Much like Pagani with its never-ending stream of Zonda revamps, Land Rover refuses to let the classic Defender fade into history. In 2024, they rolled out a “new” version of the beloved off-roader, now packing a V8 under the hood. But let’s be clear: this isn’t a brand-new vehicle. Instead, it’s a meticulously restored Defender based on 2012-2016 donor cars — and it's not exactly bargain-bin material.

Available in both the short-wheelbase 90 and the more spacious 110 versions, this classic Defender has been “remastered by hand” by the skilled engineers over at Land Rover Classic in the UK. Their Works Bespoke division combs through carefully selected donor vehicles and breathes new life into them with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 — a proper Land Rover heart pushing out 405 Hp and 515 Nm of torque, all channeled through a slick ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.

To ensure it’s up to snuff with today’s driving standards, the Classic Defender V8 gets a thorough mechanical refresh — think Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs, and anti-roll bars to tighten things up. Stopping power comes courtesy of four-piston Alcon brakes, with beefy 335 mm discs up front and 300 mm at the rear. Inside, it retains much of the classic dashboard charm but throws in a cheeky little 3.5-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and digital radio. It’s a modern touch without losing that old-school vibe.

And if that sounds familiar, it should. Porsche has been sneaking tiny touchscreens into its classics for years now, and the Defender’s 3.5-inch screen has a whiff of Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM) about it. Similar size, familiar buttons — it's all there.

Customization? Oh, there’s plenty. Whether you fancy a roof-mounted tent accessible by a ladder or a full camper conversion that transforms the rear cabin into a snug living area, Land Rover’s got you covered. The interior is awash with leather — choose from five solid colors or eight two-tone finishes. And, for the driver, Recaro front seats that hug your body tighter than your favorite pair of jeans.

But here’s the kicker — the price. The base three-door Defender 90 model will set you back a cool £190,000, while the five-door 110 starts at £199,000. And if you want the seven-seat version, prepare to part with £204,000. That’s before you even think about ticking any options or factoring in VAT, which, in the UK, is another 20% on top.

Naturally, you start to compare this old-new Defender with the likes of the Ineos Grenadier. It’s a similar boxy shape, with a starting price of just £65,015 (€75,600) in the UK for the five-seat model — about a third of the cost. Sure, you’re missing that burly V8, but the BMW-sourced inline-sixes aren’t exactly lacking in grunt.

And what about the new Defender, you ask? The modern V8-powered Octa launched just last month, and it's still a lot cheaper, starting at £145,300.

Why didn’t Land Rover just start with a newly built classic Defender, you might wonder? Because that would’ve been a regulatory nightmare. The costs of meeting modern emissions and safety standards in the EU would be astronomical, not to mention nearly impossible with the original design. The last original Defender rolled off the line back in January 2016, and bringing it back wholesale just wasn’t in the cards.

So, there you have it: an old-school icon, reborn with a V8 growl and modern touches. Just be prepared to raid your piggy bank.