Niels van Roij reveals Land Rover Defender-based Valiance Convertible

Dutch coachbuilder’s Heritage Customs arm will produce just five drop-top versions of the new Defender in 2022

Land Rover’s reinvented Defender has been a success story the world over for the brand. But die-hard fans of the original may think there is still something missing: a convertible version.

That’s where Dutch coachbuilder Niels van Roij Design steps in. The company’s Heritage Customs division has announced it will produce a select number of drop-top variants of its Valiance, an upgraded and modified version of the new Defender.

Just five build slots for the hand-built model will be allocated for 2022, and if official communications are to be believed it looks unlikely that any further examples will be produced. Each will be priced at €138,000 (around £118,000) excluding VAT and any further local market taxes.

The Valiance Convertible is based on the short-wheelbase Defender 90, and has only been shown in design renderings and sketches so far. It retains the same proportions, and the lower half of the body is identical to the standard car’s, but what appears to be a part-electric fabric roof has been engineered in to replace the hard top.

The company has detailed three custom ‘curations’ of the Valiance Convertible to help inspire customers. The first, dubbed the Cote d’Azur, features bespoke blue paint and whitewall tyres, while the Solihull Sand version references the original 1948 model. Finally, the Kokkini Paralia model has dark matt red exterior paint. All feature bespoke detailing, customised interiors and Magic Metal interior and exterior packs.

Heritage Customs claims customers can “work closely with their team of specialist designers and craftspeople via the personal commission guide called Architecture”. In this program patrons can create or enhance their own unique Heritage Customs vehicle.

Now read why we think the Land Rover Defender is our mid-size Premium SUV of the Year here...

Recommended

Land Rover Defender review
Land Rover Defender - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Land Rover Defender review

Land Rover has aced the latest Defender, which combines rugged go-anywhere ability with new levels of civility
22 Sep 2023
Fashion designer cars: when haute couture and automotive collide
Land Rover Defender by Paul Smith
Features

Fashion designer cars: when haute couture and automotive collide

From Lamborghini to Land Rover, car makers are always keen to work with fashion houses and style icons, producing some interesting results
19 Sep 2023
Top 10 best cars for dog owners to buy 2023
Best cars for dog owners - header
Best cars & vans

Top 10 best cars for dog owners to buy 2023

Our dogs deserve the best, so here are the cars that’ll keep their tails wagging.
29 Aug 2023
JLR Defender Sport: new ‘baby’ Land Rover Defender on the cards
Land Rover Defender Sport exclusive image
News

JLR Defender Sport: new ‘baby’ Land Rover Defender on the cards

JLR looks set to launch a smaller, more affordable electric 4x4 that could be badged Defender Sport.
18 Aug 2023

Most Popular

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking
Road tests

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
7 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month

All-electric MPV offers style and substance - making it our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 6 December
6 Dec 2023
Toyota Yaris review
Toyota Yaris - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Toyota Yaris review

An efficient hybrid powertrain and plenty of standard kit make the Toyota Yaris a key contender in the supermini segment
6 Dec 2023