Land Rover Reimagines the Defender with New V8 Soft Top Tribute

By shawn On 24/04/2025 at 19:03 0

The legend returns—only this time, with the roof off and a whole lot more muscle under the bonnet. Land Rover Classic has revived the Defender Soft Top, transforming select 2012–2016 90 chassis into luxury open-air beasts with a thundering V8 and bespoke craftsmanship. This is more than a nod to nostalgia—it's a full-blown celebration of the iconic off-roader’s most adventurous form.

It’s clear the world hasn’t fallen out of love with the original Land Rover Defender—and neither has Land Rover. Following a series of high-profile revivals including the Works V8 and Trophy Edition models, the marque’s Classic division is turning the page to a fresh chapter: the Defender V8 Soft Top. This reimagined icon brings the open-air adventure back in style, blending classic charm with serious engineering upgrades and a deep layer of bespoke craftsmanship.

A Tribute to the Open-Top Legacy

The last Defender to roll off the production line in 2016 was, fittingly, a soft top. That final flourish now serves as the spiritual blueprint for this new model, built under the stewardship of Land Rover Classic’s Works Bespoke division. Using original Defender 90 chassis units manufactured between 2012 and 2016, each vehicle undergoes an extensive transformation involving hundreds of hours of skilled craftsmanship. The result? A convertible Defender that not only pays homage to its roots but also elevates the entire concept with modern-day refinement.

Handcrafted Performance Meets Rugged Capability

Underneath the classic canvas roof lies a heart that beats with modern muscle. Powering the Defender Soft Top is Land Rover’s tried-and-tested 5.0-litre V8, tuned to produce 405 horsepower. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the setup delivers the kind of grunt that might feel slightly outrageous in a short-wheelbase off-roader, but that’s exactly the point. It's a celebration of raw performance and heritage styling, designed for those who crave something different.

To keep all that power in check, the Defender V8 Soft Top is kitted out with performance-focused hardware: Bilstein dampers, Alcon brakes, and Eibach anti-roll bars ensure it’s as composed on the road as it is capable off it. Still, let’s be real—this isn’t a car for canyon carving. It’s about presence, nostalgia, and open-air cruising, whether you’re heading for the coast or turning heads in the city.

Built for Personalization

Buyers aren’t just getting a V8-powered Defender—they’re getting a tailor-made experience. The canvas roof is available in four elegant shades: Navy, Dark Khaki, Sand, and Black. The exterior paint palette includes 49 colors as standard, but Land Rover Classic will gladly go the extra mile with a paint-to-sample option if none quite hit the mark.

Inside, the interior has been reworked with coastal luxury in mind. The showcased model features a duo-tone Caraway and Perlino leather trim, part of a broader selection of eight two-tone options and five single-color configurations. Want your Defender interior to match your beach house furniture? No problem. Land Rover Classic can customize everything from upholstery to accessories—even adding a built-in wine cooler or surfboard rack if that’s your vibe.

Inspired by a Classic, Engineered for the Modern Day

Design-wise, the new Soft Top takes cues from the rare North American Specification (NAS) 90 convertibles as well as that aforementioned 2016 finale. It’s engineered for flexibility, too. The rear and side sections of the soft top can be unzipped for a semi-open configuration, ideal for days when the weather’s teasing full sunshine. Additional roof tie-downs ensure stability at speed, while a clever ‘Bikini Hood’ setup provides a minimalist cover for relaxed beach cruising.

Dominic Elms, Managing Director at JLR Classic, summed it up perfectly: “With the Classic Defender V8 Soft Top, we provide an even greater opportunity to turn Classic Defender dreams into reality. Every vehicle is a collaboration between the brand and the customer—a one-to-one bespoke process designed to create something truly personal.”

Exclusive, Limited, and Undeniably Cool

While Land Rover hasn’t confirmed how many Soft Tops will be built, the starting price of £234,000 suggests exclusivity is part of the appeal. Each one will be a collector’s item, a weekend toy, or a nostalgic daily that stands out wherever it goes.

Want to see one in person? You’ll find it on display at the Bicester Heritage Sunday Scramble or at the Royal Windsor Horse Trials this May.