Gaze at the beauty of this Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition

The Land Rover Defender is an icon, the old one that is. And so it doesn’t come as a surprise that Land Rover Classic has revealed a gorgeous Works V8 Islay Edition showing that even a classic SUV can make your jaw drop as much as a supercar.

The Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition pays homage to two things: the remarkable Spencer Wilks, Managing Director of the Rover Car Company and one of the founders of Land Rover, and the Isle of Islay, Scotland, where the Land Rover name was born. 

Under the bonnet resides a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 405 horsepower and 515 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and makes the classy SUV capable of reaching 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. Top speed is 106 mph, which the owners will hardly ever be reaching.

This generation of Land Rover Defenders is no longer in production so the British firm will be reengineering donor cars and putting revised coil spring rate and dampers, brake discs, pads and calipers along with a unique suspension setup for “enhanced on-road comfort and dynamics.”

Step inside and you will find Windsor Ebony leather upholstery and tweed from the Islay Woollen Mill. The center cubby comes with a removable wooden tray made from walnut and whisky cask barrel oak from Islay’s Kilchoman distillery. The premium-ness continues till the trunk floor an oak wood veneer is found.

21st century stuff like an infotainment system with DAB radio and Bluetooth is also there for providing entertainment. 

Paul Barritt, Director of Land Rover Classic, said: “In 2023, we celebrate 75 years of Land Rover. Spencer Wilks and the Isle of Islay are an important part of our history, and the Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition is a fitting way to help us celebrate a landmark anniversary. It references a special vehicle in our collection, Spencer Wilks’ beautiful Series IIa, and is influenced by the special products and incredible nature of Islay itself.”

“The authenticity, modern engineering, and exquisite execution from our skilled engineers and technicians, make this limited-edition Classic Defender a very special vehicle for our discerning clients looking for the ultimate heritage Land Rover,” he concluded.