It’s quickly becoming clear just how far Land Rover is pushing its new Defender platform to create a V8 range-topper. Recent video footage from the Nurburgring and fresh spy pictures show a development car taking to fast-paced track work with confidence, with little in the way of body roll and a deep, burbly soundtrack to go with it. For a circa 2.3-tonne machine like this, it’s impressive stuff.
Not because the concept of an SUV going quickly is a new one, in this segment of squared-off brutes the Mercedes-AMG G63 has affirmed that modern performance can be integrated into a retro-inspired body, no problem. But because Land Rover’s machine will absolutely have to be the class’s best off-roader; for it to achieve Land Rover levels on the mucky stuff and also perform as it’s doing so on circuit amounts to a major feat of engineering.
Mind you, JLR certainly has no shortage of technology to enable it, with the Defender’s air suspension system having already shown its talents in the six-pot P400 we drove earlier this year. The car that was firmer riding but also better through the bends than even the most cooking Discovery variants. There’s also plenty of punch available from JLR’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8. Earlier speculation suggested JLR might fast track a BMW 4.4 into the Defender V8, as part of the brand’s engine deal, but we think the motor in the video below is that 5.0-litre. Hear for yourself and let us know if you agree.
The lack of camouflage on the Defender that’s been spied this week suggests JLR’s far along the development cycle for its hot model. But this car doesn’t exactly look production ready, so we’re probably still some way off the V8’s official launch. Which would make sense, as the new Defender’s just arriving on roads and Land Rover wouldn’t want to tread on the toes of its important halo off-roader. That being said, there certainly isn’t any shortage of appetite for boxy hot SUVs like this...
Original story: 27.05.2020
The deployment of a V8 engine in the new Defender is not a revelation. When previously asked about the possibility, no-one working for Land Rover could keep a straight face - even as they demurred. But the fact is that the larger motor has almost certainly been in the product pipeline since day one; it simply makes too much sense. For one thing, there is an established lineage for a V8 model, and, for another, there is a proven market for it to launch in - one notoriously fat in profit margin.
Additionally, Land Rover has plainly built the new Defender with increased performance in mind. As we found out in both Namibia and the Midlands, the car is a chip off the old JLR block - it handles very capably and in a gratifying way at speed. So much so that even the 400hp P400 feels as though it would benefit from a leg-up in power - something a V8 engine would amply supply.
Precisely which V8 we're talking about is open to discussion. JLR is widely expected to adopt BMW's 4.4-litre V8 at some point in the future as the old supercharged 5.0-litre unit is finally retired. However, the latter is not dead yet, and the thunderous unit remains a popular fixture in Land Rover circles (for buyers, too, if SVO sales are anything to go on). Frankly, alongside the ZF eight-speed transmission, we'd expect it to feature in the new Defender - especially if the manufacturer opts to make the derivative a high-price, low-volume trim.
Given the overwhelming success of the previous car to launch in V8 Defender colours - the Works V8 70th - such a model would be on firm ground. There's nothing guaranteed to stir up the emotions of a Defender devotee than the prospect of deploying a big V8 upfront, as evidenced by the £150k RRP of the old Works' car and its subsequent refusal to depreciate in value.
We're not expecting quite that level of expense for this Defender V8, though with a marked performance gain expected - whether it uses the P450 tunerecently debuted in the F-Type, or something more potent - it isn't going to come cheap. A P400 six-cylinder is £80,000 before anything from the options list is considered, so where does that leave a potential V8? As a more exclusive (and potentially time limited, if it does use the AJ engine) addition to the range, somewhere around £100,000 feels about right. Or might it be more? Anything around that mark would at least give the Defender a niche of its own below the AMG G-Class that it would inevitably be pitched against; that currently retails at £143,000.
Furthermore, as surely many an advocate will attest to, sometimes only a Defender will do. Whatever the Mercedes or any other rival can counter with, the pairing of that badge with eight cylinders nestled up front will be deeply appealing for some. Expect the Land Rover dealerships to be busy once more come June; ending the summer with the crowd-pleasing reveal of something like a Defender V8 would be the perfect tonic for a beleaguered brand. Any expressions of interest now (along with whatever the asking price might be) should see themselves manifested as the real thing some point in 2021.
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