By ROB HULL, MOTORING EDITOR
British car maker Jaguar Land Rover has paid homage to British wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill with a 'new' limited edition model in his name with a massive asking price.
The Land Rover Defender V8 Churchill Edition has been unveiled on Tuesday and is limited to a run of just 10 cars inspired by the British statesman, military officer and two-time PM and the vehicle he once owned.
Rather than being based on the latest modern Defender, JLR's classic department has sourced ten examples of the previous generation 4X4, which has roots dating back to the motor owned by Churchill following World War II.
The exclusive cars replicate the Land Rover Series I, which was gifted to the PM in 1954.
Three body styles are available, though they all come with Bronze Green paint with Bridge of Weir leather inside as a nod to Sir Winston's motor.
Some of the ten models are still available to customers - though that's not hugely surprising given the astronomical asking price.
It starts from £232,500 before tax. That means with VAT included, you'll need to stump up almost £280,000 if you want one. That's more than a new Ferrari 296GTS.
British car maker Jaguar Land Rover has paid homage to British wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill with a 'new' limited edition model with a massive asking price
The Land Rover Defender V8 Churchill Edition has been unveiled on Tuesday and is limited to a run of just 10 cars inspired by the British statesman, military officer and two-time PM's own vehicle that was gifted to him for an 80th birthday present in 1954 (pictured)
The Churchill Edition is based on the classic Defender that went out of production in 2016, with the JLR Classic Works department 'comprehensively rebuilding and re-engineering' donor cars from 2012 to 2016.
Customers have the option of either the three-door 90 or five-door 110 body styles, with the former available either as a Station Wagon or a Soft Top.
Each is powered by a snarling 399bhp 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine married to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Bronze Green paint is a true like-for-like with Churchill's own soft-top 4X4 having been 'carefully matched to the original vehicle'.
The Classic Works team even visited the museum where it is retained in Switzerland to 'fully immerse themselves in the period details of the original' and to 'ensure every aspect of the Churchill Edition lives up to its inspiration'.
The heritage colour is also used on the 16-inch heavy-duty steel wheels and interior details including the centre console surround.
Samples of the original interior trim were also collected to make sure the Bottle Green Bridge of Weir Semi-Aniline leather is the perfect hue.
The dashboard incorporates a unique clock design, featuring a blue face with red stripe – inspired by Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill champagne.
The Churchill Edition is based on the classic Defender that went out of production in 2016, with the JLR Classic Works department 'comprehensively rebuilding and re-engineering' donor cars from 2012 to 2016. It is available as a 3-door 90 hard or soft-top, and there's a 5-door 110 option too
Each is powered by a snarling 399bhp 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine married to an eight-speed automatic transmission
The Bronze Green paint is a true like-for-like with Churchill's own soft-top 4X4 having been 'carefully matched to the original vehicle'. The Classic Works team even visited the museum where it is retained in Switzerland to colour match it
Other period-correct features include a galvanised front bumper, and classic metal mesh grille also feature, while the front is characterised by a solitary matt black headlight surround, inspired by the position of the front numberplate on Churchill’s iconic 4X4.
Additional details include a ‘UKE 80’ decal - the number plate of Churchill's Series I - on the front wings and bespoke badging on the rear.
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The Soft Top variants boast a made-to-measure canvas hood ensuring a perfect fit, inspired by the hood fitted to the last ‘classic’ Defender produced at Solihull in 2016.
The side and rear sections can be unzipped and rolled-up for open air driving while retaining protection from the elements, and Land Rover Classic has added extra tie-down points to keep the canvas tight at highway speeds.
While there are plenty of tributes to Churchill and his post-war motor, there isn't a cigar storage area supplied in the cabin.
However, the 'sympathetic modernisation' does include a special infotainment system offering navigation, DAB radio and Bluetooth compatibility. Yet it retains a classic look that’s fully integrated with the dashboard and centre console.
While prices for the 90 Station Wagon start from £279,000 inclusive of UK taxes, the Soft Top is even more of a strain on the bank account.
The three-door 90 Soft Top rings in from 291,000. The priciest of all is the Defender 110 hard-top at an eye-watering £295,200.
While there are plenty of tributes to Churchill and his post-war motor, there isn't a cigar storage area supplied in the cabin
While prices for the 90 Station Wagon start from £279,000 inclusive of UK taxes, the Soft Top is even more of a strain on the bank account. The three-door 90 Soft Top rings in from 291,000. The priciest of all is this Defender 110 hard-top at an eye-watering £295,200
To put the price tag into perspective, you could instead have a Ferrari 296 GTS for the same money
Additional details include a ‘UKE 80’ decal - the number plate of Churchill's Series I - on the front wings and bespoke badging on the rear
'Each example is meticulously restored, redesigned and upgraded during hundreds of hours of careful and considered work by Land Rover Classic, to create a vehicle with a unique blend of longevity, strength, luxury and off-road capability,' JLR bespoke department said.
'The on-road driving experience is further refined thanks to the comprehensively uprated suspension system, with custom Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers, revised anti-roll bars, a re-engineered recirculating ball steering system, and uprated Alcon braking system.'
Land Rover says the Defender Classic’s V8 is good for 0-to-62mph in 5.9 seconds in the 90, or 6.1 seconds in the 110. The top speed is 106mph.
Dominic Elms, managing director at JLR Classic, said: 'The Classic Defender V8 Churchill Edition is a fantastic example of what’s possible when a client’s idea meets Land Rover Classic experts’ craftsmanship and attention to detail.
'Our Works Bespoke experts have subtly captured the essence of Winston Churchill’s iconic 1954 Land Rover to create these exclusive limited-edition vehicles, which are now being hand-crafted at our world-class restoration home in the UK.'
Vehicle registration ‘UKE 80’ was a short-wheelbase Land Rover Series I originally presented to Winston Churchill at his Chartwell Estate on 30 November 1954, to celebrate his 80th birthday.
It featured bespoke modifications to the passenger side of the vehicle, as its primary purpose was to chauffeur Churchill around his estate.
These included a wider seat with a fold-down centre armrest, footwell heater and additional leather-wrapped grab handle.
The Series I remained on the Chartwell estate until Winston Churchill’s passing in January 1965, before being handed down to his son-in-law The Right Honourable A C Soames C.B.E. MP.
It remained in the family until 1973 and was bought by its current Swiss owner in 2013.
The vehicle was then restored and transferred to the Emil Frey Classics Museum at Safenwil in Switzerland where it has lived since.
