RE: Land Rover launches new 525hp Defender V8

[cerb4.5lee]

TheOversteerLever said:

They're growing on me and I've got to say,

I'm very much like that as well. There is one a few doors away from me in a green colour, and at first I thought that it looked hideous, but I'm definitely starting to warm to it now though.

[RacerMike]

borat52 said:

loveice said:

Merc kept all 3 diff locks for its G500 and G63. Is the new electronic active rear diff on this V8 Defender manually lockable? Any chance of an OEM front diff lock?

From the off road demo's that they've done with it, I'd say its better off with the electric diff.

There's some new learning on the V8 too with some very, very clever use of brakes on the front axle. The Rear Diff is basically fully locked in off road modes, and then adds to it's dynamic capability when driving. A front 'locker' would make much difference to it's ability off road, but would add a lot of cost and complexity that's not really needed.

[borat52]

RacerMike said:

There's some new learning on the V8 too with some very, very clever use of brakes on the front axle. The Rear Diff is basically fully locked in off road modes, and then adds to it's dynamic capability when driving. A front 'locker' would make much difference to it's ability off road, but would add a lot of cost and complexity that's not really needed.

I'm not an old defender anorak at all and correct me if I'm wrong but even the old ones didn't have front locks did they?

[TheOctaneAddict]

Yep that'll do. Big silly v8s are always a win.

[The Wookie]

Ninja59 said:

I worry as most recent petrols fitted with OPF's should sound good but frankly most I have heard sound pretty pants and I include that from the most humble to some of the most extreme models.

My F-Pace SVR has the same engine and has a GPF, I really wouldn’t worry about it

Especially once it’s done 15k and it’s fired all the baffles out if mines anything to go by

[B10]

Shame they only show it in evil pimp spec.

[A.J.M]

Big silly v8, fast, comfortable and with all the refinements that the new one has.
But with a decent soundtrack and performance.

This will sell very well in markets where petrol costs pennies.
Here, it will be like the RRS SVR.
A small market but glad it’s being done.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

The Spruce Goose said:

Great looking cars. But 100k plus, anyone know where the money has been spent?

Servicing corporate debt and share dividends?

[rev-erend]

The 2 door looks super tough.

I'll take one.

[loveice]

borat52 said:

RacerMike said:

There's some new learning on the V8 too with some very, very clever use of brakes on the front axle. The Rear Diff is basically fully locked in off road modes, and then adds to it's dynamic capability when driving. A front 'locker' would make much difference to it's ability off road, but would add a lot of cost and complexity that's not really needed.

I'm not an old defender anorak at all and correct me if I'm wrong but even the old ones didn't have front locks did they?

The old defender didn't even have a rear diff lock or any terrain response traction controls either. But that doesn't stop LR introducing those two off road features to the new Defender. The point is that all its competitions (Wrangler and G-Class) have front diff locks either as standard (in G-Class' case) or as an option (when choosing the Rubicon model). As the V8 Defender costs over £100k already, surely costs isn't the problem. It's what LR believes. I find it's strange that some people and indeed LR think electronic traction control somehow contradict with manually lockable diff locks. They don't. You can have both. And it will be driver's choice to use pure electronic traction control to find off road traction or manually lock the diffs by themselves, or even have both on at the same time. Why can't a £100k+ off roader offer both choices? Merc can do it. Jeep can also do it for half the price...

Edited by loveice on Thursday 25th February 09:45

[TNH]

Not one for SUVs but this looks brilliant.

Judging by the number of Range Rover Sport SVRs you see around people still have plenty of money to drop on £100k V8's so I bet (and hope) it sells like hot cakes for them. People are clearly undeterred by the iffy reliability of JLR products as well.

[philmots]

Love it but it’s all about that engine.

I’d take an F Pace SVR and pocket the 30k change

[swisstoni]

This is what must make competitors cry onto their bratwurst.
There they are languishing at the bottom of the JD Car-nerd rankings, but people just love their work.

[RUFRT12]

Looks pretty good.

Now JLR just have to bring back their V12 and all will be well in the land. I would even forgive a hybridised version.

[PH User]

I rather like that. I will take a 90 please

[craigjm]

Ill take a 90 hardtop in dark green with the white steelies and the white top sign written like the one at the launch show.

Goes over to the website to see what that would cost and I find.....

What JLR always do.... announce a car to the press but the car is not there on the configurator! damn it guys learn from the likes of Porsche and Apple and get that sorted. What kind of marketing department does that!

[loveice]

craigjm said:

Ill take a 90 hardtop in dark green with the white steelies and the white top sign written like the one at the launch show.

I don't think that's possible though. The white steelies are 18" which are only available on the 4-pot models as the break discs on the 6-pot models are too big for that particular 18" rim design. And discs on the V8 models are definitely bigger still.

[PH User]

loveice said:

craigjm said:

Ill take a 90 hardtop in dark green with the white steelies and the white top sign written like the one at the launch show.

I don't think that's possible though. The white steelies are 18" which are only available on the 4-pot models as the break discs on the 6-pot models are too big for that particular 18" rim design. And discs on the V8 models are definitely bigger still.

I'm off for a KitKat while I think about the wheels that I would like over my discs.

[David87]

Bad-ass. All-electric Jaguar one week and this the next. Massively appealing to me, but I'm not brave enough to run one in the UK I don't think. Imagine they'll sell a shedload of these in America (where it'd be awesome!).

[GroundEffect]

I never got the Defender. But this I love.