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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Radical Land Rover Defender 90 Convertible Debuts At Goodwood
Radical Land Rover Defender 90 Convertible Debuts At Goodwood originally appeared on Autoblog. The current Land Rover Defender 90 is just as capable off-road as the classic models it replaced, but unlike those Defenders of yore, it's not available as a convertible. British firm Urban Automotive and Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs—recently merged under parent company AM Group—have an aftermarket alternative. Debuting at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Urban Widetrack Heritage Series Soft-Top combines Heritage Customs' Valiance soft-top conversion for the Defender with one of Urban Automotive's carbon-fiber body kits. It's the first convertible modified by Urban Automotive, which specializes in high-end models from brands like Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. Heritage Customs offers forged wheels, accessories, and custom interiors, but its most ambitious projects are the Defender 90-based Valiance convertible and the Defender 130-based Valiance pickup. For the convertible, the donor car's chassis is reinforced with a custom roll cage to account for the loss of rigidity from removing some bodywork. Valiance convertibles were already available in limited numbers, but this one got additional customization from Urban. It wears the company's Widetrack fender flares, XRS (Extreme Road Series) vented hood, and some smaller items, including carbon-fiber mirror caps, lower front canards, and additional square daytime running lights. It rolls on black 23-inch wheels that match the paint and most of the exterior trim. In contrast to the darkened exterior, the interior features riotous Hermes Orange leather upholstery, with Recaro front seats. The orange leather even covers the roll cage and a custom dashboard overlay. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Founded in 2014, Urban Automotive specializes in modifying luxury vehicles in what the company calls an "OEM+" manner, trying to match the quality of factory builds. That approach is apparently resonating with customers looking to modify their cars, as Urban is rapidly expanding to meet what the company says is increasing demand. In addition to the merger with Heritage Customers, Urban recently acquired a 42,000-square-foot facility in the United Kingdom and a warehouse and distribution facility in the United States. It's also continuing to launch new builds and products. It displayed a newly-modified Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and Range Rover Sport alongside the Defender convertible at Goodwood. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Radical Land Rover Defender 90 Convertible Debuts At Goodwood first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Radical Land Rover Defender 90 Convertible Debuts At Goodwood
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. or sign in with Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Two aftermarket firms teamed up to make it happen The current Land Rover Defender 90 is just as capable off-road as the classic models it replaced, but unlike those Defenders of yore, it's not available as a convertible. British firm Urban Automotive and Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs—recently merged under parent company AM Group—have an aftermarket alternative. Debuting at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Urban Widetrack Heritage Series Soft-Top combines Heritage Customs' Valiance soft-top conversion for the Defender with one of Urban Automotive's carbon-fiber body kits. It's the first convertible modified by Urban Automotive, which specializes in high-end models from brands like Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. Defenders That Land Rover Won't Build Source: Urban Automotive Heritage Customs offers forged wheels, accessories, and custom interiors, but its most ambitious projects are the Defender 90-based Valiance convertible and the Defender 130-based Valiance pickup. For the convertible, the donor car's chassis is reinforced with a custom roll cage to account for the loss of rigidity from removing some bodywork. Valiance convertibles were already available in limited numbers, but this one got additional customization from Urban. It wears the company's Widetrack fender flares, XRS (Extreme Road Series) vented hood, and some smaller items, including carbon-fiber mirror caps, lower front canards, and additional square daytime running lights. It rolls on black 23-inch wheels that match the paint and most of the exterior trim. In contrast to the darkened exterior, the interior features riotous Hermes Orange leather upholstery, with Recaro front seats. The orange leather even covers the roll cage and a custom dashboard overlay. Urban Automotive Expands Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Founded in 2014, Urban Automotive specializes in modifying luxury vehicles in what the company calls an 'OEM+' manner, trying to match the quality of factory builds. That approach is apparently resonating with customers looking to modify their cars, as Urban is rapidly expanding to meet what the company says is increasing demand. In addition to the merger with Heritage Customers, Urban recently acquired a 42,000-square-foot facility in the United Kingdom and a warehouse and distribution facility in the United States. It's also continuing to launch new builds and products. It displayed a newly-modified Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and Range Rover Sport alongside the Defender convertible at Goodwood. About the Author Stephen Edelstein View Profile
Auto Blog
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Urban Automotive Opens U.S. HQ in Phoenix to Serve Luxury Tuning Market
Urban Automotive, the British luxury car modifier best known for its carbon-fiber styling kits and 'OEM+' design philosophy, has officially launched operations in the United States. As of July 2, 2025, the company has opened a dedicated North and South America division, anchored by a newly established warehouse and distribution facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This marks a significant step in Urban's global expansion strategy, moving away from its former U.S. distribution setup — which was previously handled through a partnership with Milltek Corp in Tennessee — toward a more hands-on, directly managed presence. The move is being supported by Urban's parent company, The AM Group, and executed as a joint venture with Daniel Weber, who will oversee operations stateside. Source: Newspress USA A Benchmark Brand, Now On U.S. Soil Since its founding in 2014, Urban Automotive has carved out a unique position in the UK aftermarket scene, offering luxury body kits and carbon-fiber parts for high-end models including Range Rover, Defender, Bentley, Mercedes-AMG, and Lamborghini. The company's 'OEM+' approach focuses on factory-grade fit and finish, often making their builds indistinguishable from manufacturer-grade special editions — only more aggressive, more exclusive, and more bespoke. Now, with the Phoenix facility online, Urban says it can significantly reduce delivery times, improve customer service, and grow its dealer and builder network across the Americas. The Arizona site will act as both a logistics and support hub, enabling faster fulfilment and a more tailored client experience. 'There's nothing like Urban in the U.S. market,' said Daniel Weber. 'We're not trying to replicate existing brands — this is European refinement, obsessively crafted for a different kind of client.' Urban Director Luis Carrera added: 'The U.S. has always led the way in turning lifestyle into culture. That's where Urban fits in — British design, European refinement, now with boots on the ground.' Source: Newspress USA Building Momentum Urban's growth has been fast and deliberate. In 2023 alone, the company reported a 173% year-over-year increase in overseas sales, reaching over £3.8 million in exports across 23 countries. It has also expanded R&D and production capacity in the UK, recently acquiring a 42,000+ sq ft facility in Milton Keynes to support rising demand. The Phoenix hub gives Urban a strategic foothold near key West Coast markets while also tapping into the city's fast-growing status as a premium automotive centre. With companies like Lucid Motors and major EV tech suppliers operating nearby, Phoenix has become a key location for vehicle development and aftermarket innovation. Source: Newspress USA What This Means For U.S. Buyers For American buyers, Urban's arrival means quicker access to bespoke body kits, faster delivery times, and a more direct support system. It also puts the British brand into clearer competition with U.S.-based tuning companies — many of which focus on performance rather than design — allowing Urban to stand out with its tailored aesthetic and luxury materials. Urban Automotive has already built a presence at U.S. events like SEMA, and its custom builds — including celebrity-owned Range Rovers and Defenders — have helped the brand gain traction in the American aftermarket. With the Phoenix expansion now live, Urban says it plans to roll out more regional partnerships and exclusive builds throughout 2025. This isn't just a logistics play — it's a long-term move to embed Urban's identity into the North American luxury and customization scene. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
