Automotive

Land Rover celebrates 70th anniversary of the Defender in V8 style

Land Rover celebrates 70th anniversary of the Defender in V8 style
Land Rover's limited-edition 70th anniversary 400-hp Defender Works V8
Land Rover's limited-edition 70th anniversary 400-hp Defender Works V8
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Only 150 examples will be produced with an eye-watering starting price of £150,000 (US$208,000) for the 90-inch wheelbase model (pictured)
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Only 150 examples will be produced with an eye-watering starting price of £150,000 (US$208,000) for the 90-inch wheelbase model (pictured)
Land Rover's limited-edition 70th anniversary 400-hp Defender Works V8
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Land Rover's limited-edition 70th anniversary 400-hp Defender Works V8
Defender Works V8: Santorini Blackroof, arches and front grille as well as machined aluminum door handles, fuel filler cap and bonnet Defender badge
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Defender Works V8: Santorini Blackroof, arches and front grille as well as machined aluminum door handles, fuel filler cap and bonnet Defender badge
Performance components such as the uprated brakes and suspension derived from the Defender Works V8, can be fitted to the classic Defender as well
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Performance components such as the uprated brakes and suspension derived from the Defender Works V8, can be fitted to the classic Defender as well
The Windsor leather interior highlights the car's performance credentials with the fitment of Recaro bucket seats
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The Windsor leather interior highlights the car's performance credentials with the fitment of Recaro bucket seats
The 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox is fitted with a pistol shifter and a semi-automatic shift mode
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The 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox is fitted with a pistol shifter and a semi-automatic shift mode
The 5.0-liter V8 packs 400-hp (299 kW) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque and will take the Defender Works V8 from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.6 seconds (90-inch wheelbase model only) and give it a limited top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h)
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The 5.0-liter V8 packs 400-hp (299 kW) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque and will take the Defender Works V8 from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.6 seconds (90-inch wheelbase model only) and give it a limited top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h)
The 70th edition badging adorning the rear-end of the Defender Works V8
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The 70th edition badging adorning the rear-end of the Defender Works V8
A transparent cutaway of the drive-line and the ladder-frame chassis
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A transparent cutaway of the drive-line and the ladder-frame chassis
The Defender Works V8 is fitted with exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber
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The Defender Works V8 is fitted with exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber
Chassis upgrades to the Defender Works V8 include upgraded brakes with four piston calipers and a handling kit that features better springs, dampers and anti-roll bars
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Chassis upgrades to the Defender Works V8 include upgraded brakes with four piston calipers and a handling kit that features better springs, dampers and anti-roll bars
The 70th edition Defender alongside the car that started it all
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The 70th edition Defender alongside the car that started it all
View gallery - 12 images

Land Rover's Classic division is rolling out a limited edition V8-powered beast to mark the 70th anniversary of the iconic Defender. Billed as the most powerful and fastest Defender ever created by Land Rover, theDefender Works V8 packs a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter gasoline V8 that makes 400-hp (299 kW) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque.

The first V8 Defender since1998, the re-engineered Defender Works V8 combined the naturally-aspirated engine with an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox to achieve 0-60 mph (97 km/h) takes 5.6seconds (90-inch wheelbase only), with a limited top-speed of 106 mph (171 km/h).

To help cope with the power, the 70th edition has uprated brakes with four-piston calipers and a handling kit with better springs, dampers andanti-roll bars. The familiar body sits on 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels wrappedin all-terrain rubber. Performance upgrades like the uprated brakes and suspension derived from the Defender Works V8, can be purchased for the standard Defender as well.

The 5.0-liter V8 packs 400-hp (299 kW) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque and will take the Defender Works V8 from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.6 seconds (90-inch wheelbase model only) and give it a limited top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h)
The 5.0-liter V8 packs 400-hp (299 kW) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque and will take the Defender Works V8 from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.6 seconds (90-inch wheelbase model only) and give it a limited top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h)

Eight standard colors are offered with two satin finishes and 70th edition badging. Coupled with the Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and grille,the 70th edition also features machined aluminum door handles, fuelfiller cap, bonnet Defender badge and upgraded LED headlamps.

The interior is trimmed in Windsorleather and is dominated by large Recaro bucket seats. Other additionsto the 70th edition include a pistol shifter for the gearbox and, perhaps to the horror of true-believers, asmall infotainment screen.

Only 150 examples will be produced with an eye-watering starting price of £150,000 (US$208,000) for the 90-inch wheelbase model (pictured)
Only 150 examples will be produced with an eye-watering starting price of £150,000 (US$208,000) for the 90-inch wheelbase model (pictured)

Land Rover Classic will offer 150 examples, and such exclusivity comes at a price. The 90-inch and 110-inch wheelbasemodels are available at a starting price of £150,000 (US$208,000).

And while the Defender as we know it is no more, we look forward to what Land Rover has in the wings – details on the new Defender are expected later this year.

Source: Land Rover

View gallery - 12 images
2 comments
2 comments
HaroldBalsac
I've been waiting all week for a great deal like this. Put me down for an even dozen! I like to keep spares around just in case.
MarkErwin
If only they would import the Defender to the US...