Based in 2011 by Daniel van Oort and Peter Zeisser, The Landrovers has grown from a small scholar challenge in Amsterdam right into a 70-strong workshop specialising in bespoke Defenders. What started with a single automobile buy and a ardour for journey has advanced right into a enterprise recognised worldwide for its automotive innovation and reimagination of the Land Rover Defender. At present, The Landrovers serves purchasers throughout the globe, providing ultra-custom builds, electrical conversions and a philosophy that features forward-looking engineering. LUXUO unpacks the technique and imaginative and prescient driving The Landrovers’ development within the luxurious automotive market.
The corporate “The Landrovers” was based by each of you, Daniel van Oort and Peter Zeisser, in 2011. Inform us concerning the firm’s early imaginative and prescient and the fervour behind?
The Landrovers’ story begins not in a marketing strategy, however in a dream of journey. Peter Zeisser and Daniel van Oort purchased an previous Defender throughout their research with the intention of driving it from the North Cape to South Africa. With no technical background, they merely changed the seats, cleared out some rust, and gave it a polish.
That humble challenge turned a turning level. They fell in love with the Defender’s simplicity and spirit. When the journey by no means materialised and so they determined to promote the automobile, two patrons appeared on the identical day. The second, who missed out, requested them to search out not one however two extra Defenders. The primary one for himself, the second on as an funding.
It was the beginning of one thing extraordinary. What started in a transformed scholar home in Amsterdam has since then grown right into a thriving boutique workshop with practically 70 craftspeople, devoted to creating essentially the most unique bespoke Defenders on this planet.
Peter Zeisser: “We by no means got down to construct an organization. We set out on an journey and that spirit nonetheless drives every thing we do in the present day.”
You get pleasure from stating “There’s one thing inherently timeless a couple of Land Rover”. Inform us extra there?
For The Landrovers, the Defender isn’t just a automobile, it’s an icon with is its immediately recognisable and beloved silhouette.
Peter Zeisser: “In case you ask a toddler to attract a automobile, they’ll sketch a Defender. And apart from that, in actual life a Defender is rugged, repairable with the only of instruments, and it breathes journey. That timeless high quality is why it continues to encourage individuals throughout generations.”
This timelessness is what provides the Defender such common enchantment. It embodies sturdiness, simplicity, and a spirit of exploration that resonates as strongly in the present day because it did a long time in the past.
Frank Tijs joined you in 2018 to assist with the electrical and product improvement departments. Why make the change to an electrical Defender?
In 2018, entrepreneur and engineer Frank Tijs joined the staff with a daring imaginative and prescient: electrification. Within the first place he needed to impress his personal camper van and was on the lookout for a spot the place he might try this. Peter and Daniel gave him a spot at The Landrovers without cost in trade for his data and a share of the corporate’s income. However issues bought out of hand… as all the time at The Landrovers.
Frank Tijs: “For us, it wasn’t solely about safeguarding the Defender’s future. It was about redefining the driving expertise of electrical automobiles. We needed to contribute one thing really vital, making the Defender not simply sustainable however thrilling in a brand new means.”
The choice was each pragmatic and philosophical. On one hand, it secures the Defender’s legacy in a world transferring towards sustainability. On the opposite, it permits The Landrovers to push boundaries — to take an already iconic car and provides it a completely new life.
What does an EV Defender conversion contain?
The Landrovers have turn out to be world leaders in electrical Defender conversions.
Frank Tijs: “That is the method wherein we’re by far essentially the most specialised. Every chassis is optimised at greater than 250 factors to deal with the immense forces of our in-house developed Panterra Lion drivetrain. With 600hp, 4 individually managed in-wheel motors, and prompt torque, the driving expertise is totally redefined.”
All the pieces within the Panterra electrical drivetrain is in-house improvement. Each bolt is designed, examined and accredited. A surprising achievement that was meant to be achieved in 2 years; it took them six. It’s not nearly changing the engine. It’s about re-engineering the whole car to ship efficiency, reliability, and an expertise that feels genuine but revolutionary.
Inform us extra concerning the newest ultra-bespoke Defender you might have offered, the Vesper?
The Vesper is the corporate’s newest ultra-bespoke creation — a Defender that blends refinement with uncooked energy.
Daniel van Oort: “The Vesper is a celebration of class and energy. On the skin, it’s glossy and understated, whereas inside each element has been fastidiously designed with the consumer. It’s futuristic and timeless on the identical time. It’s a rolling piece of artwork.”
With handcrafted interiors, bespoke detailing, and a brilliant highly effective 6.2 L LT1 Corvette V8 engine delivering 525 horsepower, the Vesper is each a collector’s merchandise and a efficiency machine.
For extra data: Uncover the Vesper
With over 5 million views on social media in simply two days, your custom-built Defender ‘Strawberry Fields Endlessly’ has was a social media phenomenon. What was so particular about this bespoke Defender?
Final August 2025, The Landrovers unveiled Strawberry Fields Endlessly, a daring and flamboyant construct that shortly went viral.
