Land Rover Launches Rough, Ready, Retro Defender V8 Trophy Edition
This nostalgia-laden conversion of the old-school Defender is not cheap at $270,000, but only 25 people around the world will get one. None of them will be in the U.S.
- Land Rover’s Classic Division has released a limited run of 25 of the retro Defender Works V8 Trophy shown here, based on the now defunct old-school Defender.
- Among those produced will be both two-door (90) and four-door (110) models, all in the Eastnor Yellow color reminiscent of Camel Trophy entries of the 1980s and 1990s.
- Not surprisingly, this old-school SUV won’t be sold in the U.S.; Defender fans here will have to shop the 2021 Land Rover Defender instead.
Breaking up can be hard to do. Land Rover seems to be finding it particularly tough to split up with its most iconic model, launching another new edition of the Defender that officially retired five years ago. This is the limited-run Defender Works V8 Trophy.
Those Were the Days
Don’t think that this is an alternative to the new and much more advanced Defender that went on sale last year. The Works V8 Trophy is a product of Land Rover’s Classic Division, and the limited run of 25 will all be based on existing chassis. In other words, they’re aftermarket conversions. Both short-wheelbase two-door 90 and long-wheelbase four-door 110 station wagons will be produced, with power coming from a naturally aspirated version of JLR’s 5.0-liter V-8 making 399 horsepower and 379 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox will also be standard, something no original Defender left the factory with.
The new power output is similarly non-prototypical. Most of the original Defenders were sold in Europe with a variety of four- and five- cylinder turbo-diesel engines, but the U.S. did get a version fitted with the long-lived 3.5-liter pushrod V-8 that Rover acquired from Buick in the Sixties. So equipped, the 1997 U.S. spec Defender had 182 horsepower and drove through a four-speed automatic gearbox. Land Rover has previously offered this 5.0-liter conversion with the Defender Works V8, which we drove in the U.K. back in 2018, and which the company claims is capable of dispatching the zero-to-60-mph benchmark in just 5.6 seconds in short-wheelbase form.
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The obvious difference between the earlier Works V8 and the Works V8 Trophy is the custard yellow paint scheme of the new car referencing the Camel Trophy that ran between 1980 and 2000, and which Land Rover supplied vehicles for. The cigarette sponsorship has obviously gone—and the color is now referred to as Eastnor Yellow, after Land Rover’s English test center—but the connection to the adventurous event is further emphasized by a substantial external roll cage and additional underbody protection, a raised air intake, and an electric winch. Other mechanical changes from the base Defender include bigger brakes and new telescopic dampers.
Sadly for U.S. buyers, the Works V8 Trophy won’t be sold here, due to the base Defender’s lack of federal approval. For U.S. buyers looking for a reworked classic Defender, there are several options using cars old enough to be legally brought into the country. British tuner Twisted produces both a version powered by a 6.2-liter GM V-8 and a fully electrified version.
Deluxe British Boxes
But, in those parts of the world that will be able to buy it—Europe, Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Africa—it will cost a substantial $270,000 at current exchange rates. That is a significant increase over the approximate price of $210,000 that Land Rover Classic charged for the last Works V8, although buyers will have the chance to drive the vehicles at a three-day event at Eastnor, which the company says will help them to «create their own stories, battle scars, and patina.» That’s some expensive patina.
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Defender Retro Classic
B orn out of that art deco age of retro design the iconic Land Rover has stood the test of time so begs to be mixed up to give a modern level of comfort and design while carrying that retro look and feel for those who love a life of creativity and flamboyance.
Our design studios have put together this great TDci 7 seat Defender with all the mods of a current XS wagon but celebrating the previous 60 years or so of style that has become the roots of inspiration for all to follow.
Our resulting Retro 110 wagon gives you a hint of what can be done. We now invite you to journey with us to create your own Retro Classic edition based around any vintage of Land Rover past or present.
Our founder Andrew Harrison-Smith has a connection with these great vehicles all his life. Almost born into the back of the family farm’s Series I, his first drive at 7 years old and never being far from a Land Rover through his working life. Obviously the second chapter of some 30 years has been a strong professional connection running the farm and Nene Overland.
Let the journey go on, Andrew’s creativity awaits your lead to turn out another take on our Retro Classic. Just remember it could be a current, recent or even a Series Rover left or right hand drive, powered by the simplest to the meanest motor.
