Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover Defender Works V8 Islay Edition: £230,000 classic off-roader unveiled

Land Rover has revived the classic Defender with a V8-engined special edition limited to just 30 units

The reborn Defender represented a gamble for Land Rover, a bold push forwards with an all-new design and construction for its iconic off-roader, but the brand hasn’t quite finished with the original yet. A series of limited-run old-style Defenders is being developed by the firm’s Classic division, the first of which is the V8-powered, £230,000 Islay Edition.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Taking cues from the 1965 Series II Defender owned by Spencer Wilks, one of the company’s founders, each Islay Edition is fully restored and uprated with the same mechanicals as the Defender Works V8 from 2018. The name is inspired by the original Land Rover from the late 1940s, which underwent development on the Scottish Isle of Islay with Wilks at the wheel.

Given that the final ‘classic’ Defender was built way back in 2016, Land Rover is using donor cars from the final years of production to create the Islay Edition, making it essentially a factory-built restomod of sorts. That goes some way to explain the high asking price and low production numbers, with each car requiring a comprehensive rebuild and refinishing to Islay Edition spec. 

Build numbers will be split between short-wheelbase ‘90’ models and the more versatile ‘110’ (costing an extra £15,000), each painted in Heritage grey with cream steel wheels and classic-style badging. The front end features a body-coloured mesh grille and headlight surrounds, but the retro design is underpinned by choice modern touches. These include LED headlights, beefier brakes and uprated suspension – useful given the Islay Edition’s hard-hitting 5-litre V8 motor. 

Generating 399bhp and 380lb ft of torque, there’s nothing old-school about the Islay Edition’s performance – it sprints from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, or just a shade slower than a Honda Civic Type R. Power is sent to all four wheels through an 8spd ZF automatic gearbox, a two-speed transfer box and a torque distributing centre diff, with live axles and a recirculating ball steering system remaining as relics of the original Land Rover.

The cabin is trimmed in black Windsor leather with various nods to the original prototypes and the Isle of Islay itself. There’s tweed-like fabric trim on the seats and door cards, oak veneer inlays and an Islay Edition plaque, along with a unique wood-crafted insert within the centre armrest paying tribute to the Scottish island.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy isn’t quite a half-price Octa
Defender Trophy Edition front
News

New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy isn’t quite a half-price Octa

This rough and ready Defender calls back to this utilitarian icon’s rich off-road history
19 Jun 2025
Bentley Bentayga Speed 2025 review – should the Aston Martin DBX need to worry?
Bentley Bentayga Speed – front
Reviews

Bentley Bentayga Speed 2025 review – should the Aston Martin DBX need to worry?

The Bentley Bentayga Speed no longer uses a W12 engine, in its place a retuned twin-turbo V8 and some clever dynamic hardware and software. Is it a ma…
16 Jun 2025
2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed targets Range Rover Sport SV and avoids hybrid power
2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed – front
News

2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed targets Range Rover Sport SV and avoids hybrid power

Powered by a V8 without any electrical augmentation, the 641bhp Bentayga Speed is claimed by Bentley to be the most dynamic yet
2 Jun 2025
Land Rover Defender updated for 2026… without a proper facelift
2026 Land Rover Defender Octa
News

Land Rover Defender updated for 2026… without a proper facelift

Some new options and an updated infotainment are all that’s needed to keep the Defender fresh for 2026
27 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£20k off a BMW M4 Competition – save a fifth on the best current M car
BMW M4 discount
News

£20k off a BMW M4 Competition – save a fifth on the best current M car

The BMW M2 is the M car of choice, at least at full price. When new M4s can be had with a 20 per cent discount, that complicates things
19 Jun 2025
The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is a hot hatch we’ve waited a decade for
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 – front
News

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is a hot hatch we’ve waited a decade for

Volkswagen is finally letting the Mk8 Golf GTI off its leash with a hardcore, track-honed version called the Edition 50. If it’s anywhere near as bril…
20 Jun 2025
Caterham 310 Encore is the end of the line for the Ford 1.6
Caterham Seven 310 Encore
News

Caterham 310 Encore is the end of the line for the Ford 1.6

It’s goodbye and goodnight for the Caterham Seven 310, with the 25-strong run of 310 Encores serving as the final farewell
11 Jun 2025