Land Rover has confirmed one of motoring’s worst-kept secrets.
The 2022 Land Rover Defender is getting a V8 engine, and it’s locked in for Australia.
Both the Defender 90 and Defender 110 will be available with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, which pumps out 386kW of power and 625Nm of torque.
The smaller, lighter Defender 90 will hit 100km/h in 5.2 seconds and tops out at 240km/h.
Those are hot hatch numbers, but it’s worth remembering the Defender is still a house brick on wheels.
Under the skin, the V8 rides on retuned air suspension with a ‘Dynamic’ mode to make feel more agile than its more mundane siblings.
There are larger anti-roll bars, and the electronic rear differential is able to keep the car in check at the limits of grip – be they dictated by off-road conditions, or the driver’s right foot on the road.
Externally, the Defender V8 can be distinguished from the regular range by its 22-inch alloy wheels and the 20-inch brake discs hiding behind them at the front.
The cabin is differentiated with unique suede accents, a satin black finish for the cross bar, and Alcantara trim for the steering wheel.
The wider Defender range has been treated to a larger screen option for the infotainment system, with a 11.4-inch screen available for the first time.
There are also new exterior packages for the Defender 90 and Defender 110. Stay tuned for our full pricing and spec article today.
2022 Land Rover Defender V8 price
- 2022 Land Rover Defender 90 P525 V8: $200,450
- 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8: $205,500
All prices exclude on-road costs.
