Want It? Can't Have It: Land Rover to Build 400HP Defenders

The Brits get a bunch of good stuff to which Americans have no access. Yorkshire puddings. Grand Tour tapings. Walkers-branded potato chips from the makers of Lay’s. Okay, maybe the last one makes no difference.

Chalk up another win for the old country, though, as they’ll soon be able to hand over 150,000 of the finest British pounds in exchange for the most-powerful Land Rover Defender ever to roll out of the factory gates.

The 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 produces 400 horsepower and about 380 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are well north of the standard Defender, which delivered 120 horses and 265 units of twist. The company says it’ll scamper from 0-60 mph in about five and a half seconds. Just don’t try that trick while fox hunting in the North. Hooked to the V8 is an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the 1979 Series III Stage 1 V8 models and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition. These two machines are highly sought after by enthusiasts and there’s no reason to think this newest ‘roided-out Defender will do anything but appreciate in value, either.

“The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull,” said Tim Hannig, Classic Director at JLR. “We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”

Eight standard body colors include two satin finishes that will contrasting with a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches, and front grille. Land Rover will sprinkle machined aluminium on the door handles, fuel filler cap, and Defender bonnet hood lettering. A lighting upgrade includes LED peepers.

Snazzy ‘Windsor Leather’ interior trim covers the dashboard, door panels, and headliner. Recaro sports seats keep the driver and passenger in place while bouncing over the Cotswolds. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System is also fitted, keeping things looking appropriately retro while not forcing customers the indignity of doing without modern electronic conveniences.

Both the stumpy 90 and long-of-leg 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic. In the UK, prices will start from £150,000 for a 90-spec, which converts to just over $200,000 at today’s exchange rates. The V8 powertrain will be fitted to just 150 specially selected and re-engineered Defenders.