Daniel van Oort: “Each Defender we construct is exclusive. Some purchasers need understated luxurious; others dream of a head-turning assertion. Strawberry Fields Endlessly was precisely that, a Panterra-powered machine with a daring design. It linked with hundreds of thousands of individuals as a result of it was greater than a automobile, it was a narrative.”
The viral success confirmed the worldwide urge for food for individuality in automobile tradition, with bespoke automobiles changing into cultural icons in their very own proper.
For extra data: See Strawberry Fields Endlessly
You deal with open-top requests: inform us about your in-house developed and constructed full electrical convertible rooftop?
The Landrovers are always challenged by their purchasers’ distinctive requests. One such request was for a totally electrical convertible Defender with an computerized roof.
Frank Tijs: “Since there was nothing available on the market that matched our requirements, we determined to engineer it ourselves. That means, we keep full management, good high quality, and the liberty to innovate.”
What started as a one-off fee has now turn out to be certainly one of their hottest choices. The corporate’s rising experience in self-developing elements – from wheels and grilles to suspension techniques – has made this type of innovation second nature.
You have got expressed that you’re not into the sector of restoration however somewhat working within the house of “reimagination”. Are you able to elaborate additional?
In contrast to extra conventional restorers, The Landrovers see themselves as reimaginers.
Peter Zeisser: “Restoration is about fixing up the previous. We reimagine. We begin with a chassis, but it surely’s fully optimised and galvanised for longevity. From there, we enter a design journey with the consumer the place nothing is commonplace and every thing is reconsidered.”
This philosophy has led to numerous improvements. “We all the time assume in a means that doing one thing your self in one of the simplest ways attainable, with the very best individuals, provides the most effective outcomes”, continues Peter.
Just a few examples of those improvements embody:
- Customized wiring techniques and harnesses designed and totally construct in-house for security, flexibility, and flawless integration.
- Aluminium dashboards with bespoke gauges and HMI shows, changing plastic with brushed metallic for an expensive end. All designed and constructed at our workshop in Amsterdam.
- Redesigned rear tubs and seating for elevated legroom and luxury, even accommodating the wants of taller house owners. Daniel is nearly 2 metres tall and wanted some house within the again. That’s why the developed a totally new rear tub. It provides the car three ajustable rear seats and extra room for the individuals within the again.
Daniel van Oort: “Our Honey Badger construct for Japan is a good instance of how far we go for our prospects. All the pieces, from wheels and fabric to the grille, air flow, and even the speaker set, was designed and construct in honeycomb fashion. And sure, it’s right-hand drive. That’s the extent of element we thrive on. We’re so happy with our first even {custom} construct Defender in Japan.”
Click on right here for extra about Honey Badger
Do you presently deal with the wants of potential patrons throughout the globe? Do you might have some examples of somewhat uncommon bespoke orders?
The Landrovers have delivered builds internationally, with specific concentrate on the U.S., Center East, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Daniel van Oort: “These areas have a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, element, and perfection. That’s why we love constructing for purchasers there.”
A few of the most uncommon requests embody the Libelulla, designed down to each sew by the consumer, and the Mainbeach, whose interiors and roof had been colour-matched to the sands of the seaside the place it will be pushed.
“However let’s be trustworthy. We reside by the concept each want is our problem. It provides us a imaginative and prescient to develop and to blow our purchasers minds”, continues Daniel.
You don’t point out any worth vary in your web site … how do you reply potential patrons there?
Peter Zeisser: “Our builds are essentially the most unique on this planet. Costs begin at $442,500, with a further $110,000 for an electrical Panterra drivetrain. However for our purchasers, it’s not often concerning the worth. They need essentially the most unique, essentially the most lovely, essentially the most private design attainable, even with options that don’t exist but.”
How do established automobile producers view your present bespoke operation?
The Landrovers see themselves as a part of a broader bespoke tradition within the automotive world.
Peter Zeisser: “From Singer’s reimagined Porsches to our Defenders, bespoke builders add worth to the model itself. When somebody sees a Landrovers creation, additionally they consider Land Rover. That’s good for each of us. We create dream machines, and we elevate the marque on the identical time.”
What’s your favorite car-related museum on this planet?
Daniel van Oort: “For Land Rover lovers, the Dunsfold Assortment is exclusive. However the Louwman Museum within the Netherlands additionally has an unimaginable assortment of uncommon and historic vehicles. It’s all the time inspiring to go to.”
In case you had been to call one mentor who has impressed you in establishing The Landrovers, who would that be?
Peter Zeisser: “Richard Branson has been an ideal inspiration — not solely his sense of journey, but in addition his concentrate on individuals. Early on, we seen our craftsmen weren’t all the time taking good care of themselves. So, we employed a chef for natural meals, launched tai chi, soccer at lunch, and created a office that feels extra like a competition floor than a automobile manufacturing unit.”
He smiles: “In case you get pleasure from coming to work, you get pleasure from creating one thing extraordinary. And our purchasers really feel that power in each automobile we ship.
For extra data, head to The Landrovers’ official web site and social media platforms right here.
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