Jaguar Land Rover Offers Defender Classic V8 in Australia
The hand-built Defender Classic V8 is now available to commission in Australia, starting from about A$398,000 before delivery and taxes.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Culture
Jaguar Land Rover's Defender Classic division has made the 2026 Defender Classic V8 available to commission in Australia. The vehicle is hand-built using re-engineered and upgraded 2012-2016 Solihull-produced donor vehicles.
Why it matters
The release brings a factory-backed, bespoke version of the Defender to Australian buyers seeking a classic-styled off-roader with modern V8 power. Each vehicle is built to an individual specification through the Works Bespoke program.
The Defender Classic V8 produces 298kW and 515Nm from a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated Land Rover V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Starting pricing is £209,000 (about A$398,000) before delivery and local taxes, and the final Australian on-road cost is not given.
The players
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the British automotive manufacturer that operates the Defender Classic division and builds the Defender line at its Solihull plant.
Defender Classic
Defender Classic is the official factory division of Jaguar Land Rover that hand-builds re-engineered Defender models to customer specifications.
The details
The Defender Classic V8 is available in 90 and 110 body styles and features LED headlights, four-piston Alcon brakes and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 4.8-inch multimedia touchscreen is standard, with a 9.0-inch touchscreen available as an option, while wheel choices include a 16-inch Wolf steel wheel and an 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheel.
Timeline
2012-2016: Solihull-produced donor vehicles were originally built, later re-engineered for the Defender Classic V8.
2 November 2026: The Defender Classic V8 was made available to commission in Australia.
Roadmap
The Defender Classic V8 extends Jaguar Land Rover's Works Bespoke customisation service into a classic-styled model that pairs a naturally aspirated V8 with hand-built craftsmanship. It sits apart from the brand's shift toward electrified powertrains by keeping combustion V8 power in a revived Defender body.
Australian buyers interested in a Defender Classic V8 should budget for a starting price of about A$398,000 plus delivery and local taxes. The bespoke build process means each vehicle is made to an individual specification rather than bought off a dealership lot.
The takeaway
Buyers considering a bespoke classic Defender should weigh the premium price against the individual build process and the value of a factory-backed V8 restomod. Comparing the total cost including delivery and local taxes will give a clearer picture before commissioning.
Further reading
Explore more stories in Car Culture to see how classic and bespoke vehicles are shaping enthusiast demand in Australia.
