New Land Rover Defender V8 debuts as the most powerful Defender ever

Last Updated on July 10, 2023 by Victor A

Land Rover has unveiled the new flagship model for the Defender line-up, the Land Rover Defender V8.

Available in both model types, 90 and 110; is not only the most powerful Defender, but it’s also the most capable.

Tis is due to a unique suspension and transmission tuning, combined with a new Electronic Active Rear Differential, damper rates, and bespoke springs.

Engine and Specifications

In the engine department, we find a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, pumping out 518 hp and 461l b-ft of torque (625 Nm), with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Defender V8 can accelerate from 0-60 mpg in just 4.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds), and it’s limited to a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). The SUV has a fuel consumption of up to 19.5 mpg (14.5l/100km), and CO2 emissions from 327 g/km.

Handling has also been improved, as the Defender V8 features a new dynamic program found inside the Terrain response system which allows the car to handle better on loose surfaces, while body roll has also been greatly reduced due to solid anti-roll bars with a larger diameter.

But that’s not all, Land Rover also introduced a Yaw Controller, inside the Electronic Active Rear Differential that helps the car to corner even better.

Design

The Land Rover Defender V8 is filled with exclusive exterior and interior features, which sets it apart from the other Defender models.

Exterior

To make the Defender V8 more unique, Land Rover has given it the following features:

• Bespoke exterior badging
• Quad exhausts
• 22-inch alloy wheels in a Satin Dark Grey finish 
• Xenon Blue brake calipers
• 20-inch brake discs

The SUV is available in three colors:

• Carpathian Grey
• Yulong White 
• Santorini Black 

Carpathian Grey and Yulong White are available with a contrast roof in Narvik Black.

NEW EXTERIOR PACKS

More customization options have been offered thanks to three new exterior packs:

• The Bright Pack

Features the grille bar, badging, and the front and rear skid plates in a Noble Chrome finish. This pack is now available for all Defender models.

• Extended Bright Pack 

Offers everything from the Bright Pack, and it adds the lower body cladding and the wheel arches in Noble Chrome finish.

• Extended Black Pack 

Features the grille bar, badging, the bonnet chequer finisher, the lower body cladding, the wheel arches, and the rear skid plates in a Gloss Black finish. This pack is now available only for the Defender X, the Defender X-Dynamic, and the Defender V8. 

Interior

Inside of the SUV, we find unique elegant features which further its exclusivity:

• Seats in Ebony Windsor Leather with Miko Suedecloth and Robustec accents
• Cross Car Beam in a Satin Black finish
• Steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara
• Satin chrome gearshift paddles
• Airbag housing in leather
• Gear lever in leather  
• Illuminated treadplates with a V8 script

PIVI PRO Infotainment Option

A new infotainment upgrade is available which adds a set of quality-of-life improvements like:

• Wireless device charging
• Integrated signal booster
• Larger 11.4-inch touchscreen
• Defender’s Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) 
• An intuitive and customizable menu

Land Rover Defender V8 Carpathian Edition

The Carpathian Edition features the exterior in an exclusive combination of Carpathian Grey with a Narvik Black contrast roof bonnet and tail door, V8 Carpathian Edition badge, Satin Black towing eyes, Xenon Blue brake calipers, and a recyclable Satin Protective Film wrap that protects the SUV against scratches and off-road debris.

For the interior, the Carpathian Edition has the same features as the standard V8 model.

Pricing

Source: Land Rover