The wizards over at
Land Rover Classic
are once again performing their healing touch on a historic model from the manufacturer’s legacy. This time around, they’re bringing back the Land Rover Defender V8 Soft Top. Naturally, several factors come into play,
aftermarket companies
These days, there are options to restore and personalize an old Defender, yet Land Rover Classic remains the sole entity that manufactures vehicles akin to a factory-built model.
Each fresh Soft Top venture kicks off with a distinctive Solihull-made 2012-2016 Defender, which is completely disassembled and restructured from scratch. It might seem early for restoration work; however, remember that even back then, these Defenders lacked significant novelty.
Certainly, the powertrain gets a significant enhancement, as Land Rover installs a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine beneath the hood. This setup delivers robust performance with 405 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, all channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF. To sum up, anticipate that this updated Defender will offer better acceleration and a much more refined driving experience compared to any unrestored vintage models. However, the downside is that you’ll have to contend with the modern Land Rover gearshift lever integrated into the classic-looking cabin, which appears somewhat out of place.
Land Rover mentions that the suspension now features updated spring rates, new Bilstein shock absorbers, and Eibach roll bars. Additionally, it comes equipped with bigger four-piston Alcon brakes designed to bring the SUV to a halt more effectively once the increased power leads to higher speeds.
The look is equally important as how well the vehicle functions. It comes with an optional soft-top roof available in four distinct hues, and the structure can be obtained in either North American Specification (NAS) or “Bikini Hood” design. There are 49 conventional external paint options to pick from; however, should you desire something truly unique, a custom-matching service allows you to apply any shade imaginable onto your Defender. Wheel sizes range up to both 16 inches and 18 inches, and various treatments are offered for elements like the grill, door handles, and hood emblem.
Inside, Land Rover offers five monochrome and eight dual-color interior leather choices. Additionally, you can customize various quirky onboard features such as a wine chiller or surfboard holder. The sides and back section of the roof can both be lowered for an open-air experience, and Land Rover notes they have included extra anchor points for this configuration to securely fasten the fabric during high-speed travel.
Certainly, perfectly refurbished Definers are not inexpensive, even when sourced directly from the manufacturer. Land Rover sets the price for the new Defender V8 Soft Top at £195,000, which equates to roughly $260,000 based on today’s currency values. However, it does include a comprehensive one-year warranty covering an unlimited number of miles. Who’s up for a road trip then?
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