Land Rover Defender V8

A 518 bhp supercharged V8 in the new Defender

The Land Rover Defender V8 is the version of the current L663 Defender fitted with Land Rover's 5.0L supercharged V8 petrol engine, with four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Our catalogue lists it from 2021 with 518 bhp and 625 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. This guide is scoped to the L663 Defender V8 from 2021 in 90 and 110 bodies. It is not about the limited Defender Works V8 built on the earlier Defender, which was a different vehicle, and it is not about the later Defender Octa, which has a different engine.

We have not driven this model for this article. This is a desk-researched ownership guide built from two pages we could read in full: Jaguar Land Rover's own press release of 25 February 2021 announcing the V8 and the Carpathian Edition, and the PistonHeads review of the 2021 Defender 90 V8 by Dan Prosser, published on 4 September 2021. We also looked at PistonHeads' used buying guide for the L663 Defender, which is not one of our listed sources: it concentrates on the diesel cars and has no V8 section. That means we have no used-car fault data specific to the V8, and we say so rather than guess. We did not consult the government recall check for this article, and you should use it yourself.

Checking the figures

The power figure is the first thing to get right, because the unit changes between sources. Jaguar Land Rover states 525PS, which is metric horsepower. PistonHeads writes 525hp in its spec box, also the metric figure. Converting 525 PS to mechanical horsepower gives about 518 bhp, which is the figure we use. An advert quoting 525 is probably using PS and one quoting 518 bhp is using ours, so these describe the same car. Torque is 625 Nm in the Jaguar Land Rover release, and PistonHeads gives 461 lb ft between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm, which converts to the same value. Peak power comes at 6,000 rpm according to PistonHeads.

Acceleration is claimed at 5.2 seconds for 0 to 100 km/h, and the release also gives 4.9 seconds for 0 to 60 mph. PistonHeads lists 5.2 seconds to 62 mph, which is close to 100 km/h and agrees with the metric claim. Top speed is given as 149 mph, which the release states as 240 km/h. These are manufacturer claims for the Defender 90, not tests we have done. We did not confirm separate official figures for the 110 from the pages we read, so do not assume the 90's numbers apply to a longer, heavier 110.

PistonHeads gives a weight of 2,546 kg for the 90 V8. Jaguar Land Rover quotes official WLTP consumption of up to 19.5 mpg, or 14.5 litres per 100 km, with CO2 from 327 g/km. PistonHeads prints the same 19.5 mpg and 327 g/km in its spec box. Expect real-world consumption to be worse if you use the performance, and budget fuel accordingly.

On the start date, the release is dated 25 February 2021, and PistonHeads reviewed the car that September. The press images refer to the 22 model year. We give no end date and no production count because neither of our sources states one.

Engine and gearbox

The engine is a 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8, and the release says it drives through an eight-speed automatic. Jaguar Land Rover also describes acoustic tuning of the induction and exhaust, and quad exhaust tailpipes with a distinctive design. PistonHeads praised the crisp throttle response and strong pull despite the car's mass, and enjoyed the mix of V8 rumble and a higher-pitched supercharger whine. It found the eight-speed automatic smooth in everyday driving and responsive when used with the paddles, and the release says the V8 gets paddles with a satin chrome finish.

Neither source discusses engine or gearbox reliability. We therefore have no known failure points to list, and we do not want to invent any. For any car you are shown, ask for the full service history from a Land Rover dealer or specialist, look for evidence of regular oil changes, and ask whether any warranty or software update work has been done on the engine or gearbox. Listen on a cold start and watch for warning lights. Check that the automatic shifts cleanly in both automatic mode and with the paddles.

Chassis, brakes and wheels

The V8 is more than an engine swap. The release describes bespoke spring and damper rates, larger-diameter solid anti-roll bars and an Electronic Active Rear Differential with a Yaw Controller. It also introduces a Dynamic programme in the Terrain Response system, available only on V8 models, which sharpens throttle response, tunes the continuously variable damping and stiffens the suspension bushes for quicker steering response. PistonHeads confirms stiffer air springs and larger anti-roll bars, and says the active rear differential works alongside braking-based torque vectoring.

