The Land Rover Defender Gets A Beefy V8 To Its Arsenal

• Paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the Defender V8 goes from 0-100kmph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 240kmph.

• Tweaks to the suspension, dampers, and a new electronic active rear differential.

• Additions include a quad exhaust system, 22-inch alloys, and Xenon Blue front brake calipers.

• The Carpathian Edition comes in a new body colour and with Narvik Black accents on the roof, hood, and tailgate.  

• MY2022 updates include an 11.4-inch infotainment system (optional), wireless charging (standard), and three new accessory packs.

The Land Rover Defender already has the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engine options on offer. Now, the carmaker has expanded its lineup by unveiling the flagship Defender V8. Offered in the 90 and 110 body styles, it is the most powerful variant, packing significant performance enhancements. 

Propulsion is carried out by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine (paired with an eight-speed automatic), producing 525PS of power and 625Nm of torque. The Defender V8 90 can make the 0-100kmph sprint in 4.9 seconds and its top speed is 240kmph. 

A beefy engine aside, the Defender V8 boasts unique suspension and transmission tuning, improved springs and dampers, and a new electronic rear differential. There’s also a new ‘Dynamic’ driving mode that sharpens throttle response and stiffens the suspension. 

Distinctive design elements include a quad exhaust system, 22-inch alloy wheels, and Xenon Blue front brake calipers. The cabin gets Ebony Windsor Leather upholstery and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. With the Defender V8 comes the new Carpathian Edition that wears a Carpathian Grey body shade and sports Narvik Black accents on the roof, hood, and tailgate.  

Land Rover has provided a few MY 2022 updates to the Defender, including the optional 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system and standard wireless charging. Other additions include three new exterior packs: Bright, Extended Bright, and Extended Black. The first adds chrome elements to the skid plate, grille bar, and badging. The second has Ceres Silver elements on the lower-body cladding and wheel arches. And the third features black accents on the front and rear skid plates, grille bar, mirror caps, badging, lower-body cladding, the wheel arches. 

Meanwhile, bookings for the P400e plug-in hybrid have begun in India, and deliveries are expected to commence in April 2021. While there’s no word on whether the beefy V8 would make it to the India-spec Defender, we could soon see a diesel engine join the lineup. Currently, the SUV is only provided with a 300PS 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and retails from Rs 73.98 lakh to Rs 1.08 crore (ex-showroom).