An unexpected joyride!
The Land Rover Defender 90 V8 poses an interesting question, a question I thought I never had. And that question is, what is a Land Rover?
If you think land rover, you probably imagine Kingsley Holgate going to some of the most rural and beautiful parts of the world. Well, this particular version of the Land Rover Defender is similar, except Kinsley trims his beard, only wears Gucci, lives in Sandton and does a lot of anabolic steroids. Because this isn’t your conventional stylish but practical Land Defender but rather the R2.5million 5.0 Supercharged V8 version.
Styling
When I got into the Defender V8, I immediately felt like a proper baller. The Defender has been an attractive car for me since its launch in 2019, and the V8 still has that familiar design. The current design is now three years old. However, like its predecessor, it feels timeless and still really modern and forward-looking. As for the interior, I’m a massive fan. Initially, it felt confusing, and the ergonomics felt a bit all over the place, but as I spent more time with the Defender. I found there’s a real simplicity in how you operate everything in this simple cabin. All of the functions, from the 4WD systems to the towing assist, to the active safety features, work beautifully in tandem with the infotainment system and the digital cluster behind the steering wheel as well as HUD in the windscreen.
The key differences aesthetically between the regular base Defender and the V8 are minor but do still distinguish it somewhat. The exterior has an entirely black finish. Everything is blacked out, the badging, windows, the wheels, everything apart from those nice blue Brembo brake callipers at the front wheels. The interior continues on with the dark theme. Most Defenders have a two-tone finish blending metal or wood with a sleek leather interior. Still, the interior only features a dark finish with some variation in texture. The steering wheel, for example, has an Alcantara finish and some paddle shifters to make it feel more like a race car rather than an overlander.
I like the overall styling of the V8 Defender, and I personally wouldn’t opt for the 90 due to practicality. Still, the shorter wheelbase does make it feel a bit nippier and more sportscar-like. With that being said, I think Land Rover could’ve done more to distinguish the V8 from the base Land Rover Defender. It will take a trained eye to spot the V8 in a Defender line-up. Personally, for me, it’s that not that big of an issue. I actually like its undercover nature. It’s kind of like a sleeper car. Image parking up next to a VW Golf in a thing looking like a brick and then smoking him? However, the Defender 90 X, which is the closest in price to the V8, is R1 740 000. The V8 is then a whopping R754 000 more at R2 494 000. The only difference between the two is the suspension, brakes and the all-important 5.0-litre Supercharged V8.
Performance
When Land Rover dropped off the Defender 90 V8, I knew it was fast. I knew its power output and the 0- 100 time, but those were merely figures on a sheet of paper. I was not ready when I slammed my foot into the ground. It goes like a bat out of hell, like a house rolling down a hillside. It is not just quick for an SUV; it’s quick full stop. The sound of that 5.0 litre Supercharge is impressive. The engine cracks and pops and has a proper monster of a heart.
So this V8 has been featured in a few JLR products, namely the XJ and The XF, not to mention the Range Rover SVR. The base P400 has a decent power at 294 kW, but that’s rookie numbers compared to the 386 kW and 625 N.m. of the V8! This means it has a zero to a 100 of only 4.9 seconds. This Flying brick will go up to 240km/h with ease, thanks to a fantastic Eight-speed ZF gearbox. Just keep a petrol card handy because it does an astonishing 15 litres per 100 km in town. It can probably get down to around 12 or even 10 if you drive it decently, but with the sound of that V8, you probably won’t.
So obviously, Land Rover had to make some changes to the ongoing Land Rover Defender to accommodate the fire-breathing V8. So, they fitted a decent set of blue Brembo brakes callipers over some massive rotors. It also has some massive 20-inch wheels and continentals H/Ts to keep you on the road. The base Land Rover Defender is the first to be built on a monocoque chassis rather than a conventional ladder on frame construction. Most modern vehicles, passenger cars, in particular, utilize this type of architecture with good reason. This particular chassis was developed by JLR and is named the X platform. Land Rover stated during the initial launch that this new Defender is the safest and best-handling Defender ever thanks to the new construction. So, you really have a good sense of confidence and control when you smash it down the straights. Still, I must admit the Defender does suffer from body roll when going around corners. The body roll is less severe thanks to the improved suspension, but it becomes noticeable during high-speed cornering. I have to be clear that this isn’t a performance vehicle. Despite the straight-line performance, it is still just a Defender, not a racecar.
The Defender does remain an extreme off-roader. The modern Land Rover Defender is the first Defender available with a centre and rear locking differential and is also available with a low-range gear, even in this V8 variant. And the addition of the supercharged V8 does not affect the Defender’s off-roading ability.
Conclusion
It is a far cry from the original Defender. The modern Land Rover Defender is a perfect blend of luxury and utility. And it does feel weird to have such a good balance in a vehicle known for how basic it’s supposed to be. Usually, Defenders always compromise style and comfort for off-road capability and utility. However, this new Modern Defender, the V8 in particular, is a far cry from the slow and rugged classic Defender. But still, it feels classic. It feels British. It feels like a proper Land Rover. And yes, you no longer feel like an explorer searching for new frontiers when cruising around town, but rather you feel like a Bond villain in pursuit. So yes, it might upset some of the purists, but brands evolve, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The Land Rover Defender 90 V8 is an extraordinary car. It’s something so wild, so fun, so weird. It’s such a departure from its namesake and truly evolves the Land Rover Brand. But let’s be honest, is it practical? R2,5 Million is a considerable sum of money, and fuel consumption is a real issue. Don’t get me wrong, I love, love, love the Defender 90 V8. It is a weird car and a bit of a sleeper car, and yes, it’s not practical in any way. It is thirsty, tiny and expensive, but it’s also fast and loud and amusing to drive. So, If I had the money… probably yes, I’ll buy it. Who doesn’t want to feel like a bond villain?
