Check out this 70th anniversary limited edition V8 Land Rover Defender

There are so many aftermarket tuners out there that have been turning out pretty amazing Land Rover Defenders. It’s their popularity perhaps that has urged the automaker itself to join the throng. In fact, Jaguar Land Rover’s Classic division has built 150 old-style Defenders right in the outskirts of Coventry.

The special edition Defender was made to celebrate 70 years of the iconic off-roader in 2018, before an all new version of the vehicle makes its debut. It’s said to look very different from the current version.

Under the hood of the Defender Works V8 is a 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V8. This carries out as much as 405 horsepower and 515 Newton-metres (380 pound-feet) of torque. This makes it the most powerful officially sanctioned Defender to hit the road. In just 5.6 seconds, it will reach 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) from a standstill, and is capable of hitting a maximum limited top speed of 106 miles per hour (170 kilometers per hour).

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic director, said that the Jaguar Land Rover has been out in the public for a total of 70 years now since the very first time it made an appearance. And it is only fitting that they are able to release its full potential today, where its shape remains synonymous with Land Rover.

The V8 Defender was first discussed by the automaker in 2014, when the Defender was being built in Solihull. And this is because they knew that there was a market for a faster and more powerful Defender. The Land Rover authenticity is the perfect finishing touch for discerning clients who purchase this collector’s edition Defenders.

Moreover, the Defender Works V8 gets an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with several modes including sport mode where the brakes and handling work better, while it sits on an 18-inch diamond turned Sawtooth alloy wheels wrapped in 165/65 R18 all terrain tires. Customers can get this in eight standard body colours including two satin finishes. To make it really stand out, it is painted in a contrasting Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille, while the aluminum door handles are finished in machined aluminum door. Up front are new LED headlamps that make it look cooler.

All in all, there will be 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives that customers can directly get from Land Rover Classic. The 90 version will be priced from £150,000 ($206,600) in the UK but expect a bit more for the 110 version.

The Land Rover Classic tuned Defender will be available in Europe, Middle East, and North Africa.

PRESS RELEASE

DEFENDER LIVES ON: LAND ROVER LAUNCHES V8 EDITION TO CELEBRATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Land Rover today announces a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70th anniversary in 2018.

The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today.

Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 405PS and 515 Nm of torque (the standard Defender delivered 122PS and 360 Nm). The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6sec*, while top speed is increased to 106mph.

“It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time. "The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.

The V8 powertrain will be fitted to 150 specially-selected and re-engineered Defenders for the 70th Edition, complemented by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with sport mode, uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, dampers and anti-roll bars), plus exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.

Eight standard body colours include two satin finishes – contrasting with a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille – finished with machined aluminium door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering. A comprehensive lighting upgrade includes bi-LED headlamps.

Full Windsor Leather interior trim covers the dashboard, door panels, headlining and Recaro sports seats. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System is also fitted.

Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £150,000 for a 90 in the UK.

A select number of upgrades inspired by Defender Works V8 will also be available to purchase soon from Land Rover Classic, including power upgrades for the TDCi diesel engine, high-performance suspension and braking kits.

Land Rover intends to continue the Defender lineage and will use its technology, pioneering engineering capability and design expertise to ensure the longevity of the Defender name.

The all-new Defender is subject to further announcements.