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Just a few days ago, JLR announced that Land Rover will launch six all-electric SUVs in the next five years, as the group aims to become fully carbon-neutral by 2039. And this … is not one of them. In fact, it is the exact opposite.
Yes, we all knew it was coming and now it has come. Land Rover has kept its tried and tested 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in the new Defender. Available as a two-door short-wheelbase ’90’ or a four-door long-wheelbase ‘110’, the V8 Defender makes 518 hp, accelerates to 60 mph (97 km / h) in a shade less than 5 seconds and reaches a maximum of 240 km / h. Unsurprisingly, the fuel economy is impressive: just 8.3 km / L and 327 g / km of CO2.
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Fortunately, the Defender’s chassis and suspension have been beefed up to cope with the added power, though not, Land Rover says, to the detriment of its off-road capability. The larger diameter solid stabilizer bars are meant to reduce, uh, roll. Then there’s the new ‘Electronic Active Rear Differential’, stiffer suspension bushings, custom springs and dampers, and a new ‘Dynamic’ mode for the Terrain Response system that helps drivers “exploit the more dynamic character” of the V8. ” on asphalt and loose surfaces “.
Spot a V8 Defender by looking for quad tailpipes, blue brake calipers (front axle only, rare), 22-inch dark gray alloy wheels, and V8 badges. Inside, you get sleek leather upholstery with suede / Robustec accents, an alcantara steering wheel, and satin black trim. The ‘Carpathian Edition’ V8 adds a semi-matte wrap over ‘Carpathian Gray’ paint to protect “against everything from scratches in the parking lot to off-road rash.”
The V8 arrives as part of a wider Defender update to the 2022 specification. In short, the Defender First Edition has been replaced by the Defender XS, the clever ‘Pivi Pro’ infotainment system is optionally available with a larger touchscreen 11.4-inch, and three new exterior styling packages are offered.
Price? The Defender V8 starts at £ 98,505 (P6.77 million) for the 90 or £ 101,150 (P6.95 million) for the 110. It’s not cheap on its own, but remember, the Mercedes-AMG G63 costs almost £ 150,000 (P10 31 million).
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor modifications have been made.
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