2022 Land Rover Defender blessed with a super-charged V8
We knew it was coming! Get ready to hear the pops and crackles!
Ever since 1948, Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic, genuine 4x4s that represent the true meaning of off-roading. A Land-Rover that doesn’t off-road is like a Bugatti priced reasonably! Almost impossible.
The Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Evoque, each defines the world’s SUV sectors, while also becoming the flag-bearers for what Land Rover stands for.
Today, it’s the Defender’s turn to crank it up a bit as Land Rover adds a supercharged V8 model to the Defender lineup as part of a range of enhancements to its unstoppable and award-winning 4×4 family.
The powerful new models are built on decades of Land Rover V8 heritage – the original Stage I V8 of the 70s, North American Specification models of the 90s, and powerful Defender Works V8 – as the characterful engine joins the latest range of efficient Ingenium petrol, diesel, and advanced PHEV powertrains.
- The V8 can be had in either the Defender 90 or the 110. Land Rover says the two-door model, Defender 90, will hit 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds.
- Bespoke chassis settings and tuning to the transmission will see the Defender V8 become the most capable Land Rover yet.
- The Defender V8 Carpathian Edition will now serve as the new flagship.
The choice of the supercharged 5.0L V8 has been chosen from the one found in the Range Rover SVR and Jaguar F-Type R, but while the motor makes 575hp in the former models, for the 2022 Land Rover Defender V8, the power output is set at 518hp and 461 lb-ft of torque which is the same found in the Range Rover Sport Autobiography.
The engine will come married to an 8-speed AT with a four-wheel-drive (obviously), and the carmaker says the two-door version will have a top speed of 149mph. To further add, the Defender’s standard range of engines includes a turbocharged 4-cyl and a 3.0L inline-six.
As for what Land Rover is known for, the 2022 Defender will take the off-roading capabilities up a notch as there are specifically tuned springs and dampers, with even larger anti-roll bars. Moreover, the active electronic rear diff that was optional on other Defender models is now standard on the V8. Yaw Control makes its return to help the Defender V8 achieve a better cornering and traction performance using a computer-controlled rear differential.
The list doesn’t stop here – the new Defender will also have a Dynamic mode in its Terrain Response Mode that stiffens up the suspension and sharpens the throttle response. In case you thought the ‘standard’ Defender was the best yet, you are so wrong!
To differentiate the Defender V8 from its regular counterparts, Land Rover has decided to throw in the quad-tip exhaust, V8 badging on the front fender, and tailgate. Three color choices are available: Carpathian Gray, Yulong White, and Santorini Black.
On the inside, you get unique black leather seats with suede inserts and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with chrome paddle shifters with even an option to upgrade the standard 10-inch touchscreen to a larger, curved 11.4-inch touchscreen.
What are your thoughts on the Defender V8, will you choose it over the standard models considering it shall set you back $85,000 for the two-door 90 and around $90,000 for the four-door 110 model?
