Land Rover Classic Defender V8: 300 Hours of Paintwork and Octa-Inspired Customization

Land Rover Classic offers restored versions of the original Defender through its Works Bespoke program, including highly dedicated paint finishes

Land Rover periodically reminds us that the old-school Defender is still available. The company’s Classic division sells the model through its Works Bespoke program. These are fully restored vehicles, built between 2012 and 2016. These cars are equipped with a stout 400-horsepower V8 engine.

Land Rover now allows buyers to match a Classic Defender’s paint to that of the beefiest modern Defender, the Octa. Each vehicle spends roughly 300 hours in the paint shop to achieve perfection. Available finishes include Petra Copper, Sargasso Blue, Faroe Green, or Narvik Black. Carpathian Grey and Charente Grey also remain part of the palette.

Luxury Details and Connection to the Modern Octa

All paint hues are available in either glossy or satin finish. Land Rover will also paint the grille glossy black. This echoes the Octa, while the model’s name script on the hood is made from “chopped carbon fiber”. Wheel options offer five designs, 11 finishes, and two sizes: 16 and 18 inches.

The connection to today’s Defender Octa continues inside. The Classic can be ordered with the same fabric and leather upholstery choices. Material colors include Burnt Sienna, Khaki Green, Light Cloud, Lunar, and Ebony. These shades can be extended to more areas. They cover the headliner, door cards, dashboard, transmission levers, and steering wheel.

Higher Price and Land Rover’s Own V8

The idea of mirroring the Octa’s customization options came from customers. Land Rover noticed some buyers were ordering the modern version. They were also commissioning a matching classic counterpart. The new Defender Octa starts at £148,045 in the UK before options. Its restored predecessor is notably pricier, coming in at £190,000.

The Classic Defender’s V8 is not borrowed from BMW. The Octa’s engine uses a twin-turbo 4.4-liter BMW unit. Instead, the Classic uses Land Rover’s own naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 mill. This engine produces 400 hp and 515 Nm (380 lb-ft) of torque. Power is delivered to the wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Mechanical Upgrades for Superior Performance

Land Rover Classic beefs up the brakes and tweaks the steering for the price. It also installs a new suspension to optimize performance. If the buyer prefers a brand-new vehicle that captures the spirit of the old Defender, the Ineos Grenadier is an option. Coincidentally, the Grenadier also uses BMW engines, just like the Octa.