Land Rover Classic has announced the release of its first-ever special edition Defender that is themed to celebrate the legacy of the Defender, the Isle of Islay, and Spencer Wilks, one of the founders of Land Rover. The Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition takes inspiration from the Series IIa Land Rover, which Wilks used and owned, and the Hebridean Island, Islay, where the Land Rover name came to be.
The Islay Edition, limited to only 30 units, is a Station Wagon that comes in either a seven-seater 110 version or a 90 short-wheelbase 17-seater version. Every vehicle is painstakingly restored, re-engineered, and upgraded using donor vehicles from 2012-2016. This delivers a bespoke, luxurious, and comprehensively engineered classic Defender that only comes direct from the original manufacturer.
The Islay Edition is powered by the same technical specification as the Classic Defender Works V8. It features a 405hp 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine, matched to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. With modern enhancements, including LED headlights, uprated suspension, and braking systems, the Islay Edition delivers superior on-road performance and dynamics.
The Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition boasts a Heritage Grey exterior finish with a contrast roof, heavy-duty steel wheels finished in Limestone, and wheel arches finished in Heritage Grey for a refined exterior design. The traditional Land Rover logos and badging are finished in body color, and the vehicle also features a classic-style grille. The rear mudflaps are designed to feature the iconic heritage branding, and a side graphic with the registration of Wilks’ Series IIa is present on the vehicle’s side.
Inside, the Islay Edition offers a luxurious touch, with Land Rover Windsor Ebony leather covering the Premium Defender seats, side trim, doors, roof lining, and dashboard. The classic infotainment system incorporates modern functionality such as satellite navigation, DAB radio, and Bluetooth. The centre console and the pistol shifter gear lever for the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission are finished with a body-color detail. All the footwells of the Islay Edition are carpeted, a touch of luxury that is unusual for Classic Defenders.
Each Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition is crafted by Land Rover Classic’s specialists, starting with donor vehicles from 2012-2016. Land Rover Classic then installs a modern naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 powertrain with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which offers 405hp and 515Nm of torque. The Islay Edition can accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds, while its top speed is rated at 106mph.
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