Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover creates one-off Paul Smith Defender

Land Rover collaborates with British designer Sir Paul Smith to create a bespoke Defender - clad in 27 colours

Production of the iconic Defender may be about to end, but Land Rover isn't finished with the old-timer yet. As well as the special edition model previously announced, Land Rover has collaborated with British designer Sir Paul Smith to create a bespoke design.

Crafted by Land Rover's newly-revised Special Vehicle Operations, the one-off Defender has been built entirely to Sir Paul's specifications, and is on display at the designers shop at Albemarle Street in Mayfair, London. The designer is a long-standing Land Rover enthusiast, owning several over the years.

The exterior panels of the bespoke 4X4 are painted in 27 different colours, all chosen individually for different reasons. Inspiration was drawn on everything from the British countryside to Defenders used by the Armed Forces. “I wanted deep rich colours, but at the same time, I wanted them to work together yet be surprising.” Smith said.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Defender's utilitarian interior hasn't been left alone either. He elaborates: “This is a complete one-off; I wanted to give this Defender a feeling of luxury, so I used a mix of leather and fabric for the seats. I actually used the fabric that I design for Maharam, the American upholstery company."

As well as the special upholstery, there are several "tongue-in-cheek" design touches dotted about the cabin. For example, a hand-painted bee on the roof, apparently a reference to the car's heritage and another nod to the influence of the countryside. 

Although this Defender was created as a design showcase for Sir Paul's collection, it's part of a year-long celebration of the rugged off-roader's demise after 67 years of production in several forms, alongside three previously announced special editions. It will be replaced by a new model in mid-2016.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car in the works for 2026 event
Land Rover Defender Dakar teaser

New Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car in the works for 2026 event

The Defender will be the Dakar’s official car partner next year ahead Land Rover’s works entry
News
25 Nov 2024
Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Best snow cars 2024
Best snow cars - header image

Best snow cars 2024

Don’t get caught out in extreme conditions this winter. We’ve picked 10 showroom buys that should keep you safe
Best cars & vans
11 Oct 2024
Best 7-seater cars to buy 2024
Best seven-seater cars - header image

Best 7-seater cars to buy 2024

We pick the best seven-seater cars across a wide range of price points
Best cars & vans
2 Oct 2024

Most Popular

Cheap electric car finance could be on the cards as government aims to boost sales
Omoda E5 - front tracking

Cheap electric car finance could be on the cards as government aims to boost sales

A newspaper column and whispers suggest that government-backed cheap EV loans could be coming to stimulate market
News
2 Dec 2024
Nissan Qashqai alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Nissan’s big-selling SUV
Nissan Qashqai alternatives - header image

Nissan Qashqai alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Nissan’s big-selling SUV

Nissan’s Qashqai has been a hit since the first generation launched in 2006, but if it’s not quite your cup of tea, we’ve rounded up the best of the r…
Features
1 Dec 2024
New Ford Puma Gen-E arrives to challenge the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Avenger
Ford Puma Gen-E - front studio

New Ford Puma Gen-E arrives to challenge the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Avenger

Despite being based on the petrol car, electric Ford Puma gets bespoke features and a massive boot
News
3 Dec 2024