Land Rover Classic has announced the release of 150 special edition versions of the legendary Defender off-roader, that have been reimagined with the addition of a V8 engine.
70 years after the introduction of the original Defender, this limited-run unit pays tribute to the Land Rover Series III from 1979 and the 50th anniversary edition, which both came with a V8 under the bonnet.
The naturally-aspirated, 5.0-litre Defender Works V8 fitted to the 150 refurbished units produces 399bhp and can take the smaller Defender 90 from 0-60mph in just 5.6 seconds. It tops out at 106mph, and the power plant is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Land Rover Classic will offer customers the chance to choose between both the 90 and 110 wheelbases, and all models come with upgraded brakes, a handling kit and 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with off-road tyres.
Eight body colours will be available to choose from, and Land Rover Classic also adds aluminium detailing for the fuel filler cap, door handles and Defender badging.
Inside, customers get full leather upholstery and leather interior trim on the dashboard, door panels and headlining, as well as a classic infotainment system.
Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time.
“The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”
Units will cost from £150,000.
Land Rover Classic also announced that it will be releasing new performance upgrades for Land Rover owners to fit to their own Defenders, such as new diesel engines, chassis upgrades and braking systems.
