The resurgence of the Defender 130 Pickup is significant because Land Rover has steered the new generation toward premium SUVs, not commercial variants.
That strategic pivot left a clear opening for specialist workshops to deliver a pickup that honors heritage while adding contemporary comforts.
Heritage Customs (Naarden Vesting) and Urban Automotive (Milton Keynes) seized that opportunity, creating two distinct takes on the same donor platform: one that leans toward classic refinement and the other toward bold, modern aggression.
The Heritage Customs Defender Pickup: classic, refined, authentic
The Heritage Customs Defender Pickup is built from a V8-powered Defender 130 donor. The conversion preserves five-passenger seating and adds an integrated load bay with flowing rear bodywork that keeps the silhouette cohesive.
“After completing the convertible, it felt like the right time to bring another ‘forgotten’ model of the Land Rover Defender range back to life — the pickup.” — Jan-Pieter Kroezen, CEO, Heritage Customs
Inside, Heritage's approach is about materials and finish: leather and suede trim, bespoke stitching, and carefully chosen accents that give the truck a luxurious, collectible feel.
Pricing for the conversion sits between €50,000 and €75,000 (roughly £44,000–£66,000), excluding the donor vehicle.
Urban Automotive Defender Pickup: dark, aggressive, unmistakable
Where Heritage aims for timeless elegance, Urban aims for a commanding presence: blacked-out finishes, wide arch extensions, and a carbon-vented bonnet that emphasizes performance intent.
Rendered previews suggest the production Urban Edition will remain faithful to the concept. Urban's aesthetic positions the truck as a city-dominant statement vehicle with off-road capability as a genuine, but secondary, selling point.
Technical snapshot & buyer considerations
These pickups are conversions rather than factory models, so they should be assessed as bespoke builds: quality depends on the workshop's standards and options chosen. Below is a concise technical snapshot to help prospective buyers compare offerings.
| Item | Heritage Customs | Urban Automotive |
|---|---|---|
| Donor model | Defender 130 (V8 donor available) | Defender 130 (V8 donor available) |
| Seating | Five seats (crew cab) | Five seats (crew cab) |
| Visual focus | Classic, refined finishes; leather & suede | Black-on-black, aggressive arches, carbon bonnet |
| Price (conversion) | €50,000–€75,000 (est.) | Similar range expected |
| Availability | Available to configure now (Heritage) | Production model expected 2026; public reveal at Goodwood |
Market context: why specialist conversions matter
Land Rover's strategic repositioning toward lifestyle SUVs and electrification reduces the likelihood of an official factory pickup. That has not eliminated demand — it redirected it to bespoke specialists who can mix nostalgia with modern expectations.
For buyers who want a functional bed and true differentiation, a Heritage Customs Defender Pickup or an Urban Automotive Defender Pickup offers individuality that factory models no longer provide. In markets where exclusivity matters, these conversions are already competitive with six-figure modified Defenders in classifieds.
Similar to what we've seen with other extreme Defender conversions and luxury vehicle customization, the demand for bespoke builds continues to grow among collectors and enthusiasts.
Conclusion — the pickup lives on, reinterpreted
The Defender pickup concept is alive, albeit outside Jaguar Land Rover's official catalog. Heritage Customs and Urban Automotive each capture a different side of the Defender's appeal: one historic and refined, the other modern and muscular. Together, they prove the market still values utility wrapped in character.
If you're considering a conversion, evaluate workshops carefully, request build references, and compare material and finish options. These pickups are investments — in capability, individuality, and future collectibility.
