Land Rover Classic, the heritage division of Jaguar Land Rover, has revived an icon with the introduction of the Classic Defender V8 Soft Top, the first Defender of this type launched since 2016. Each restomod uses the short-wheelbase “90” chassis and begins its transformation journey as a specially sourced donor piece from the 2012-2016 production period. The engineers at Land Rover Classic then subject it to a thorough rebuilding process, resulting in a bespoke creation.

The canvas hood is available in Black, Sand, Dark Khaki, or Navi and features an authentic design inspired by the last Defender produced in 2016. A smaller “Bikini Hood” option is also available for those who don't care too much about weather protection.

The new Classic Defender V8 is built only made-to-order, and clients can go wild with their customization, selecting from 49 paint finishes or opting for a match-to-sample service for peculiar palettes. The personalization extends to exterior details like grilles, door handles, and bonnet scripts.

"With the Classic Defender V8 Soft Top, we provide an even greater opportunity to turn Classic Defender V8 dreams into reality," said Land Rover Classic director Dominic Elms. "We work with clients to provide a one‑to‑one bespoke service so they can enjoy their vehicle safely in the knowledge it has been designed and engineered exclusively for them by the original manufacturer."

The engine is a 5.0-liter V8 generating 405 horsepower and 515Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
Customization and power come at a cost. The new Defender V8 Soft Top starts at £195,000 plus applicable taxes. The price entitles customers to personalized support from Land Rover Classic's specialist teams in Coventry (UK) and Essen (Germany).