Land Rover to create a limited-run of ‘real’ Defender V8s

Land Rover is creating a limited run of V8-powered classic Defenders to pay tribute to the manufacturer’s legacy of global expeditions.

There aren’t many vehicles that can say they’ve graced almost every corner of the planet but if you were to guess what kind of vehicle has done so, you would likely think of a Land Rover.

In paying tribute to its 70 years of adventuring, the British carmaker has decided to create 25 Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy IIs.

Using models built between 2012 and 2016, Land Rover Classic will strip and rebuild each Defender by hand, fitting a 298kW/515Nm 5.0-litre V8 in the process. The engine will be mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission while the drivetrain receives a complete rebuild along with uprated suspension, brakes and steering enhancements.

Each Trophy II will feature a unique camouflage livery that represents 23 locations the Defender has tackled in its expedition history. Underneath the livery is a body finished in white with a contrasting black roof and black exterior elements.

The special-edition model will be offered in 90 and 110 station wagon bodies as well as a 110 dual-cab pick-up. Just five pick-ups will be made while the remaining 20 models will be split between the 90 and 110.

It’s also ready to go off-road with features like an A-frame bull bar which houses a winch, a rear ladder that provides access to the roof rack and a full-width 1.27m LED light bar.

The starting price for a Trophy II comes to a whopping £225,000 ($NZ435,195). However, those who want to kit out their current Defender with some of the Trophy II’s aesthetic are in luck too as Land Rover Classic will be offering genuine accessories to customers later in 2022.