Himalaya Hue 166 Is A Hand-Built $300k Defender With A 650 HP Supercharged V8

Charleston-based Himalaya presented their latest project, named Hue 166, that’s based on a “perfectly restored” Land Rover Defender. The one-off restomod is inspired by the first version of the iconic 4×4 unveiled back in 1948, but like other Himalaya projects, it comes with significant upgrades in performance, driveability, and a luxurious cabin.

For this project, Himalaya opted for discreet modifications in order to stay faithful to the design of the classic Defender. Thus, the Hue 166 features the “Grasmere Green” paint of the original with a 110 bodystyle and a white-painted roof. The retro-inspired 18-inch wheels shod in BFGoodrich tires are covered by wider custom fenders. The SUV also features rock sliders and underbody protection below the metal bumpers.

Stepping inside from the retractable side steps, you will find handstitched upholstery and modern amenities. The JVC infotainment touchscreen mounted on the center console supports Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity, while equipment includes a premium sound system and dual-zone climate control.

It may look like a classic Defender from the outside, but under the skin, the Hue 166 is a different animal. It is based on a custom latter-frame platform complete with Dynatrac axles, four-link coilover suspension, and Brembo disc brakes. Under the bonnet lies a supercharged LT4 V8 engine sourced from a Corvette that’s producing 650 hp. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Thanks to all that, Himalaya claims the Hue 166 is “the most refined truck to come off the line from the South Carolina-based builder yet”, offering the “smoothest driving rendition of a classic Defender to date”.

The Himalaya Hue 166 is priced at an eye-watering $300,000, which can be (at least partly) justified by the four years of development and the huge amount of work that was put into this restomod. The company will be commissioning similar builds based on the same underpinnings.