New Truck Based on Land Rover Defender
Dutch company Heritage Customs has introduced the world’s first pickup truck created based on the modern Land Rover Defender. This project fulfills the dreams of many brand enthusiasts, as the manufacturer itself refused to develop a similar model, focusing on electric versions.
Design Features and Styles
The car is available in two main versions: classic Heritage and modern Urban. Both styles emphasize the uniqueness of the model but have their differences in exterior and interior details.
Heritage Customs built the pickup based on the modern Defender 130. The customized truck is offered in classic heritage or modern urban style. Orders are already open, and production is scheduled for 2026, starting from €65,000 plus the cost of the base vehicle.
Technical Aspects and Limitations
The main drawback of the model turned out to be the compact cargo compartment. Its dimensions are only 1000 mm in length and 1400 mm in width, making it less practical compared to traditional pickups. This is due to the design of the Defender 130 chassis, which, despite the longer body, has the same wheelbase as the 110 model.
Comparison with Competitors
Unlike Heritage Customs, the company Ineos for its Grenadier Quartermaster pickup increased the wheelbase, which allowed for the creation of a more functional cargo platform. It is likely that this technical complexity was one of the reasons why Land Rover did not develop its own version of the pickup.
Cost and Prospects
Orders for conversion are already being accepted, and the first cars will be ready by February 2026. The cost of customization is €65,000, to which the price of the base Defender is added. The conversion process takes from two to three months.
Future Updates
The subsidiary brand Urban Automotive plans to present its own version of the pickup at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood in July 2026. Their approach promises to be more modern, with an emphasis on aggressive design and additional upgrades.
This project demonstrates how independent ateliers fill market niches ignored by large manufacturers. Although the practicality of the pickup is limited, its exclusivity and originality will undoubtedly attract the attention of collectors and enthusiasts. The ability to choose between classic and modern styles adds uniqueness to this model, making it an interesting experiment in the world of automotive tuning.