It’s always nice when someone throws you a birthday party. The Land Rover Defender is getting a big one, with the company building a 400-horsepower V8 version of the off-roader to mark its 70th anniversary.
Right off the bat, we had better clarify that this 400-hp Defender will not be sold in America. Still interested? Good, because this Defender looks incredible, so you’d better read on.
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The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the 1979 Series III Stage 1 V8 models and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition. These machines are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today. There’s no reason to think this newest ‘roided-out Defender will do anything but appreciate in value, either.
Land Rover says this is the most powerful and fastest version of the Defender ever to roll out of the factory. The 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 produces 400 horsepower and about 380 lb-ft of torque. This is well north of the standard Defender which delivered 120 horses and 265 units of twist. The company says it’ll scamper from 0-60mph in about five and a half seconds. Just don’t try that trick while fox hunting off-road in the Cotswolds.
“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,” said Tim Hannig, Classic Director at JLR. “We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”
The V8 powertrain will be fitted to just 150 specially selected and re-engineered Defenders. Hooked to the V8 is an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Land Rover will also install uprated brakes and a handling kit which includes special springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. Eighteen-inch rims will be wrapped with 265/65 all-terrain rubber.
Both the stumpy 90 and long-of-leg 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic. In the UK, prices will start from £150,000 for a 90-spec, which converts to just over $200,000 at today’s exchange rates.
Sadly, thanks to draconian import laws in America, it’ll be a solid twenty-five years before anyone on this side of the pond can legally import one of these V8 Defenders. That’ll just give you more time to practice your fox hunting.