Tuner Twisted Automotive is expanding operations across the pond.  Although based in Yorkshire, England, the firm is setting up shop in Michigan. At present, Twisted specializes in fleshing out the iconic original Land Rover Defender, which was given a massive design overhaul in the middle of the last decade.

The Defender is, however, a model that attracts a traditional-minded pool of cultish enthusiasts, and this is where Twisted shines. After acquiring examples of the pre-revised Defender, the shop’s craftspeople set to work giving it a new life that keeps its outback soul well intact.

That new existence includes a new engine. Twisted Automotive decided on a pair of V8s sourced from General Motors. The base model’s engine pushes 455 horsepower, but the upsell will get you all the way to 650 HP. A GM-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox delivers the goods, although a five-speed stick is available for staunch traditionalists.

The shop designed its own braking system—which includes an automatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential—and it gives its Defender builds a luxurious, tech-oriented cabin with an infotainment system, panoramic camera setup, and climate-controlled seats.

The top of the Twisted Defender lineup is the NA-V8. It can be ordered as a pickup, a ragtop, and a station wagon, with other body styles available. Prices start at $250K.