PistonHeads found the steering precise and intuitive but short of feedback, and body lean pronounced, although the car never felt as if it would tip over. The ride is firmer than a standard Defender, and the car jiggles over uneven tarmac, which the reviewer did not find unbearable. Land Rover says the V8 stays capable off-road, but PistonHeads argues that some rough-terrain ability is inevitably lost when a tall off-roader is tuned for road speed. If you plan serious off-road use, take that seriously and drive the car on the terrain you have in mind.

Brakes are Xenon Blue calipers with 20-inch discs according to the release, and the wheels are unique 22-inch alloys in a Satin Dark Grey finish. PistonHeads says the bright blue calipers looked out of place. It fitted Continental CrossContact tyres that look like ultra-high-performance rubber, with extra sipes cut into the tread blocks. We found no figures for disc or pad wear or tyre life, so ask for brake and tyre invoices, check the discs for lipping and the tyres for even wear, and look for kerb damage on large 22-inch wheels. We also found no source on the air suspension's reliability for the V8. Check that the car raises and lowers properly, that no suspension warning is shown, and that it holds its ride height after standing overnight.

Body, interior and electronics

The exterior detailing includes Shadow Atlas trim and, on the Carpathian Edition, Land Rover's Satin Protective Film, which Jaguar Land Rover describes as a recyclable PU-based wrap with a semi-matte finish. We found nothing on how such a film ages or is repaired, so inspect it closely for lifting edges, stone chips and uneven patches, and ask who applied or replaced any of it. The release lists Carpathian Grey, Yulong White and Santorini Black as V8 colours, and a Narvik Black contrast roof with the first two.

Inside, the V8 has Ebony Windsor leather seats with Miko Suedecloth and Robustec accents, a four-spoke steering wheel with an Alcantara rim, leather covering the airbag housing and gear lever, and illuminated treadplates with a V8 script. An 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen was optional. PistonHeads liked the material quality, fit and finish and the commanding seating position, and thought the two digital displays felt high-tech, but felt that the exposed screw heads and man-made suede wheel looked more decorative than functional. Test every screen function, the paddles, the heated and electric controls fitted to the car, and look for wear on the Alcantara wheel and light-coloured trim, because we have no source on how these wear.

Recalls and history

Neither the Jaguar Land Rover release nor the PistonHeads review mentions any recall for the V8, and neither says anything about open campaigns, which is expected for a launch release and a first drive. That does not mean none exist, only that our sources do not say. We do not state recall numbers or dates. Enter the registration into the government recall check, which we did not consult, and ask a Land Rover dealer for open campaigns and software updates against the car's VIN.

Ask for the full service history, evidence of any accident repair, invoices for brakes and tyres, and written confirmation of the exact model, body length and edition from the car's paperwork and not from the advert. Confirm that the car really is a V8 and not another Defender with V8 styling.

Buying decision

The PistonHeads verdict is that the V8 is the fastest and most powerful Defender yet and has a lot of character, going like stink, making a terrific noise and looking tough. It also thinks the car overreaches as a performance model, and suggests that a Defender with around 400hp and no supercharger would be more comfortable and more sensible. Prices are dated, so compare current adverts and leave any figures in our sources aside.

Decide what you want it for. If it is a loud, fast and distinctive family 4x4 and you accept a firm ride, high fuel use and some loss of rough-terrain ability, the V8 is the one to look at. If you want the best off-road Defender, look elsewhere. Prefer a car with a clean government recall check, a documented service history, even tyre wear, brakes that look right, a suspension that behaves, working screens and electrics, and written confirmation of the exact model, body and edition, and remember that every performance figure in this guide is a manufacturer claim.