Land Rover Classic brings back the Defender V8 Soft Top for an eye-watering price.
Land Rover enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as Land Rover Classic officially announces the triumphant return of a legendary vehicle—the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top. This revival marks the first Defender Soft Top since 2016, bringing back one of the most coveted and sought-after variants of the iconic off-roader. However, these are not ‘new’ from factory, but taken from donor cars and re-engineered for the road in 2025.
A Legendary 4×4 Returns with Unmatched Customization
Available exclusively on the short-wheelbase ’90’ chassis, the new Soft Top offers discerning clients the opportunity to own a highly personalized version of this legendary 4×4 direct from the official home of classic Defenders. This limited production vehicle combines the exhilarating joy of open-air driving with the legendary Defender’s renowned off-road capabilities.
Each Classic Defender V8 Soft Top undergoes hundreds of hours of meticulous engineering by Land Rover Classic‘s expert team. The transformation begins with specially sourced donor vehicles from the 2012-2016 production years, which are comprehensively enhanced and reengineered to OEM standards with durability, luxury, and performance in mind.
Bespoke Customization Options for the Discerning Owner
The bespoke canvas hood, available in Black (standard), Sand, Dark Khaki, and Navy, pays homage to the last Defender that rolled off the production line in 2016. Its thoughtful design includes authentic tie-downs and webbing, with side and rear sections that can be unzipped and rolled up for a versatile open-air experience.
For those seeking even more exclusivity, the customization options are virtually limitless:
- 49 standard paint finishes plus match-to-sample color service
- Personalized exterior details including grille, door handles, and bonnet script
- Choice of 16-inch Wolf wheels or 18-inch Sawtooth alloys
- Five monotone or eight duo-tone premium leather interior options
- Unique lifestyle accessories including wine coolers and custom surfboard racks
Powerful V8 Performance Meets Off-Road Capability
Under the hood, every Classic Defender V8 Soft Top houses Land Rover’s formidable 5.0-liter petrol V8 engine, delivering an impressive 405hp and 515Nm of torque. This potent powertrain pairs with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission for seamless power delivery and precise control both on and off the road.
The vehicle’s performance credentials are further enhanced by specially tailored suspension and upgraded braking systems. The bespoke suspension setup features revised coil spring rates, Eibach anti-roll bars, and Bilstein dampers—all extensively tested to meet OEM standards while balancing traditional Defender capability with superior comfort across all terrains. The upgraded Alcon four-piston brake system, with 335mm front and 300mm rear discs, ensures confident stopping power in all conditions.
Here’s the issue. The car starts at £195,000 (or RM1.1M) and that is before any excise duties or import taxes or customizations. You get just a 1 year warranty with that package and that’s mostly for European coverage at this moment. Still, if you’re interested, you can speak to a salesperson at Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia and they would be happy to arrange things for you.
