Coventry, UK, 28 July 2022 – Land Rover Classic has launched 25 exclusive expedition inspired Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II vehicles and experience to honour its global off‑roading and exploration heritage.

For seven decades Land Rovers have been exploring paths previously inaccessible. Each vehicle has a unique camouflage representing 23 locations the legendary 4x4 has tackled over 70 years of adventuring history, including places from The Camel Trophy, The First Overland, and the G4 Challenge. The design also features a number of hidden Land Rovers and their iconic shape in silhouette for owners to identify: Can you find them all?

As well as the opportunity to purchase a unique collectible vehicle, customers are invited to take part in the second exclusive three‑day Land Rover Trophy competition. Land Rover Trophy allows our like‑minded customers to forge lasting friendships, make memories, and create their own patina on an unforgettable event. Customers will receive guidance from experts to compete in a series of points‑based off‑road challenges, inspired by our famous global adventures. After three days of competition, one team will walk away with a grand prize. Customers will create lasting memories and get acquainted with their vehicles in the most amazing way possible.

The unique camouflaged Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy models which honour Land Rover’s all‑terrain heritage, will be created using Defender models from 2012‑2016, stripped and rebuilt by hand to exacting standards and improved high specifications, developed exclusively by our dedicated team at Land Rover Classic.

Powered by Land Rover’s 5.0‑litre V8 petrol powertrain, producing 405PS and 515Nm of torque, the limited‑edition features an eight‑speed ZF automatic transmission. Each model undergoes a comprehensive rebuild with uprated suspension, steering enhancements and uprated brakes. It will be offered as a 90 and 110 Station Wagon bodies as well as a 110 Double Cab Pick‑Up for the first time on a Trophy model. In the production run of 25, Land Rover Classic will create only 5 Double Cab Pick‑ups, with the remaining 20 vehicles split between 90 and 110 Station Wagon body styles equally.

The exterior features a distinctive black and white theme, with a unique camouflage developed with the Design team at Land Rover Special Vehicles. The main body is finished in Fuji White with a contrasting Narvik Black roof and Gloss Black exterior elements, down to minute details including rivets, screws and vents. Gloss Black 18‑inch Sawtooth alloy wheels complement the theme.

The camouflage features 23 locations where Land Rover has conquered challenging terrain across more than 70 years of off‑roading exploration. These include historic off‑roading challenges, as well as more recent Land Rover expeditions in regions from South Africa and Laos to Peru.

A range of exterior enhancements ensures unstoppable all‑terrain performance. At the front, a protective A‑frame houses a winch ahead of a bespoke front grille. The black bonnet features a satin finish to reduces glare in bright conditions, while a powerful full‑width 1.27m LED light bar provides ultimate visibility in all‑terrain conditions at night.

The Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II has a 500mm wading depth, a rear recovery point and is finished with rock sliders and an external roll bar for added body protection. A rear ladder provides access to the expedition roof rack while subtle detailing includes Land Rover Trophy badging and white logo detail on the mudflaps.

Recaro sports seats are finished in high‑quality black and white Windsor leather with contrast stitching, combining support and comfort. Leather trim extends to the dashboard, doors and headlining, ensuring a handcrafted finish throughout.

Land Rover Classic’s modern Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity ensures the latest multimedia options are housed in the authentic dashboard. Land Rover’s ergonomic pistol shifter for the ZF automatic gearbox is also fitted for added control.

To finish off the interior a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown is the centre piece of the dashboard, with a unique face mirroring the exterior camouflage design. Elliot Brown is once again supplying Trophy owners with a unique, tough, Competitor’s Edition timepiece. Meanwhile, for those not lucky enough to secure one of the limited‑edition vehicles, Elliot Brown is releasing 1,000 watches inspired by the Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II.

Finally, for those looking to enhance their own Defender with some of the Works V8 Trophy II aesthetic, Land Rover Classic will be offering Trophy influenced Genuine Accessories to be announced later in 2022.

The 90, 110 and 110 Double Cab Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II derivatives are now available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £225,000 for a 90 in the UK.

ENDS

V8 Defender History

• V8 powertrains in the Land Rover Defender and its production predecessors started with the Series III Stage 1 V8 of 1979. The carburetted 3.5‑litre Rover V8 produced 90bhp.
• The Land Rover One Ten from 1983, and Ninety from 1984, used the same 3.5‑litre Rover V8 engine as the Series III Stage 1 V8, but in 113bhp form, uprated to 135bhp from 1987.
• For North American Specification (NAS) Defender 90s and 110s only, from 1992, a 182bhp fuel‑injected 3.9‑litre version of the Rover V8 was fitted, along with a four‑speed automatic transmission.
• In 1998, the fuel‑injected 190bhp 4.0‑litre V8 from the second‑generation Range Rover was fitted to a limited run of 50th Anniversary Defender 90s, with a four‑speed automatic transmission.
• 5.0‑litre naturally‑aspirated 2018 Defender Works V8 became the first official V8‑powered Land Rover Defender to be introduced since 1998.
• In February 2021 Land Rover Classic revealed the Land Rover Works V8 Trophy, with a choice of 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs, finished in unique Eastnor Yellow paintwork with Narvik Black details and body‑colour heavy‑duty steel wheels.
• In February 2021, Land Rover introduced a V8 powertrain into the New Defender 90 and 110. The new 525PS supercharged engine powers the fastest and most powerful production Defender ever made with 0‑60mph in 4.9 seconds and 149mph top speed.