Land Rover’s newest car is a reworked, £190k+ classic Defender

Land Rover is back with a new, erm… old Defender. Yep, to give it its full name, this is the Land Rover Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke, and it’s really chuffing expensive.

Essentially, this is Land Rover Classic taking cars built between 2012 and 2016 and ‘remastering’ them with the firm’s 5.0-litre V8 sending 399bhp and 380lb ft of torque through an eight-speed ZF auto to all four wheels.

There are Alcon brakes and LED lights, along with upgraded suspension. In fact, the cars are built to the same spec as the Islay Edition unveiled back in May last year.

Customers will be able to commission pretty much any spec they want though, with literally any exterior colour available using Land Rover’s ‘match to sample’ service. There’s the option of 16in Wolf wheels or 18in Sawtooth alloys, and you can spec roof-mounted spotlights or an LED light bar. You can have Heritage, Standard or Adventure grilles, a Black Pack and Recaro seats inside if you so wish, plus there’s a choice of five monotone or eight duotone colours for the leather interior.

You’ll find a little 3.5in touchscreen in there with navigation, DAB radio and Bluetooth, although that modern JLR shifter does look a little out of place.

“With Works Bespoke, we are giving clients the opportunity to create their perfect Classic Defender V8, a vehicle that will suit their exact lifestyle,” said Paul Barritt, director of Land Rover Classic.

“Every vehicle is lovingly crafted, with creativity the only limit when it comes to personalising each vehicle to the owner’s desired specification. From start to finish, clients of Works Bespoke will be given an experience like no other, creating their ultimate Classic Defender V8.”

Clients will also be relieved of quite a bit of their cash as a result, because the Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke will start at £190,000 for the four-seat 90 Station Wagon. And that’s before tax. The five-seat 110 is £199,000 + VAT, while a seven-seat 110 can also be customised… for £204,000 plus tax.