Gone but not forgotten Land Rover Classic is building 25 adventure-ready Defender Works V8 Trophy editions as a last hoorah to the iconic model.
If you fancy one, prices start from £195,000 for a short wheelbase 90 in the UK.
There’s just one catch, you won’t be able to register the car for road use in Australia.
Land Rover’s compliance approval for the vehicle was surrendered with the sale of the last of the old Defenders back in 2016.
But you may be able to import the vehicle privately under the low volume import rule that applies to grey imports.
The good news however is that as part of your purchase you will get to take part in an exclusive competition at Eastnor Castle in 2021.
The Trophy is based on the re-engineered 2012-2016 Defender Works V8 specification developed by Land Rover Classic.
It features a 5.0-litre V8 petrol powertrain, with 298kW of power and 515Nm of torque, 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and comprehensive uprated suspension, steering and braking packages — with a wide range of additional upgrades specifically tailored for off-road use.
Twenty-five examples of the Defender Works V8 Trophy, in a mixture of 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs, will be exclusively finished in a unique Eastnor Yellow paint colour with matching 16-inch steel rims.
Contrasting Narvik Black paintwork has been applied to the wheel arches, bonnet and rear door.
The purpose-built vehicles also receive LED headlights, Heritage front grille, unique Land Rover Trophy badging and event participation graphics personalised to each customer.
The Defender Works V8 Trophy is designed to tackle the most demanding endurance challenges.
Additional all-terrain kit includes a front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres.
Inside, the 4×4 benefits from full black Windsor leather upholstery with Recaro sports seats, contrasting yellow stitching and a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown.
Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity is also fitted.
Later this year, Defender Works V8 Trophy customers will be invited to compete in an exclusive three-day adventure at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire.
The castle is the spiritual home of Land Rover all-terrain training, testing and development, and it will be the first time customers get to drive their new car.
On seeing their Defender Works V8 Trophy, customers and co-drivers will make their first marks by adding their names and country flags to the vehicle.
They will then embark on a range of challenges inspired by famous global adventures and competitions spanning more than seven decades of Land Rover production.
Expert one-to-one tuition will be provided as part of the adventure, giving customers a unique opportunity to develop extreme driving techniques and skills in their own vehicle, before putting their training to the test.
Everyone will compete for a range of prizes, including a grand prize for the overall winner – to be announced later in 2021.
Familiar faces from Land Rover’s adventure heritage feature in the Defender Works V8 Trophy launch film, including racing driver, stunt driver and Land Rover ambassador Jessica Hawkins, alongside Camel Trophy participants such as 1989 event winner Bob Ives.
A number of these experts will also be on-hand at the Land Rover Trophy to share their knowledge and experiences.
The Land Rover Trophy event will be supported by the New Defender and carefully selected brand partners Elliot Brown, Fat Face and Musto, who have created complementary products specifically for Defender Works V8 Trophy customers.
Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 Trophy derivatives are now available to order direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £195,000 for a 90 in the UK.
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TECHNICAL DATA |
LAND ROVER DEFENDER WORKS V8 TROPHY |
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ENGINE & TRANSMISSION |
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Engine capacity (cc) |
4,999 |
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Cylinders |
V8 naturally-aspirated petrol (EU5) |
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Power kW (PS) |
298kW (405) @ 6,000rpm  |
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Torque (Nm) |
515 @ 5,000rpm |
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Transmission |
8-speed automatic with Pistol Shifter, All-Wheel Drive, two-speed transfer box, heavy-duty front and rear differentials, torque-biasing centre differential |
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CHASSIS |
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Front and rear suspension |
Front: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. Panhard rod and radius arms. Anti-roll bar |
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Front brakes |
Servo-assisted, 335mm discs, four-piston calipers |
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Rear brakes |
Servo-assisted, 300mm discs, four-piston calipers |
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Wheels and tyres |
16in heavy-duty steel wheels, 235/85 R16 mud-terrain tyres |
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Steering |
Recirculating ball, power-assisted |
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