Is the $250K+ Restomod of Land Rover’s New Defender V8 Soft Top Truly Worth It?

The wizards over at Land Rover Classic are once again performing their healing touch on a model from the carmaker's history. This time around, they're bringing back the Land Rover Defender V8 Soft Top. Naturally, several factors come into play. aftermarket companies These days, there are services that can restore and personalize an old Defender for you; however, Land Rover Classic is the sole entity that manufactures vehicles considered as a genuine factory build.

Each new Soft Top venture starts with a distinctive Solihull-made 2012-2016 Defender, which is completely disassembled and restructured from scratch. It might seem odd to restore such comparatively recent vehicles; however, remember that these particular Defenders weren’t exactly cutting-edge even when they were first manufactured during the previous decade.

Certainly, the powertrain gets a significant enhancement, with Land Rover installing a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine beneath the bonnet. This setup delivers robust performance metrics including 405 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, all managed via an eight-speed automatic gearbox from ZF. To put it succinctly, anticipate that this updated Defender will offer superior acceleration and a much more refined driving experience compared to any unmodified vintage models. However, one downside remains: you'll have to contend with today's Land Rover gear selector integrated into the classic-looking cabin, which appears somewhat out of place.

Land Rover mentions that the suspension system now features updated spring rates, new Bilstein shock absorbers, and Eibach anti-roll bars. Additionally, it comes equipped with bigger four-piston Alcon brakes designed to ensure effective stopping as the increased horsepower might cause the SUV to gain excessive speed.

Aesthetic considerations hold equal weight with functionality. The vehicle comes equipped with a removable fabric roof offered in four distinct hues, along with frames designed according to either North American Specification standards or "Bikini Hood" design preferences. For external coloring options, customers can select from an array of 49 conventional paint shades; however, those seeking a truly bespoke look may opt for custom-matched paints through their matching-samples service, allowing them to achieve virtually any desired hue. Additionally, wheel sizes ranging from 16 inches up to 18 inches are customizable, alongside various finishing choices for elements such as grilles, door handle trims, and emblematic hood scripts.

Inside, Land Rover offers five monochrome and eight dual-color interior leather choices. Additionally, you have the option to equip various quirky onboard features such as a wine chiller or surfboard holder. The side and rear portions of the roof can both be lowered individually for an open-air experience, and Land Rover mentions they've included additional anchor points in this design to ensure greater stability when securing the fabric during high-speed travel.

Certainly, perfectly refurbished Definers aren’t inexpensive, even when sourced directly from the manufacturer. Land Rover sets the price for the new Defender V8 Soft Top at £195,000, which equates to roughly $260,000 based on today’s currency values. Still, it does include a comprehensive one-year warranty covering an unlimited number of miles. Who’s up for a road trip then?

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