The 2022 Land Rover Defender features suite of powertrains with a 518-horsepower, supercharged V8.
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The supercharged V8 5.0-liter engine offers 518 hp and 461 pound-feet of torque, and can propel the SUV to 60 mph a full second quicker than the fastest Defender currently on sale. It offers 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and top speed of 149 mph. The V8 will anchor the top end of the 2022 Defender's engine lineup, which will include the 2.0- and 3.0-liter engines, which produce 296 and 395 horsepower, respectively. Overseas, the 2022 Defender gets both a diesel engine and a PHEV variant as well. Neither will come to the U.S. this year.
The rear differential, adaptive chassis components and its selectable drive modes or Terrain Response were all recalibrated, as was its torque vectoring programming. A new Dynamic mode will allow drivers to extract all of the Defender V8's potential, or simply hang the rear end out, if you like 4x4. The V8 badges and blue accents in the exterior shots here are included among the dress-up goodies that accompany the bigger engine, and the brakes are bigger too.
Defender V8s ride on standard 22-inch wheels with blue front brake calipers and 15-inch rotors, although 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires are optional. 2022 also marks the introduction of an upgraded Pivi Pro infotainment suite, which now has a larger optional touchscreen (11.4 inches), wireless device charging and a stronger Wi-Fi signal. Land Rover says the new system also boots much quicker and offers superior response to the outgoing unit, both of which are welcome improvements.
The Urban and Country accessory packs are available on the Defender V8. Three color choices are available: Carpathian Gray, Yulong White, and Santorini Black. There's also a special Carpathian Edition that's finished in the gray paint with a black roof and tailgate, V8 Carpathian Edition badging, and black trim pieces, and everything is finished in Land Rover's satin protective film. The Defender V8's interior has unique black leather seats with suede inserts and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with chrome paddle shifters. Its illuminated door sills are also adorned with Defender V8 script. ■
