Much like Pagani, which might continue to produce refurbished Zondas indefinitely, Land Rover shows no inclination to let the old Defender fade away. In 2024, a new iteration of this iconic off-road vehicle will be introduced, featuring a V-8 engine. However, similar to the previously mentioned supercar, this isn't a brand-new model. Rather, it's a factory restoration of 2012-2016 donor vehicles, for which a substantial sum will be required. Available in the compact 90 and the more practical 110 versions, the classic Defender has been meticulously 'remastered by hand' by Land Rover Classic engineers in the UK. The Works Bespoke division carefully selects these donor vehicles and equips them with a naturally aspirated V-8, a genuine Land Rover 5.0-liter engine delivering 405 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox from ZF.

The Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke rejuvenates the legendary off-roader with Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs, and anti-roll bars. To modernize the vehicle, Land Rover has also installed four-piston Alcon brakes with 335-mm front and 300-mm rear discs. Inside, the vehicle features a small 3.5-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and digital radio, while maintaining the traditional dashboard layout as much as possible. This integration of a small touchscreen in an older model isn't unique to Land Rover; Porsche has been doing the same for years. The Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM), shown below, bears a striking resemblance to the Defender's system, both featuring a 3.5-inch display and similar button layouts.

The customization options for this new-yet-old Defender are extensive, ranging from a roof-mounted tent accessible via a ladder to a camper conversion that transforms the rear cabin into a comfortable living space. The interior is luxuriously appointed with leather in various colors and two-tone finishes, and includes body-hugging Recaro front seats. Despite its impressive features, the pricing is a significant drawback. The base three-door 90 model starts at £190,000, which translates to $251,300 at current exchange rates. The five-seat 110 version starts at £199,000 ($263,200), and the seven-seat 110 model at £204,000 ($270,000), not including options and a 20% value-added tax (VAT).

Comparing this classic Defender to the Ineos Grenadier, a boxy off-roader aiming to revive the classic go-anywhere vehicle, reveals a significant price difference. The Grenadier starts at £65,015 in the UK for the five-seat model, roughly one-third the price of the Defender. In the US, the Grenadier starts at $75,100. Meanwhile, the modern Defender with a V-8 engine, the Octa, launched last month, is considerably cheaper at £145,300 in the UK, or $152,000 in the United States. A more luxurious Edition One model is priced at $167,800. The decision not to start with a newly built classic Defender was pragmatic; not only would it have been prohibitively expensive, but also challenging to meet EU emissions and safety regulations. The last original Defender was assembled in January 2016.