V8 Defender
Land Rover is launching a limited run of 150 V8 Defenders to mark the company’s 70th birthday. But is this a celebration too far?
The Defender has made a return with a special edition 70th anniversary model powered by a 400bhp V8
WOULD YOU pay £150,000 for a secondhand Defender? If the answer is yes, then Land Rover could have just the vehicle you’re looking for. It has the biggest and most jaw-dropping power unit ever stuck under the bonnet of a Defender – and a price tag to match.
Land Rover is turning back the clock to reintroduce the iconic model that finished production over two years ago. It is doing so by re-engineering 150 existing Defenders, which will be known as the Defender Works V8.
And to achieve that they will be turning the clock back even further – in this case 20 years – by installing a powerful V8 petrol engine under the bonnet. This is nothing new, because Land Rover first did this in 1979, with the legendary Series III Stage 1 V8. But back then it was a measure undertaken to address the woeful lack of power from the sluggish diesels of the era.
Apart from a limited run of 4.0-litre (exP38 Range Rover) V8 Defenders introduced in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of Land Rover, nothing has been heard of the gas-guzzler since… until this: the marque’s 70th anniversary.
Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 400bhp and 515 Nm of torque (the outgoing TDCI Defender delivered 120bhp and 360 Nm). The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, while top speed is limited to 106 mph.
Tim Hannig, JLR’S Classic Director, says: “The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector edition Defenders.
“It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time.”
The V8 powertrain will be fitted to 150 specially-selected and re-engineered Defenders for the 70th Edition, complemented by an eight-speed ZF
automatic transmission with sport mode, uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, dampers and anti-roll bars), plus exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.
Eight standard body colours include two satin finishes – contrasting with a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille – finished with machined aluminium door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering. A comprehensive lighting upgrade includes BI-LED headlamps.
Full Windsor Leather interior trim covers the dashboard, door panels, headlining and Recaro sports seats. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System is also fitted.
Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £150,000 for a 90 in the UK.
A select number of high-performance upgrades inspired by Defender Works V8 will also be available to purchase soon from Land Rover Classic, including power upgrades for the TDCI diesel engine, fast-road suspension and braking kits.
Defender Works V8 is available in the United Kingdom, as well as some overseas markets, although this will depend upon those countries’ rules on importation of vehicle conversions.