TGR StaffThe Goodwood Festival of Speed has long been the proving ground for what’s next in performance, design, and automotive flair. But this year, one of the most buzzed-about debuts wasn’t a hypercar or an electric prototype, it was a Land Rover Defender. Or rather, a reimagined one: the Urban Widetrack Heritage Series Soft-Top.
Heritage Series Soft-Top: Yes, it’s a convertible. And yes, it’s glorious.
This isn’t some backyard bolt-on build either. It’s the first-ever open-air Defender from Urban Automotive, a name already synonymous with bespoke British cool. Working hand-in-glove with Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs, Urban has created a limited-run, coachbuilt soft-top based on the Defender 90 that blends off-road grit with luxury tailoring. Think Bond goes barefoot in Ibiza.
Defender Deconstructed, Then Reborn
The base vehicle is Land Rover’s compact, five-seat Defender 90, but the similarities end there. Heritage Customs, recently acquired by Urban to become part of its Bespoke division, executes the painstaking transformation from hardtop to soft-top, including a structural overhaul with a custom roll cage, a semi-electric folding roof, and full structural reinforcement. This isn’t just style for style’s sake—it’s a re-engineering of one of Britain’s most iconic 4x4s.
Urban’s Widetrack kit brings their signature swagger to the party: aggressive wheel arches, an XRS-style vented bonnet with exposed carbon-fiber vents, square DRLs, and plenty of visual carbon details on the mirrors and vents. It’s all finished off with black 23-inch WX-2 R alloys wrapped in Yokohama Advan Sport rubber, giving it a stance that would look just as natural valet-parked in Knightsbridge as it would trail-side in Big Sur.
Inside: Hermes and Heritage
Inside, the Urban Widetrack Heritage Series doesn’t disappoint. Forget utilitarian vinyl and rubber mats, this Defender is drenched in Hermes Orange leather, including the Recaro front buckets and the custom Heritage Series dash overlay. Every surface, every stitch, is a nod to craftsmanship. This isn’t a cabin, it’s a statement.
And yet, it’s all surprisingly cohesive. The Recaro seats feel natural in a vehicle meant to bridge luxury and capability. The dashboard overlay adds just the right touch of classic charm, while the Hermes Orange, though bold, works with the Defender’s industrial lines in a way that feels intentional rather than indulgent.
The relationship between Urban and Heritage Customs began with a shared love for craftsmanship and quickly evolved into a full acquisition. Jan-Pieter Kroezen, founder of Heritage, puts it best: “We believe your car is the last few square meters that are totally yours, so it is worth making it worthwhile.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with Urban’s founder, Simon Dearn, who noted that the Defender is already one of their most popular models.
This merger doesn’t just expand Urban’s reach, it adds depth to their already-strong bespoke offerings. Patrick Meijer, CEO of Urban’s parent company AM Group, said it’s about “design depth and storytelling.” That’s not just boardroom speak, it’s visible in the lines, materials, and mindset behind this convertible Defender.
More Than a Pretty Face
Of course, this is still a Land Rover Defender underneath it all. With five seats, legit off-road chops, and a semi-electric roof, the Heritage Series Soft-Top isn’t some mall crawler in couture. It’s a legitimate adventure rig with just enough gloss and glamour to make it the main character at any cars, coffee, or coastal hideaway.
And while the soft-top conversion is only available on Defender 90s for now, Urban says it can be applied to new or pre-owned vehicles, with each build personalized through their Bespoke service. Want a different leather? Go wild. Prefer a green canvas top to the current setup? It’s your world, Urban just builds in it.
Urban’s soft-top Defender is more than a fun one-off; it’s a symbol of where automotive customization is heading. It merges nostalgia and utility with high fashion and modern tech. It’s the kind of vehicle you drive to a beach wedding, then park next to vintage wooden speedboats and walk away with sand on your feet and keys in your pocket.
It’s rare to find a machine that feels equally at home in London, Los Angeles, and Lanzarote. But Urban Automotive’s Heritage Series Soft-Top Defender isn’t about fitting in. It’s about standing out, with polish, performance, and just enough punk-rock attitude to remind you that luxury doesn’t have to play it safe.
If you’re looking for a convertible that makes Range Rover owners jealous, Porsche owners curious, and Jeep owners nervous, this might just be your summer ticket.
Added to my birthday list
This should be a factory option, Defenders always had removeable roofs before.