A V8 Soft Top Defender Is Back—And It’s Bloody Gorgeous

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Right then. If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising open roads in a Defender with the roof off, V8 rumbling like distant thunder … read on!

Land Rover Classic has just pulled the wraps off something special: the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top. In plain English? It’s the return of the most desirable Defender variant ever made. Hand-built, V8-powered, and roof-optional. This is not a modern wannabe—it’s based on the real deal, original Defenders built in Solihull.

The Soft Top Is Back

Soft-top Defenders have always been in demand. From the legendary NAS 90s of the ‘90s to the last ragtops that rolled out in 2016, they’ve had cult status for years. Now, for the first time since then, Land Rover Classic is officially offering one again—built under their new Works Bespoke programme that launched last year.

Only available on the short-wheelbase ‘90’ chassis, the new Soft Top mixes proper off-road grit with top-down freedom. It’s not a toy or a tribute. It’s the real thing, reborn.

Every unit starts life as a Defender built between 2012 and 2016, cherry-picked by the Classic team. Then it’s stripped down and rebuilt—piece by piece—to modern OEM standards. The result: a Defender that drives better, rides smoother, and looks sharper than ever.

V8 Power, Naturally

Under the bonnet? A proper 5.0-litre petrol V8. 405 horsepower. 515Nm of torque. Bolted to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. That’s right—this thing moves. Smoothly. Effortlessly. And loudly, if you ask nicely.

To keep things tidy when the hammer drops, Land Rover has uprated the suspension and brakes, too. You’re looking at revised coil spring rates, Bilstein dampers, and Eibach anti-roll bars, all tuned specifically for the 90 Soft Top. The anchors are Alcon four-piston units—335mm up front, 300mm at the rear—so stopping isn’t optional, it’s immediate.

Canvas, Colour, and Character

Let’s talk tops. The Soft Top hood is bespoke—designed to mirror the final factory ragtop from 2016. Four colours: Black (standard), Sand, Dark Khaki, and Navy. The whole thing zips, rolls, folds, and fastens with authentic tie-downs and webbing, and Land Rover even added extra securing points to keep it from flapping about at motorway speeds.

Fancy something sleeker? Go for the Bikini Hood. It just covers the front seats and comes in all the same colours.

Paint? You’ve got 49 shades to choose from, or they’ll match whatever sample you bring in. Your call. Want it in moss green to match your old Series truck? Done. Bright orange? Still done.

As Dominic Elms, Director at Land Rover Classic, put it:

“With the Classic Defender V8 Soft Top, we provide an even greater opportunity to turn Classic Defender V8 dreams into reality. At Land Rover Classic we work with clients to provide a one‑to‑one bespoke service, so they can enjoy their vehicle safe in the knowledge it has been designed and engineered exclusively for them, by the original manufacturer – the people who know it best.”

Build It Your Way

Customisation is the name of the game here. Grille, door handles, bonnet script—all up for grabs. Wheels? Take your pick between 16-inch Wolf wheels (in Black or Limestone) or 18-inch Sawtooths. The interior is just as versatile: five monotone leather options, eight duo-tone combos, and custom finishes ranging from classic to “hang on, you put what in there?”

We’re talking onboard wine coolers, custom surfboard racks, and pretty much anything else you can dream up. If your Defender vision includes Garnet red leather and a coffee machine in the back, it’s probably doable.

So What’s the Damage?

It starts at £195,000, plus whatever taxes your corner of the world adds. Every build gets a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and support comes from the folks who built it—either at Land Rover Classic in Coventry or their base in Essen, Germany.

No two will be the same. That’s kind of the point.

Final Word

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s resurrection. The Classic Defender V8 Soft Top is loud, fast, and entirely bespoke—built by the people who made the originals, for people who actually use them. If you’re the sort of driver who’d rather sip coffee under canvas than read about lifestyle trends in a brochure, this one’s for you.

If I had the coin, I’d be ordering mine in Trident Green with a Sand canvas top, Black leather upholstery and canvas seat covers.

And yes, I’d drive it like I stole it.

LAND ROVER CLASSIC