Meet The World’s First Modern Defender Pickup: Urban Automotive & Heritage Customs Unveil V8-Powered Customs

Urban Automotive and Heritage Customs have previewed the world’s first modern Defender pickup, revealing two highly exclusive coachbuilt takes on the Defender 130 V8. These custom creations, set to debut at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed (FOS), are based on the longest Defender variant and are powered by a formidable 425-horsepower V8 engine (493 hp in the U.S. spec). Looking good enough to be factory-built, the high level of bespoke craftsmanship and V8 performance means pricing is expected to be near or over $200,000, significantly exceeding the range-topping stock Defender 130 V8.

Urban Automotive x Heritage Defender Pickup interior

Urban Automotive x Heritage Defender Pickup

Two Custom Flavors: Heritage and Urban Editions

Urban Automotive and Heritage Customs will offer two distinct versions of their Defender 130 pickup conversion, catering to different luxury tastes.

Heritage Edition (White): This variant is described as “refined, elegant, and authentically classic.” It features a copper-colored roof and a basket for additional storage, nodding to the original Defender’s utilitarian charm with a luxurious touch.
Urban Edition (Black): Positioned as “powerful, contemporary, and unmistakably commanding.” This version gets aggressive wheel arch extensions and a vented hood, along with roof-mounted LED lights for a modern, high-performance look.

Both designs pay tribute to the original SUV with a side-opening tailgate, a signature feature of the classic Defender crew cab which Heritage Customs CEO Jan-Pieter Kroezen calls “one of the most desirable Defenders ever made”.

V8 Power and Unapologetic Luxury

The Defender pickup conversion is based on the powerful Defender 130 V8.

Engine: Powered by the 425-hp V8 engine (which translates to 493 hp in the U.S. specification).
Performance Focus: The powerful V8 ensures the truck retains the high-performance character of the stock Defender 130 V8, despite its reinforced pickup construction.
Luxurious Interior: The utility aspect is completely redefined inside. The cabin boasts opulent touches like quilted caramel leather and suede. Given this level of luxury, the utility bed is likely intended for aesthetics and occasional light use rather than true utilitarian work.
Curb Weight: While the exact weight hasn’t been disclosed, it’s suspected that the builders reinforced the appropriate areas, but likely shed some of the Defender 130 V8’s original 5,800-pound curb weight.

The Price of Bespoke Exclusivity

As custom, coachbuilt creations, these Defender pickups are significantly more expensive than the factory model.

Estimated Price: Buyers should “Bank on at least $200,000“. This price is more than double the starting price of the range-topping Defender 130 V8 (which starts at less than $120,000).
Customization: Because the companies specialize in bespoke builds, numerous interior and exterior finishes will be offered, ensuring the commissioning customer’s budget is the limit.
Build Timeline: Most of the development has already been completed, suggesting a shorter build time than a completely new model.

Final Thoughts

The collaboration between Urban Automotive and Heritage Customs to produce the modern Defender pickup is a stunning fusion of capability and extreme luxury. By taking the powerful Defender 130 V8 platform and injecting coachbuilt craftsmanship and V8 muscle into a desirable crew-cab pickup shape, they have created a vehicle that pays perfect homage to the original. These limited-edition trucks offer the ultimate solution for buyers seeking the practicality of a pickup paired with the unmatched exclusivity and opulence of a luxury custom-commissioned V8 Land Rover.

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