$400,000 Land Rover Defender Classic Lands in Australia With 400 HP V8

By Ben McKimm - News

Updated: 2 November, 2026

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Readtime: 6 min

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• Australian orders for the Works Bespoke commissioning programme are officially open.
• Craftsmen rebuild original 2012 to 2016 Solihull donor vehicles from scratch.
• Power comes from a 298kW naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine.
• Chassis receives Alcon braking hardware and custom Eibach suspension upgrades.
• Pricing starts at roughly AUD$398,000 before local delivery and taxes.

Land Rover has officially opened Australian order books for the Defender Classic V8 Works Bespoke programme. The new offering allows buyers to commission ground-up restorations of donor vehicles originally built between 2012 and 2016. Every build swaps the factory powertrain for a genuine naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. Excitingly, for buyers wanting immediate delivery, the brand has already shipped a completed Sunset Gold Soft Top model to Australia for public sale.

The release revives the eight-cylinder architecture that first appeared in the 1979 Series III Stage 1 and later in the 1998 anniversary models. Rather than relying on standard components, the Classic division re-engineers the chassis with 4-piston Alcon brakes and a custom Eibach suspension setup. Buyers can complete the cabin with Recaro seats and a modern 4.8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen.

Director of Defender Classic Dominic Elms stated the programme has enabled their teams to showcase extraordinary levels of craftsmanship with every vehicle handcrafted to an individual specification.

“Since its introduction, our Works Bespoke programme has become the ultimate expression of Defender Classic ownership, with clients commissioning highly individual vehicles tailored to their personal tastes and lifestyles. The programme has enabled our teams to showcase extraordinary levels of craftsmanship, creativity and attention to detail, with every Defender Classic V8 handcrafted to an individual’s specification. As we expand into new markets, we look forward to helping new clients bring their vision to life through a truly custom commissioning experience.”

Local customers can now choose between the 90 Station Wagon, Soft Top, and 110 Station Wagon body styles. Buyers work directly with product experts based in the United Kingdom or Germany to finalise their match-to-sample exterior paint and interior materials. With prices starting well above those of standard luxury SUVs, production numbers are naturally limited by the availability of suitable donor frames. Local deliveries are heavily dependent on individual build complexity and the current restoration backlog at the Coventry facility.

Handcrafted Re-Engineering and V8 Powertrain Mechanics

The mechanical focal point of the Works Bespoke programme is the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces 298kW (400 hp) and 515Nm (380 lb-ft) of torque.

It’s a significant leap over the original V8 models that established the bloodline. The carburetted 3.5-litre Rover V8 from the 1979 Series III Stage 1 produced just 90bhp, while the 1998 anniversary model managed 190bhp from a 4.0-litre block. The new 5.0-litre block doubles that output and pushes the 90 model from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds. The longer 110 model achieves the same sprint in 6.1 seconds, with both vehicles limited to a top speed of 170 km/h (105 mph).

Land Rover pairs this block with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission controlled by a pistol shifter mounted high on the dashboard. This sends power to the ground through a 2-speed transfer box and a torque-biasing centre differential, to an all-wheel-drive system designed to maintain all the original off-road capability the Defender came with.

Engineers at the Coventry facility completely strip each 2012 to 2016 donor vehicle to fit the upgraded drivetrain and heavy-duty front and rear differentials. Buyers can choose between 16-inch Wolf steel wheels with mud-terrain tyres and 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels in gloss black. Finally, the exterior styling is fully customisable, allowing owners to choose from defined heritage palettes, extended colour ranges, or an exact match-to-sample paint service.

Braking Hardware and Suspension

You can imagine that sticking a whopping great V8 under the bonnet of a vehicle that drives more like a tractor than a sports car will need some serious stopping power. Thankfully, this area receives a significant upgrade to handle the increased output. The front features 335mm discs while the rear wheels house 300mm discs, both clamped by Alcon 4-piston calipers.

Suspension geometry still uses live beam axles front and rear, but they’re now suspended by revised Eibach coil springs and Bilstein telescopic dampers. Rather importantly, an Eibach anti-roll bar completes the setup to control body roll during cornering.

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Works Bespoke Pricing and Build Timelines

Starting prices for the Works Bespoke commissions are set at £209,000, which converts to roughly AUD$398,000 (approx. USD$280,000).

Buyers must also account for local delivery fees, luxury car taxes, and import duties when shipping the finished vehicles into Australia. The final price will fluctuate significantly based on the chosen body style, exterior accessories, and interior material selections. We wouldn’t expect to get one in the driveway for less than half a million dollars.

Clients can add an Explorer Pack that includes a roof rack, expedition cage, and a heavy-duty winch. For those wanting to sleep in the vehicle, the Ply Guys Camper Conversion transforms the rear cabin into a functional living quarter.

Interested buyers can begin designing their ideal build by contacting Land Rover Classic below, before working directly with the specialist teams to secure a production slot.