2 questions for those in the know. Which Land Rover?

[BroadsRS6]

Speaking to a L R fanatic today he said the older 1990s engine is the one to go for. 2.5 litre diesel I believe. So did the company not improve the engine with the later cars in 2.4 and 2.2 litre (was it?) size? Which engine's best from the 1980 to 2015 era Defender?
Secondly if I splashed out on a 4 litre V8 petrol L R about a year old would it be as rugged and capable off road as the last cars? I love the look of them but are they now too posh?

[BroadsRS6]

I've ruled out the latest car. Costs a fortune and I'd be gutted the first time a panel was damaged.
TD5 seems the best. Why did they go to 2.4 and 2.2?

[BroadsRS6]

PS. 4.6 litres of old fashioned V8 to me sounds great in a LR.
Must go well.

[BroadsRS6]

Beautiful engines old V8s. I had a Vauxhall VXR with the 6.2 lump.

[BroadsRS6]

There's a fella here on Skye with what I think would be an amazing LR. His new model has a stonking 296 bhp diesel engine with a massive 479 ft lbs of torque. Add to that 8 gears and the usual low ratio option and surely that's going to be mega.
I'd love one.

[BroadsRS6]

I'm sorted now with a Wrangler 4.0 (i'm behind the sofa right now), but it seems people favour the TD5 and 2.4 as the best choices.
The old fashioned Rover V8 lump, fairly light as i recall, would be great in an old Landy, especially in TVR trim, say the 5.0 version. I can imagine 300 quite lazy bhp being a hoot!