Hotter Land Rover Defender V8 coming to rival Mercedes-AMG G63

Land Rover has hinted about producing a hotter Defender that will be positioned above the V8 model just introduced a couple of weeks ago.

The premium brand automaker says this will be made possible after the Jaguar Land Rover bought Defender specialist Bowler.

The target is to rival Mercedes-Benz AMG G63, says the Managing Director, Special Vehicle Operations at the ‎Jaguar Land Rover, Michael van der Sande.

He stated this in an interview with Australian magazine Carsales, according to a report by motor1.com.

Visual details that mark the V8 out from lesser Defenders are quad exhausts, dark grey, 22in alloy wheels and bright blue brake calipers.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in leather and suede, the steering wheel and gear lever are trimmed with Alcantara, and the dashboard has a satin black finish.

The man calling the shots at the JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations division also spoke on the prospects of an amped-up SV or SVX derivative of the reputable off-roader.

When asked why the Defender V8 doesn’t carry either of the two suffixes in its name, van der Sande explained it lacks the “amount of technical changes you would expect on an SV product.”
His biggest clue regarding a potential new range topper for the Defender lineup came next when he was asked whether there would be a go-faster model: “Our purchase of Bowler last year was very intentional.”

He went on to explain the reason behind the decision to purchase the Defender specialist, mentioning JLR was “slightly underrepresented in performance off-roading.”

This possible flagship is likely to focus on strengthening the SUV’s capabilities off the beaten path rather than just simply adding power. After all, the Defender V8 already pumps out 518hp (386 kW) and 461 lb-ft (625 Nm) from its supercharged 5.0-liter V8, so it’s certainly not lacking in the power department.

The starting price would significantly increase over the regular Defender V8, which already isn’t exactly cheap.

The smaller two-door 90 begins at $97,200 while the bigger four-door 110 will set you back $100,400, and that’s before the destination charges. It’s too soon to say upon which body style a Bowler-prepared version would be based but expect it to cost well into six figures. For the sake of comparison, a Mercedes-AMG G63 retails for $156,450 before options.

Before the Defender gets Bowler’s off-road treatment, Land Rover will extend the SUV’s lineup with the long-awaited 130 model.

Due within the next 18 months, the family-friendly specification will add a third row after stretching the body to 201 inches (5.1 metres) while retaining the Defender 110’s wheelbase.

The reports adds that a pickup truck could follow at some point as the Tata Motors-owned brand wants to greatly diversify the Defender family to attract a wider customer base.

Last month, Land Rover confirmed plans for a fully electric version of the Defender.

The V8 is a supercharged 5.0-litre petrol unit that produces 518bhp and 461lb ft of torque. It is slightly down on the figures of the Range Rover Sport SVR, but still enough for 0-60mph in 4.9sec and a top speed of 149mph.

The Defender V8 has a unique suspension tuning and an electronic active rear differential to improve its cornering composure and agility.

It also has a new dynamic driving mode, which sharpens up the accelerator and steering responses, further tightens body control and turns up the volume on the engine.