2021 Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy unveiled

The original Land Rover Defender is returning, albeit for an extremely short production run as the Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy.

Complete with zero active safety features, zero airbags, zero parking sensors and zero 360-degree cameras, the original Defender is making its brief return through the Land Rover Classic program, in both 90 and 110 body styles.

Instead of a turbo-diesel engine, Land Rover has shoehorned a 5.0-litre petrol V8 under the bonnet, good for 298kW and 515Nm sent through an eight-speed, ZF-designed automatic transmission.

The vehicles are being built to take part in an upcoming Land Rover Trophy off-road event at the spiritual home of Land Rover, Eastnor Castle.

The Defender Works V8 Trophy will come with an eye-watering starting price of £195,000 (AU$350,000) for a 'base' 90 model, with the larger 110 likely to cost more.

That price – more than eight times the list price of a Defender 90 before it was discontinued in Australia – includes an entry into the aforementioned Land Rover Trophy event over three days, which will be the first opportunity for buyers to drive the car.

Aside from the engine, the Defender Trophy gets heavy-duty front and rear differentials, a torque-biasing centre differential and specially-tuned suspension components.

Tyre size hasn’t changed, with 235/85 R16 mud-terrain rubber wrapped around 16-inch steel wheels putting power down to the tarmac, mud, sand or rocks. Behind the wheels live 335mm front and 300mm rear four-piston disc brakes.

The vehicles are fitted with an array of bolt-on accessories, including an electric winch, a multi-point external roll-cage, roof rack, underbody bash plates, and LED headlights and driving lights.

Inside, occupants sit in Recaro sports seats trimmed in black Windsor leather with yellow contrast stitching, while a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock and Land Rover Classic's 'Classic Infotainment System' also feature.

There is only one choice of colour available: Eastnor Yellow, reminiscent of Land Rover’s heavy involvement around the world as the official vehicle of the Camel Trophy.