Heritage Custom and Urban unveil Land Rover Defender 130 pickups

The Land Rover Defender is entering a new chapter—as a pickup. Two European specialists, Heritage Custom and Urban Automotive, have joined forces to craft the first coachbuilt Defender pickups, built from the 130 variant with a 419-hp V8.

Each take goes its own way: Heritage Custom unveiled an elegant, classically authentic interpretation inspired by its Valiance line, debuting on October 30 in the Netherlands. Urban Automotive, by contrast, pursues an aggressive, futuristic look; its physical debut is slated for July 2026 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The contrast neatly shows how adaptable the Defender’s character can be.

The big change happens out back: the cabin is shortened to carve out space for a compact cargo bed. Otherwise, the pickups preserve the Defender’s signature cues—blocky forms and that recognizable silhouette. The conversion feels cohesive, not improvised, and the pickup format suits the 130 more than you might expect.

Exclusivity comes at a price: Heritage Custom’s Valiance was listed at about $178,000—nearly three times the cost of a base Defender 130. By current estimates, Urban Automotive’s version will be priced in roughly the same territory.

As a result, the new Defender Pickup steps beyond the role of a simple off-roader and into collector-grade luxury—meant for those who want to stand out in a world dominated by crossovers.