---
title: "This Range Rover Classic Restomod Rocks a Supercharged LS V8 Engine"
description: "The phrase \"they don't make them like they used to\" definitely applies to the Range Rover Chieftain, a Range Rover Classic restomod that does away with the old truck's famously unreliable powertrain in favor of a 556-horsepower, 6.2-liter General Motors V-8."
date: "2018-01-18"
modified: "2018-01-19"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/17775/this-range-rover-classic-restomod-rocks-a-supercharged-v-8-engine"
categories:
  - "Land Rover News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "england"
  - "Jensen"
  - "land rover"
  - "LS Swap"
  - "luxury"
  - "Range Rover"
  - "Restomod"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# This Range Rover Classic Restomod Rocks a Supercharged LS V8 Engine

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/01/range-rover-chieftain-8.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The phrase "they don't make them like they used to" is usually wielded to criticize the cheap, flimsy shortcuts automakers take compared to the built-to-last mindset of the past. But it can also be a positive, like when we're talking about a Land Rover Range Rover Classic [restomod](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/15552/this-1970-mercedes-w111-is-a-gorgeous-sleeper-restomod-rocking-an-amg-v-8-engine>) that does away with the old truck's famously unreliable powertrain in favor of a 556-horsepower, 6.2-liter General Motors V8 engine.

Brought into this undeserving world by the people at Jensen International Automotive, the company created in 2010 to revive [the famed Jensen Interceptor](<https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/735/why-you-need-to-buy-a-1967-73-jensen-interceptor-right-now>) in a very similar manner, [the Range Rover Chieftain](<https://www.jensen-sales.com/chieftain/>) isn't actually a Range Rover at all. Underpinning that beautiful, classic sheet metal is actually the integrated body-frame platform from a third-generation Land Rover Discovery. The LSA V8 engine out of the previous-gen Cadillac CTS-V, a GM-sourced six-speed automatic transmission and transfer case, and independent air suspension round out the major mechanical updates.

![message-editor%2F1516318231474-range-rover-chieftain.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1516318231474-range-rover-chieftain.jpg>)
**Jensen International Automotive**

If all that has a few preservationists spilling their tea in polite shock, consider the fact that the original Range Rover Classic used a Rover V8 that itself was originally adapted from a Buick engine. So really, it's the circle of life. And if meticulous trucks are more your speed, you can always bring a beat-up Classic model [to Land Rover's "Reborn" program](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/7327/land-rover-classic-restored-the-original-range-rover-to-like-new-perfection>) for a (very expensive) full restoration. Pricing on the Range Rover Chieftain hasn't been announced yet.

![message-editor%2F1516318358635-ranger-rover-chieftain-9.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1516318358635-ranger-rover-chieftain-9.jpg>)
*Jensen International Automotive*

![message-editor%2F1516318371796-range-rover-chieftain-5.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1516318371796-range-rover-chieftain-5.jpg>)
*Jensen International Automotive*

![message-editor%2F1516318377914-range-rover-chieftain-6.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1516318377914-range-rover-chieftain-6.jpg>)
*Jensen International Automotive*

![message-editor%2F1516318386772-range-rover-chieftain-10.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1516318386772-range-rover-chieftain-10.jpg>)
*Jensen International Automotive*

Inside, the [restomod](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/6308/this-rig-redefined-what-a-fj-resto-mod-should-be>) boasts a beautiful leather interior with updated controls and satellite navigation. Nothing about it is overwrought or ostentatious—it's a simple, handsome cabin, and the perfect perch from which to survey your countryside estate. Or a suburban shopping center. There's not much in between, really.

So yes, it can now be said that they don't make Range Rover Classics like they used to, and that's undeniably good news. Except for the conspicuous lack of a two-door option, of course.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)