by JLR’s ubiquitous naturally aspirated 5.0-litre ‘AJ’ V8, sending 405bhp and 380lb ft through an eight-speed gearbox supplied by ZF.

Bilstein dampers as well as Eibach springs and anti-roll bars are fitted to help the Defender through bends. It also gets four-pot Alcon brakes for improved stopping power.

Inside, the reworked Defender’s seats, door cards, roof lining and dashboard are reupholstered in one of five leather options. Two designs of seat are available: one prioritising comfort and the other, supplied by Recaro, offering thicker bolsters and a sportier look.

The radio is swapped for a new deck with a 3.5in touchscreen, bringing sat-nav, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity while remaining faithful to the aesthetic of the original.

Land Rover Defender V8 by Bespoke Works

Exterior modifications include brighter LED headlights and a choice of 16in or 18in alloy wheels. Several accessories are offered, including side steps, a ladder and LED spotlights. Land Rover will also offer paint-to-sample, allowing buyers to match the colour of their car to anything they like.

Prices for the Defender V8 by Works Bespoke start at £190,000 (excluding VAT), which buys a four-seat 90 model. The larger five-seat 110 is priced from £199,000 and the seven-seater is £204,000 (also excluding VAT).

Each will be based on a Defender produced between 2012 and 2016 and sourced by Land Rover itself.

Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Editorial assistant, Autocar

As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its social media channels, providing videos for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.

Charlie is the proud owner of a Fiat Panda 100HP, which he swears to be the best car in the world. Until it breaks.

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Arthur Sleep 28 August 2024

Could someone in the know please explain to me why the 110 has no rollcage?  A classic Defender is made of aluminium and has no upper strength at all.  In a roll, the roof collapses like cardboard - taking all the occupants out in a very quick, but brutal way.  The A pillar (very thick on some cars) is a bit wider than a pencil on a Defender, but useless anyway - even if it were a foot thick.  It's why ALL off-road and even many on-road Defenders have rollcages...but not this silly-priced 110 one.

jason_recliner 29 August 2024

Really good point.

Calorus 29 August 2024

Because if people want a safe, efficient, modern Defender, there is one.

This is a car that is fundamentally inferior in every possible way, rereleased to appeal people who have the means to afford anything they want, but prefer to be seen in a classic.

It is unsafe in all of the ways an externally door hinged 1950's design would be, ruining the interior for a rollcage you can have fitted if you so please would be incredibly self defeating.

Arthur Sleep 29 August 2024

Thanks for replying, Calorus, but the roll cage goes on the outside, not the inside (inside is just a bar).  If you roll the photos, you'll see they put a cage on the 90 but not the 110 - it makes no sense.  It's very easy to roll a car, even at low speeds, and although the Defender is bottom-heavy, it gets easier with speed.

To me, the new Defender (Pretender) looks weird, whereas the boxy classic one is timeless.  It's not that I prefer to be seen in a classic Defender, I prefer them, full stop.  They have so many issues which have to be corrected in a refurb, but I promise you that the three 90s I have had drew comments and admiring glances - yes, they all had roll cages.  I don't think I ever once didn't look back after walking away from a parking spot.  I want a fourth, but the prices are just stupid.

Calorus 29 August 2024

Ah, that one's just an accessory though, isn't it? You could always spec that with or without the Safari pack, fording kit and snorkel.

catnip 28 August 2024

Silly money, but I'm sure they'll sell. I think they've got the exterior 'revisions' spot on - the steel wheels look great and they've resisted the temptation to add modern details such as privacy glass and those silly strips of LEDs in the front bumper, which just look naff.

Calorus 29 August 2024

It's been left alone by LR so Kahn and co and ruin them.

Big Stu 28 August 2024

That's absolutely mental money for what is not a very refined vehicle.  They're great practical vehicles for a farm or something like that.  If you want more luxurious the new Defender seems to fit the bill.

Calorus 29 August 2024

If it does, you'll buy it.

If it doesn't and you wish to be seen in a classic Defender, this is the best base money can buy.