Key highlights
- Australian buyers can commission the Defender Classic V8 in three body styles through local Land Rover retailers.
- Its naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 produces 298kW and 515Nm, with a claimed 0–100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.
- Buyers can personalise everything from exterior colours and upholstery to expedition accessories and infotainment systems.
The old-school Land Rover Defender is making a return to Australia, but getting behind the wheel of one will cost considerably more than buying a conventional off-road SUV.
Land Rover has opened its Defender Classic V8 commissioning programme to Australian buyers, allowing customers to order a restored and upgraded version of the original Defender through local retailers.
The programme is operated by Land Rover Classic, the brand’s heritage division, which rebuilds older Defenders and gives them modern mechanical upgrades while retaining their traditional design and construction.
Buyers can choose between three body styles, including the Defender 90 Station Wagon, 90 Soft Top and 110 Station Wagon. More variants are expected to follow.
Customers can start configuring their vehicles through Land Rover’s online configurator before working directly with specialist teams at Classic Works in Coventry, UK, and Essen, Germany, to finalise their specifications.
For those who want something ready-made, a Defender 90 V8 Soft Top finished in Sunset Gold is also available for sale. Its design takes inspiration from the North American Specification (NAS) Defender 90 models sold during the 1990s.
Read more: 2027 Jaecoo J7 Black Edition adds blacked-out styling for $49,990
A 5.0-litre V8 replaces the original Defender’s workhorse character
Each Defender Classic V8 starts with an original Solihull-built Defender produced between 2012 and 2016. The donor vehicle is then stripped down, rebuilt and upgraded by Land Rover Classic’s specialist craftspeople.
Under the bonnet sits a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine producing 298kW at 6000rpm and 515Nm at 5000rpm. It is paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission operated through a pistol-style gear selector.
The powertrain also works with an all-wheel-drive system featuring a two-speed transfer case, heavy-duty front and rear differentials, and a torque-biasing centre differential.
Despite retaining the original Defender’s traditional construction, the Classic V8 is considerably quicker than its older counterparts. Land Rover estimates the 90 can accelerate from 0–100km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the longer 110 takes 6.1 seconds. Both have a claimed top speed of 170km/h.
The suspension retains live beam axles at both ends but gets Eibach coil springs and anti-roll bars, along with Bilstein dampers. Braking is handled by four-piston Alcon calipers, with 335mm discs at the front and 300mm units at the rear.
Classic looks with modern technology inside
Personalisation is a major part of the Defender Classic V8 experience, with buyers able to choose from Heritage and Extended exterior colour palettes or request a bespoke shade through Land Rover’s match-to-sample service.
There are also three grille designs to choose from, namely Heritage, Standard and Adventure, alongside black or silver exterior packs. Buyers can specify 16-inch Wolf steel wheels or 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels.
The Soft Top gets four canvas roof colour options, including Black, Sand, Dark Khaki and Navy. A smaller bikini hood, which covers only the front seats, is also available.
Inside, the cabin combines the original Defender’s rugged character with handcrafted leather upholstery across the dashboard, seats, door panels and roof lining. Buyers can choose from five monotone and eight two-tone colour combinations, with optional Premium seats and Recaro seats available on selected models.
Despite its old-school appearance, the Classic V8 also gets modern connectivity features. A 4.8-inch touchscreen provides wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and DAB radio. Buyers can upgrade to a larger nine-inch touchscreen, while a reversing camera is available as an option.
For those planning longer adventures, the optional Explorer Pack includes a Ply Guys camper conversion that turns the rear cabin into a bespoke living space. A roof-mounted tent and ladder are also available, alongside accessories such as roof racks, expedition cages and winches.
Land Rover Defender Classic V8 price
The Defender Classic V8 starts at £209,000, excluding delivery charges and local taxes. This roughly translates to almost $400,000 in Australian dollars.
For context, the modern Land Rover Defender OCTA starts at around $305,000 in Australia before on-road costs. While both models carry V8 power, they take very different approaches.
The OCTA is a modern performance-focused off-roader, while the Classic V8 combines traditional Defender styling and construction with a more powerful engine and updated mechanical components.
For Australian enthusiasts, the return of the Classic V8 offers a way to own a factory-restored version of the original Defender with modern performance and comfort upgrades. However, with a starting price approaching $400,000 before local charges, it is firmly aimed at collectors and enthusiasts rather than buyers looking for a conventional off-road four-wheel drive.
Comments
New Comment