Land Rover Adds 518hp V8 to Defender Line Up

The fastest Land Rover Defender yet has arrived. The Defender V8 is the latest addition to the line-up with 518bhp, going from 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds. The toughest 4×4 to hit the roads from Land Rover and it is not for the faint-hearted. The model takes inspiration from the Defenders of the 70s, a nod to the heritage while bringing it right up to date.

What’s New?

There is more to this model than you may initially think, with new springs and dampeners, along with larger anti-roll bars, a specially calibrated gearbox and electronic rear differential. The V8 is for those seeking adventure, with power to match, finished off with the ultimate driving experience.

So that covers what is going on underneath the hood, but what about the aesthetics? First off, you will know a V8 when you see one, let’s put it that way! 22-inch alloys, four tailpipes and V8 tread plates are just some of the features that come locked and loaded into this model, as standard.

There is also a Carpathian Edition of the V8, which sees the addition of xenon-blue front brake callipers, certainly set to catch the eye, as well as satin black towing eyes, all finished off with a black roof, a black bonnet and a black rear door. Perfect for those wanting understated luxury that is slick to look at and plenty of fun to drive.

The V8 is a standard 5.0-litre vehicle, with a four-wheel drive and the all-new Terrain-response system, with the additional Dynamic mode. If you fancy a slice of the new version, which is already rolling off production lines, you are looking at around £98,505 for the Defender 90 and around £101,150 for the larger Defender 110, without any of the optional extras.

Alongside this announcement, came news of some changes and additions for the model change in 2022, which look both promising and exciting.

To start with, there is a new trim in town, and it is the XS edition. It will replace the launch trim of the new Defender and will sit just above the middle of the range, above the SE trim. 20-inch alloys, Matrix LED headlights and air suspension are three of the most anticipated features, along with a rear view camera, body-coloured cladding and a choice of four different paint finishes, all classically Land Rover.

A new and improved touch screen will be coming from 2022, too, with the Pivi Pro infotainment system loaded onto it with a newly improved navigation system. The touch screen is ten inches as standard, with an option to upgrade to a slick 11.4 inches.

The Exterior

Looking at exterior touches, there are new packs to add to your Defender. The Bright pack will see chrome added to the vehicle, while the Extended Bright Pack adds silver highlights to the cladding and the wheel arches. If you’re looking for a more stylish finish, the Black Pack will be of interest for sure. It will give you a gloss black finish on the grille, badges, mirror caps, body cladding, and bonnet plate.

There are no engine changes to note, and aside from the V8 model that is a beast of its own, customers will be able to choose from a petrol or diesel 3.0-litre straight-six mild-hybrid unit, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, so there are plenty of options, depending on what you are looking for.

Shop Online for Defender Accessories and More

When the new Defender came onto the market in 2019, it was met with indecision and excitement in equal measures, having big shoes to fill from its predecessor that had dominated the 4×4 market for decades previously. However, these new additions and tweaks to the performance and aesthetics really set this new Defender apart from the old, as well as letting it stand in its own right amongst the Land Rover line-up.

One of the beauties of the newer model is that there are plenty of options to make it your own, depending on what you will be using the car for, and what you need it to be able to tackle. From adding a roof rack for those weekend camping trips and trips to the sea to customising the look with a spare wheel cover, or maybe more practical options like mats and mud flaps to keep it looking a little newer for a little longer. If you’re looking for Land Rover accessories, you can shop them here, or get in touch if you have something more specific in mind.

As for the Defender V8, it will be great to see some on the roads and maybe get behind the wheel of one, to see what that power feels like in the real world.