Land Rover Defender V8 is here!

The most potent Land Rover Defender ever made is now available in South Africa. 

Boasting a 5.0-litre supercharged engine with 386kW and 625Nm, the new V8 Defender builds on decades of Land Rover V8 heritage and compliments the existing Defender range of Ingenium petrol, diesel and advanced plug-in Hybrid powertrains. 

Available in both 110 and short-wheelbase 90 body designs, the new V8 Defender delivers heightened performance without compromising Defender’s legendary capability. Engineered to be the fastest and most engaging production Defender ever, it delivers unrivalled agility and driver appeal.

As with all new Defenders, drive from the engine goes through a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, with permanent drive to all four wheels. Its hefty outputs enable the Defender 90 V8 to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 240km/h, while the 110 achieves 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds with the same max speed.

Unique suspension and transmission tuning includes bespoke spring and damper rates and a new Electronic Active Rear Differential, to deliver more agile and engaging handling with improved body control. Larger-diameter and solid anti-roll bars help reduce body roll while cornering, and a uniue Electronic Active Rear Differential introduces a Yaw Controller that allows fine control of cornering attitude as the Dedender reaches and exceeds the limit of grip. 

A new Dynamic program in Terrain Response 2 affords a more playful and responsive character. In this setting, a sharper throttle response and bespoke tuning for the Continuously Variable Damping combine with stiffer suspension bushes for more immediate steering responses. 

Defender V8 Carpathian Edition

The exclusive new Defender V8 Carpathian Edition is the ultimate expression of performance, durability and design, and represents the very pinnacle of the Defender range. Finished exclusively in Carpathian Grey, it’s set apart by a Narvik Black contrast roof, bonnet and, for the first time on New Defender, taildoor. Other visual highlights include V8 Carpathian Edition badging finishes, Satin Black towing eyes and distinctive Xenon Blue brake calipers.

The Carpathian Edition’s exterior is finished with Land Rover’s Satin Protective Film. This recyclable PU-based wrap is applied to external bodywork to give the Defender a contemporary semi-matte finish that also protects against everything from car park scratches to off-road bramble rash.

Inside, the Defender V8 Carpathian Edition features the same upgrades as the V8, with seats finished in Miko Suedecloth and Robustec accents, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and illuminated treadplates.

Defender V8 customers can also select the new Extended Black Pack as an option. This provides a Gloss Black finish for the front and rear skid plates, grille bar, bonnet chequer finisher, badging, lower body cladding and wheel arches for a stealthy and purposeful appearance.

Defender V8 prices

Defender 90 V8                                               R2,359,300

Defender 110 V8                                             R2,432,900

Defender 90 V8 Carpathian Edition                R2,454,700

Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition              R2,528,300

All prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax. All Land Rover vehicles come with standard 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care Warranty and Maintenance Plans.