Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover Classic reveals £195,000 Defender Works V8 Trophy

The original Defender is back, with Land Rover Classic revealing the Defender Works V8 Trophy

The new Land Rover Defender has been on the road for nearly two years now, but for those who are only interested in one of a more classical nature, Land Rover Classic might have the SUV for you. The new-build classic Defender Works V8 Trophy will be limited to just 25 units, and costs from £195,000. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The continuation build has its foundations in the Defender Works project launched in 2018, but comes with significantly more power from JLR’s naturally aspirated 5-litre V8. Peak performance figures are rated at 399bhp and 380lb ft of which are sent to Land Rover’s typical four-wheel drive system via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Though somewhat irrelevant in such a car, performance figures are likely to be similar to the previous Defender Works which posted a 5.6sec 0-60mph time and limited 106mph top speed.

> Land Rover Defender Works – celebrating 70 years of the iconic model

This new run has been created to celebrate the Defenders that embarked on incredible expeditions around the globe since the Defender moniker appeared in 1983. As a result, it comes equipped with a handful of additional kit, such as reinforced front and rear differentials, beefy four-piston brake calipers front and rear and upgraded suspension. There’s also a tow-rated winch mounted to the front bar, enhanced underbody protection, a raised intake and powerful LED lighting, possibly making the V8 Trophy the ultimate expedition Defender to come out from a factory gate. 

Buyer of the V8 Trophy will also be taken onto a three-day Trophy adventure drive at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, the home of testing and development for the marque. 

Available in both 90 and 110 form, all Defender Works V8 Trophys will be finished in a bespoke Eastnor Yellow finish with body-coloured 16-inch steel wheels. A black leather cabin complete with Recaro sports seats finishes off the interior’s updates, with Land Rover’s own infotainment system also fitted to aid navigation.

Both derivatives are available to order now, with prices starting from £195,000, a £45,000 premium over the 2018 Land Rover Defender Works. These prices might sound extortionate for what is a classic Land Rover Defender, but given their hand-built nature will feel worth every penny to their passionate buyers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Land Rover Defender Dakar is a 626bhp race car for the road, with ‘Flight mode’
Land Rover Defender Dakar
News

The Land Rover Defender Dakar is a 626bhp race car for the road, with ‘Flight mode’

As if the Defender Octa wasn’t enough, Land Rover has created the road-going Defender Dakar to celebrate the success of its race-winning D7X-R
17 Aug 2026
Land Rover Defender review – a cheaper alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser?
Land Rover Defender 90 P400 – tracking
In-depth reviews

Land Rover Defender review – a cheaper alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser?

The Defender isn’t a typical evo car, but it's something we’d gladly have sat in the garage next to one
6 Aug 2026
Land Rover Defender V8 (2021 - 2026) review – Britain's Mercedes G63 rival is no more
Land Rover Defender V8
Reviews

Land Rover Defender V8 (2021 - 2026) review – Britain's Mercedes G63 rival is no more

The V8-equipped Land Rover Defender has always been an odd model in the lineup, but now it's gone, will we miss it?
28 Jul 2026
Land Rover kills the supercharged V8 and neuters the Defender Octa to meet emissions regs
Land Rover Defender Octa MY27
News

Land Rover kills the supercharged V8 and neuters the Defender Octa to meet emissions regs

Land Rover’s biggest seller is getting a later-than-expected nip and tuck facelift before the end of 2026.
8 Jul 2026
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Puma review – the best-seller that’s still no patch on the Fiesta
Ford Puma
In-depth reviews

Ford Puma review – the best-seller that’s still no patch on the Fiesta

The Ford Puma melds some of the Fiesta’s charm with big-selling crossover form factor, but we still miss a proper small Ford hatch
21 Aug 2026
Lotus Exige V6 (S3, 2011-2021) review – a mini supercar for Golf GTI money
Lotus Exige S V6
In-depth reviews

Lotus Exige V6 (S3, 2011-2021) review – a mini supercar for Golf GTI money

For the S3 generation the Lotus Exige got a lot brawnier, trading the four-cylinder engines it had hitherto utilised for a supercharged Toyota V6
21 Aug 2026
BMW i3 Touring spied – will this be the most desirable daily EV?
BMW i3 Touring
News

BMW i3 Touring spied – will this be the most desirable daily EV?

BMW will expand its i3 offering in all the usual ways it does with the 3-series. The upcoming Touring has been spied testing with a thin disguise
19 Aug 2026