MOUNTAINS OF POWER |
Is there truly a point to lobbing a massive V8 into a car that has already proven its all-terrain prowess, as well as the Land Rover Defender? We think so…
Brushing the sceptics aside, the new-generation Land Rover Defender has proven that it has what it takes to conquer almost any terrain. At least that is the case with the rugged base model D240 S Driven reported on precisely a year ago.
Built to conquer the bush, the Defender 90 is rugged, masculine, and capable. It is now also very fast, thanks to the addition of 386 kW and 625 Nm worth of V8 hardware under the bonnet.
HISTORY OF POWER
The new-gen Defender 90 is not the first to pack V8 power. That distinction belongs to the coil-sprung Series III that was initially launched with four-cylinder engines in 1984, with a V8 added to the line-up in March 1985. In 2018, a Defender Works V8 70th Anniversary Edition 110 also breaks cover, putting the idea of another eight-cylinder Landy to rest for good.
That was then.
Rushing to keep Defender buyers from looking elsewhere for their power fix, Land Rover’s foray into V8 territory has again paid off in heaps, as we discovered during a week-long test of the newby.
LOOKING THE PART
In short-wheel base configuration, the Defender already looks rather aggressive. Add massive 22” alloys shod with 275/45 tyres, bright blue brake callipers, and a quartet of exhaust extending out from under the rear bumper, and you have a one-of-a-kind all-terrain beast that is impossible not to take seriously. Have I mentioned that our test unit was finished in high-gloss Santorini Black, with gloss black alloy wheels rounding off the exterior look?
The combination of gleaming black paint, gloss black wheels, blackout grille treatment, and privacy glass adds to the car’s allure, hinting rather strongly at its high-performance intentions.
Besides the tailpipes, no additional trim at the rear differentiates the V8 from its ‘lesser siblings’. I love the 3D effect of the quad-taillights, although some might find it a little overbearing. On second thought, that would have it fit right in with the Defender’s overall attitude.
The interior, too, is a dreamscape of gears and switches, all swathed in leather and suede trim, with dark accents elevating the Defender cabin to its rightful place at the top of the Defender range.
Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro 11.4” touchscreen infotainment system is the centrepiece in the neatly laid-out dashboard. Its high-resolution screen, coupled with a 360-degree camera, is one of the best in the business. Secondary vehicle controls – including the terrain response selector, diff-lock controls, and gear selector – are found below the dash, while several large storage bins and cup holders ensure that all your gear has somewhere safe to be when you decide to put your foot down.
Although this is the short-wheel version of the Defender, the cabin is genuinely spacious. Ingress and egress to the rear is a little tricky and cumbersome, given that the ‘shorty’ has two doors. Land Rover could also consider simplifying the seat-moving operation for rear passengers.
Being the top dog Defender, several high-tech gadgets are fitted as standard, including a wireless smartphone charger, adaptive cruise control, 14-way-adjustable electric heated and cooled front seats, electric steering column adjustment, climate control, and configurable mood lighting.
Additional highlights include Matrix LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors with rear cross-traffic alert, and clear exit monitor, which prevents a door from opening into approaching traffic.
DEFEND YOUR POSITION
With its V8, the Defender has phenomenal performance, dispatching the zero to 100 km/h dash in a mere 5.2 seconds. Not bad for a 2.5-tonne SUV.
Its heft means that it feels even quicker than its impressive numbers suggest. A highly responsive throttle and ludicrously loud exhaust adding to the drama, while independent suspension all around ensures that the V8 Defender is surprisingly agile, even supple, whether on-road, or off.
LAST WORD
The Defender V8 probably shouldn’t exist. Besides being an all-out performer for the aesthetically minded, it doesn’t really make practical sense. On the other hand, that isn’t the point of it, as the feeling you get while tearing down the road in a brick of an SUV can hardly be matched. If you’re seeking G Wagon-type attention, you will get it and then some in this car. And why should that be a bad thing?
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © LAND ROVER SOUTH AFRICA
