Land Rover Classic has reignited the passion of off-road enthusiasts with the launch of the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top, unveiled on April 24, 2025. This open-air masterpiece, the first soft-top Defender since 2016, blends nostalgic charm with modern engineering, redefining luxury and adventure for a new generation of Defender purists.
The bespoke canvas hood, inspired by the final 2016 production Defender, is available in four colors: Black, Sand, Dark Khaki, or Navy. With authentic tie-downs and roll-up sides, it offers open-air freedom while maintaining structural integrity at highway speeds. The design pays homage to the coveted North American Specification (NAS) 90 convertibles of the 1990s, a collector’s favorite.
Underneath, the Defender is as capable as it is luxurious. Uprated suspension with Eibach anti-roll bars, Bilstein dampers, and revised coil springs ensures a balance of off-road grit and on-road comfort. Four-piston Alcon brakes with 335mm front and 300mm rear discs provide confident stopping power, while the four-wheel-drive system retains the Defender’s legendary terrain-tackling ability.
Land Rover Classic Defender V8 Soft Top: Built for Today
Starting with carefully selected donor vehicles from 2012–2016, each Classic Defender V8 Soft Top is meticulously hand-built at Land Rover’s Solihull plant in the UK or Essen, Germany. The short-wheelbase “90” chassis serves as the canvas for a comprehensive restoration, enhanced with a roaring 5.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 405 horsepower and 515 Nm of torque. Paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, it sprints from 0-60 mph in just 5.6 seconds—a far cry from the original Defender’s leisurely pace.
The bespoke canvas hood, inspired by the final 2016 production Defender, is available in four colors: Black, Sand, Dark Khaki, or Navy. With authentic tie-downs and roll-up sides, it offers open-air freedom while maintaining structural integrity at highway speeds. The design pays homage to the coveted North American Specification (NAS) 90 convertibles of the 1990s, a collector’s favorite.
Bespoke Craftsmanship Meets Modern Performance
Land Rover Classic’s Works Bespoke service allows buyers to personalize nearly every detail. Choose from over 40 exterior paint finishes, 13 leather interior combinations (including Caraway, Liberty Blue, and Garnet), and unique accessories like a wine cooler or surfboard rack. Wheel options include 16-inch Wolf alloys for off-road prowess or 18-inch Sawtooth alloys for a sportier look.Underneath, the Defender is as capable as it is luxurious. Uprated suspension with Eibach anti-roll bars, Bilstein dampers, and revised coil springs ensures a balance of off-road grit and on-road comfort. Four-piston Alcon brakes with 335mm front and 300mm rear discs provide confident stopping power, while the four-wheel-drive system retains the Defender’s legendary terrain-tackling ability.
