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Coach-built Defenders turn SUV into bespoke pickups
The Land Rover Defender lineup is already one of the most diverse and desirable nameplates on the market, but factory options stop short of a production pickup. That gap has been filled — not by Jaguar Land Rover, but by two European coachbuilders: Heritage Custom and Urban Automotive. Both firms have unveiled coach-built Defender pickups based on the long-wheelbase Defender 130, and their interpretations promise exclusivity, off-road capability and hefty price tags.
At the end of last week both builders revealed their visions of what they call the world’s first coach-built Defender pickups. While details remain limited, the core of each conversion is clear: the Defender 130 platform with its V8 heart, trimmed and reworked into a compact pickup bed behind a shortened cabin.
Shared underpinnings, different characters
Both projects start from the Defender 130 X-Dynamic SE and are believed to retain the 4.4-liter or 5.0-liter V8 (the conversion announcements reference a 419 hp V8), so performance and drivetrain hardware are likely unchanged. What separates the two are design tone and finishing:
- Heritage Custom leans into classic elegance. The project, presented on October 30 in the Netherlands, evolves the Valiance concept with traditional cues and bespoke trim aimed at customers who want an "authentically classic" finish.
- Urban Automotive has taken a sharper, more aggressive route. For now it’s a digital reveal; the physical build is scheduled for a July 2026 public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Visually both retain recognizable Defender styling up front and along the flanks. The most dramatic work is at the rear: the roofline and cabin were reworked to create a modest cargo bed, trading rear seating/space for an open load area. The beds are compact rather than commercial-grade, emphasizing style and lifestyle utility over utility-work capability.
Specs, pricing and positioning
Exact technical specs and customization options are still sparse. What we know or reasonably expect:
- Base platform: Defender 130 (long-wheelbase)
- Engine: V8 with ~419 hp (retained from donor vehicle)
- Configuration: two coach-built pickup variants — one elegant, one sporty
- Projected price: likely in the six-figure range
For context, Heritage Custom’s Defender Valiance — also built from Defender 130 hardware and revealed previously — was priced around $178,000. That’s almost three times the cost of an entry-level Defender from Land Rover, and Urban Automotive’s finished pickup is expected to sit in the same premium bracket.
Who should consider one?
These conversions aren’t for bargain hunters. They target enthusiasts and collectors who want exclusivity, tailored design and the Defender’s off-road capability, but in a rarer, pickup-body form. Buyers who value bespoke craftsmanship and are willing to pay a premium for coach-built finishing will find appeal here.
Quote: "In a market saturated with SUVs, a coach-built Defender pickup promises both distinction and capability," says an industry insider.
Whether these coach-built trucks will spur Land Rover to offer a factory pickup remains to be seen. For now, Heritage Custom and Urban Automotive have taken the lead by turning the rugged Defender 130 into a niche, high-end pickup option for 2026 and beyond.
Source: autoevolution
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