Land Rover Classic has announced the return of its most desirable classic Defender with the launch of the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top. The highly sought-after soft-top Defender returns as part of the new 2024 Works Bespoke service, allowing clients to personalise this legendary model. Available exclusively on the short-wheelbase ‘90’ chassis, it’s the first Defender Soft Top since 2016, combining open-air driving with classic Defender off-road capability. Each Classic Defender V8 Soft Top is meticulously crafted over hundreds of hours by Land Rover Classic experts, starting with a specially sourced 2012–2016 donor vehicle that is fully reengineered to OEM standards, ensuring longevity, luxury, and capability.
Highlights & customisation options: Canvas/Bikini hood opts, 49 paint finishes & wheel sizes from 16″ to 18″
The bespoke canvas hood, inspired by the final 2016 Defender, ensures a perfect fit and comes in four colours—Black (standard), Sand, Dark Khaki, and Navy. It features authentic tie-downs and webbing, with side and rear panels that unzip and roll up for open-air driving, while added tie-down points keep it secure at highway speeds. The specially designed hood frame, inspired by the original NAS 90, supports the new model, with an optional smaller ‘Bikini Hood’ available in the same four colours for front-seat protection. Clients can choose from 49 paint finishes or opt for the Works Bespoke match-to-sample service for a truly personalised look.
Dominic Elms, Managing Director at Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said:
“With the Classic Defender V8 Soft Top, we provide an even greater opportunity to turn Classic Defender V8 dreams into reality. At Land Rover Classic we work with clients to provide a one-to-one bespoke service, so they can enjoy their vehicle safe in the knowledge it has been designed and engineered exclusively for them, by the original manufacturer – the people who know it best.”
Clients can customise a wide range of exterior and interior details, including the grille, door handles, and bonnet script, with wheel options of 16-inch Wolf alloys in Black or Limestone, or 18-inch Sawtooth alloys. Interior choices include five monotone and eight duo-tone leather trims in colours like Caraway, Liberty Blue, and Garnet, along with other bespoke finishes. Unique options such as an onboard wine cooler and custom surfboard rack enable truly one-off creations tailored to any lifestyle.
Powertrain: 5.0L V8 (405hp & 515 Nm), 8-spd auto & Eiback anti-roll bars and Bilstein dampers
Every Classic Defender V8 Soft Top features a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre Land Rover petrol V8 engine pushing out a max. output of 405 hp at 6,000 rpm and 515 Nm of max. torque at 5,000 rpm. It is paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission for effortless, precise performance. It is claimed to hit 96 km/h (60 mph) in 5.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 171 km/h (106 mph).
The V8 power is paired with uprated suspension and brakes. The suspension is tailored to the 90 Soft Top’s unique characteristics, blending Defender capability with superior comfort. It features revised coil springs, Eibach anti-roll bars, and Bilstein dampers, all tested to OEM standards. The brakes include four-piston Alcon units with 335mm front and 300mm rear discs for strong stopping power.
Pricing & warranty: AED 900,000 plus taxes; 1-year unlimited mileage warranty
Specialist teams at Land Rover Classic in Coventry, UK, and Essen, Germany provide dedicated personalised support. Prices start from £195,000 (approx. AED 900,000) plus local taxes in the UK, with each Classic Defender V8 Soft Top backed by a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
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