This $200,000 Range Rover Classic and a Corvette Have 700 HP in Common
If you’re a wealthy buyer riding on a heavy dose of nostalgia, chances are you’ve looked into buying a restomod. From Porsche 911s by Singer to Land Cruisers by Icon 4×4, you can revive the greats with modern equipment if your wallet is deep enough. This week, Jensen International Automotive has announced its take on the Range Rover Classic.
It’s called the Chieftain, and it’s not hellbent on keeping most of its original parts. Instead, you get a redesigned chassis, fully independent suspension, a 6.2-liter V8 out of a Corvette, and even widened bodywork. However, like with any restomod, this SUV is far from cheap.
Is this still just a modified Range Rover Classic?
While the Chieftain might look quite similar to a standard Range Rover Classic, it’s almost entirely new. It all begins with a redesigned chassis. According to JIA, the chassis remains heavily inspired by the original. However, the company has worked extensively to stiffen it up. This upgrade exists mainly to house the brand-new powertrain that lives under the hood.
Since the Range Rover Classic can trace its roots back to the 1960s, it doesn’t exactly have the world’s most advanced suspension. To this end, JIA equipped the Chieftain with brand-new, fully independent suspension. This also includes a double-wishbone construction which does away with the older live axles. As a result, this brand-new restomod remains a smoother ride than the original.
A supercharger kicks up its total output to 700 hp
The most powerful engine option available for the Range Rover Classic was a naturally-aspirated 4.2-liter V8. With around 200 hp on tap, this powertrain was neither speedy nor reliable. As you might expect, JIA decided to swap in a tried and tested alternative. Borrowing directly from the Chevrolet Corvette, the Chieftain comes standard with an LS3 6.2-liter V8 under its hood with 435 hp.
However, if you want to really crazy with this Range Rover Classic restomod, JIA will allow you to slap on a supercharger. This addition pushes its total output up to around 700 hp. Additionally, CarBuzz report that an all-electric variant will arrive eventually with around 1000 hp.
If you want to fit larger rubber to handle the added power, JIA sells two configurations of this SUV. While you can certainly option bodywork that looks quite close to standard, JIA also sells a widened version with larger fenders.
How much does this restomod cost?
As you might imagine, a completely redone Range Rover Classic can’t have its standard interior. To this end, JIA completely re-trims the interior with all new leather and wood finishes. If you want to go very over the top, you can even option quilted leather seats. Additionally, you get modern techs such as a backup camera, parking sensors, and cruise control.
The Chieftain starts in the UK for £147,500 or just over $200,000. Keep in mind this is before you add any optional extras.