Land Rover has confirmed the launch of a special V8 Defender to mark the model’s 70th anniversary.
Just 150 of the limited edition featuring a unique collectors badge will be made available and each one will feature a 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine.
The vehicle will be capable of zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and is expected to be the most powerful Defender ever produced by Land Rover. Buyers will be able to enjoy a top speed of 106 mph.
Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic director, said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time.
“The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull.”
He added the company has always been aware of a strong demand for a “powerful and fast” Defender.
It is not the first time a limited-edition Defender has been released. The car’s 50th anniversary model is a much sought-after collector’s item, with values soaring.
Prices are expected to start at £150,000 and the model will be available in eight different paint colours, with bi-LED headlamps and a leather interior trim.