Exterior Pack
- Based on current model 110 XS TDci 7 seater Wagon
- Stock 2.2/2.4 TDci tuning ECU power upgrade
- Tamar classic Land Rover non metallic blue or give us the lead on any colour choice from the last 60 years of Land Rover
- Stock 6 speed manual with Automatic gearbox options
- Retro classic side runners coded in Fuji white
- Fuji white roof
- Optional Hannibal safari roof rack coded in Fuji white
- Fuji white 18″ I sport alloys with BFG AT tyres
- Fuji white rear tow step protection bar and cover plate
- Reworked series light surrounds, covers and classic retro silver grille
- Series silver front bumper and matching mirror heads
Interior Pack
- RETRO classic creative design interior appointments
- Deco blue hide covering all seats, cubby box with matching deep cushioned arm rest with white contrast stitch
- Electric blue flocked rear seat cards throughout
- Deco blue leather dash top covers and arm rest (optional)
- Fully colour coded dash board assembly in Tamar blue
- Fully colour coded door cards with Fuji white grab handles
- Fuji white centre dash console
- Retro polished alloy steering wheel, matching deco blue leather cover
- Retro design radio CD player and head unit
- Optional sound and amplifier upgrades to suit
- SVX polished alloy gear lever set
Performance Pack
- 2.2litre and 2.4litre TDci 4 cyl 120bhp (up to 160bhp with ECU remap and other performance tuning enhancements)
- 3.2litre TDci 5 cyl 280bhp
- 2.5litre TD5 5cyl 120bhp (up to 160bhp with ECU remap and other performance tuning enhancements)
- 2.5litre 300TDi 4cyl 111bhp (up to 140bhp with performance tuning enhancements)
- 4.0litre Land Rover V8 180bhp (up to 250bhp with ECU remap and other performance tuning enhancements)
- 5.0litre Ford Racing V8 470bhp (up to 600bhp with supercharger)
- 6.2litre LS V8
- 6.4litre HEMI 470bhp
- 4 or 5 speed automatic transmission
- 6 speed manual transmission
- Paddle Shift
OTHER TUNING ENHANCEMENTS
- Bespoke variable vane hi performance Owen Turbo options
- Stainless sports exhaust system
- High flow intercooler and silicon hose kit
- High flow performance air cleaner
- Tuning variable performance ECU remap
Handling Pack
- Fox V2 adjustable gas shock absorbers
- Heavy duty rear anti-roll bar system
- Lowered progressive road springs
- Fast centre-return steering damper
- Stiffened polyurethane suspension bush kit
- Alcon 6-pot front brake callipers with 380mm vented brake rotors
- EBC rear performance brake discs and callipers all driven by dot 5.1 brake fluid fitted with green stuff pads
Other Options
- Headlight upgrades for style and better lighting functions
- Crystal white marker and indicator light options, rear light upgrade options
- Rear heavy duty external wheel carriers and swinging tail gate upgrades
- Full length or cab only Hannibal alloy expedition roof rack systems
- Vast range of roof tents and associated equipment for above
- Privacy glass options, various grades of tint available
- Range of Recaro and Exmoor sports, comfort seating,cloth and leather
- Cabin sound deadening systems to aid a quieter driving experience
- Vast range of entertainment and communication systems
- Momo steering wheel options, colour coding options
- Sat Nav double din head unit with bespoke centre dash panels or dash top mounted Sat Nav systems
- Range of 18 to 20″ alloy wheel/tyre combinations. BFG or Cooper
- Range of soft back convertible options, cab only or full body
- Two tone mohair roof and back panel styling options
- Panoramic roof glass, sun roof options
- All of our Defender bespoke editions can be crafted from pre-owned or new Defender 90, 110 or 130 double cab and either left or right hand drive
Land Rover представила первый «ностальгический» Classic Defender
Компания Land Rover выпустила ретроверсию классического Defender. Внедорожник получил название Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition. Оно отсылает к одному из важнейших мест в истории Land Rover — шотландскому острову Айлей. Всего будет выпущено три десятка таких машин. Все будут окрашены в стиле Land Rover Series IIa 1965 года, личного автомобиля Спенсера Уилкса, одного из создателей культового внедорожника.
Считается, что имя Land Rover родилось на живописных просторах острова Айлей, где находилось поместье управляющего директора Rover Спенсера Уилкса. Здесь, на архипелаге Внутренние Гебриды, тестировали первые прототипы внедорожника. По легенде, когда егерь поместья Лагган Ян Дункан увидел один из этих автомобилей, он спросил, не Land Rover ли это, в смысле «Ровер» для бездорожья, — собственно с этого и началась история марки. Важность этих мест отражена и в новом Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition — первой винтажной версии Defender от отделения Land Rover Classic.
Тираж тематического внедорожника составит 30 экземпляров: 17 будут с коротким кузовом, 13 — с длинным. Их построят на базе донорских машин 2012—2016 годов выпуска. Двигатель и трансмиссию позаимствуют у юбилейного Classic Defender Works V8 — это атмосферная «восьмёрка» 5.0 (405 л.с., 515 Нм) и восьмиступенчатый автомат ZF. До 60 миль в час (97 км/ч) такой Defender сможет разгоняться за 5,6 секунды, максималка — 171 километр в час.
К тому же внедорожникам переберут подвеску — заменят пружины и амортизаторы, а также поставят усиленные тормоза. При этом внешне каждый Defender Works V8 Islay Edition будет напоминать личную машину Спенсера Уилкса — Land Rover Series IIa 1965 года. Кузов окрасят в серый Heritage Grey, крышу и колёса — в цвет известняка. Дополнит ретрообраз решётка радиатора от Defender Heritage и надпись GXC 639C на левом переднем крыле, отсылающая к регистрационному номеру машины Уилкса.
Современный Land Rover Defender превратили в ретро-внедорожник
Дочерняя компания ателье Project Kahn, мастерская Chelsea Truck Company, которая специализируется на доработке британских внедорожников Land Rover и Range Rover, представила свой очередной проект — модель Heritage Remastered, выполненную в ретро-стиле оригинальных Land Rover. В частности, для современной модели выбрали оформление в стиле первого в истории серийного Land Rover, известного своим номерным знаком «HUE 166». Особенностью модели стал внешний вид.
Тюнеры создали новый передний бампер, в который интегрирована весьма специфическая решётка радиатора а-ля первый Land Rover. Дополняют этот элемент дизайна накладки на колёсные арки, окрашенные в цвет кузова 22-дюймовые диски British Heritage RS-Forged и, собственно, сама краска автомобиля в ретро-стиле.
Все модели Heritage Remastered имеют окрашенную в контрастный оттенок цвета слоновой кости крышу, а также футляр запасного колеса с индексами «90» или «110» — аналогичные числа нанесены и на решётку радиатора — в зависимости от базовой модели, трёхдверного Defender 90 и пятидверного Defender 110.
Что касается доработок двигателя и прочего механического тюнинга, то их не предлагается вовсе. А для интерьера предложена лишь замена обивки на новую кожу Saddle Tan или материал Vintage Cloth Houndstooth по выбору клиента.