Go bespoke with soft top
An icon is back with the launch of the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top.
Soft-top examples of the classic Defender are highly sought after so this new addition makes it possible to own a personalised example of this model from the official home of its classic.
Exclusively available on the short-wheelbase 90 chassis, the first Defender with a soft top since 2016 follows the introduction of the works bespoke service in 2024.
Each example is the result of hundreds of hours of work by experts. The process begins with a specially sourced donor vehicle, originally produced from 2012-16, which is re-engineered. The result is a unique car made to OEM standards with longevity, luxury and capability in mind.
A bespoke canvas hood ensures a perfect fit and is available in four colours, with black as standard and sand, dark khaki and navy also available.
Its unique design is inspired by the hood fitted to the final Defender to roll off the production line in 2016, and features authentic tie downs and webbing.
The side and rear sections can be unzipped and rolled up for open-air driving while retaining a degree of protection from the elements, while Land Rover Classic has added extra tie-down points to keep the canvas secured at highway speeds.
The hood frame has been designed for the new model with bracing that takes its inspiration from the original North American Specification 90. A smaller “bikini hood” is also available in the same colours, protecting the front-seat occupants.
A selection of 49 paint finishes allows clients to create their own look, while the works bespoke match-to-sample service allows owners to create individual paint schemes.
Clients can personalise an array of exterior and interior details to bring their soft-top vision to life, including the grille, door handles and bonnet script, while a choice of 16-inch wolf wheels or 18-inch sawtooth alloys is available – the former finished in black or limestone.
Inside, there are five monotone or eight duo-tone leather options to choose from plus any number of other bespoke finishes. Unusual options and accessories include an onboard wine cooler and a custom surfboard rack.
All Classic Defender V8 soft tops are powered by a Land Rover five-litre petrol engine with 302kW of power and 515Nm of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The V8 power is accompanied by uprated suspension and brakes. The suspension set-up is tailored to the car’s characteristics and combines Defender capability with comfort in all environments.
Its revised coil spring rates, Eibach anti-roll bars and Bilstein dampers have undergone comprehensive testing and development to ensure they meet OEM standards. The brakes have been uprated to four-piston Alcon units with front discs measuring 335mm in diameter and 300mm at the rear.
Dedicated personalised support is provided by specialist teams at Land Rover Classic in Coventry, England, and Essen, Germany. As for the price tag, that starts from £195,000 – or around NZ$437,000 – plus applicable local taxes. Every example comes with a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
