Most desirable classic Land Rover Defender reborn

Land Rover Classic, a division of Jaguar Land Rover (which is owned by Tata Motors), has confirmed the return of an icon with the launch of the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top. This is said to be the most desirable classic Land Rover Defender, highly sought-after in the used-car market.

Exclusively available on the short-wheelbase ‘90’ chassis, the Soft Top – the first Defender Soft Top since 2016 – follows the introduction of the new Works Bespoke service in 2024. Each Classic Defender V8 Soft Top is the result of hundreds of hours of work by expert Land Rover Classic engineers who restore an original vehicle.

The process of restoration begins with a specially sourced donor vehicle, originally produced from 2012 – 2016. It is then comprehensively enhanced and reengineered, bringing it to the original factory standards with longevity, luxury and capability in mind.

A bespoke canvas hood ensures a perfect fit, and is available in four colours, with Black as standard and Sand, Dark Khaki and Navy also available. Its unique design is inspired by the hood fitted to the last Defender to roll off the production line in 2016 and features authentic tie-downs and webbing.

The side and rear sections can be unzipped and rolled-up for open air driving while retaining a degree of protection from the elements, and Land Rover Classic has added extra tie-down points to keep the canvas tightly secured at highway speeds.

The hood frame itself has been specially designed for the new model, with bracing that takes its inspiration from the coveted original NAS (North American Specification) 90. A smaller ‘Bikini Hood’ is also available, protecting the front-seat occupants.

Customers can personalise a vast array of exterior and interior details to bring their Soft Top vision to life, including the grille, door handles and bonnet script, while a choice of 16-inch Wolf wheels or 18-inch Sawtooth alloys is available – the former finished in either Black or Limestone.

Inside, there are various leather options to choose from, with accessories that include an onboard wine cooler and a custom surfboard rack, allowing Land Rover Classic to create one-off examples to suit any lifestyle.

All Classic Defender V8 Soft Top vehicles are powered by a Land Rover 5-litre petrol V8 engine, with 405 bhp/515 Nm output. This is paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission for effortless performance and precise responses.

The suspension and brakes are uprated, with the former having a set-up is specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of the 90 Soft Top and combines traditional Defender capability with superior comfort in all environments. The revised coil spring rates, Eibach anti-roll bars, and Bilstein dampers have undergone comprehensive testing and development to ensure they meet factory standards.

Ex-factory prices for the Classic Defender V8 Soft Top start from £195,000 (around RM1.105 million), and each unit comes with a 12-month, unlimited mileage warranty.

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