The story of the current Land Rover Defender is not quite over – 150 ’70th Edition’ models are to be made available, at a cool £150,000 each.
Ahead of the launch of the next-generation Defender, predicted for 2019, Land Rover Classic is going to “re-engineer” 150 used vehicles for the project celebrating the 70th anniversary of Land Rover. The Defender was withdrawn from sale in January 2016 after a production run traceable directly back to the original Land Rover of 1948.
The major focus of the 70th Edition model is the addition of the first V8 engine seen in a Defender since 1998. The 5.0-litre unit puts out 405hp and 515Nm of torque. This compares to 122hp and 360Nm of the last of the regular Defenders, and makes the anniversary version the fastest Defender ever created by Land Rover – 0-62mph time is quoted at 5.6 seconds.
The engine will be combined with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with a sport mode. A handling kit of beefed-up springs, dampers and roll bars will be added, and uprated brakes fitted behind 18-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.
The 70th Edition will be available in a choice of eight body colours, including a pair of satin finishes. Machined aluminium will also feature on the door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering, along with bi-LED headlamps.
Inside the 70th Edition gains a full leather interior trim, applied to the dashboard, door panels, headlining and Recaro sports seats. A bespoke infotainment system from the Land Rover Classic department is also fitted.
Land Rover intends to offer the 70th Edition in both the 90 and 110 wheelbase lengths. All will be sold direct by Land Rover Classic, UK prices starting from £150,000 for a 90 version.
