Land Rover Defender Classic V8 now available to commission in Australia

Land Rover has opened a factory-backed commissioning route in Australia for the classic Defender with V8 power, giving well-heeled enthusiasts a way to order an original-style model directly from the brand rather than through an independent restorer. The move targets collectors who want the old Defender’s upright, utilitarian character but with a V8 powertrain and factory oversight.

This is not a mainstream showroom vehicle. It sits in the low-volume collector SUV space, alongside factory restomods and heritage programmes that blend vintage bodies with modern engineering. In Saudi Arabia, buyers with similar tastes tend to weigh the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series, the Jeep Wrangler and, more recently, the In