Land Rover brands that are popular all over the world

There is a car called Defender. "Defender" is a word you only hear on soccer broadcasts, but that's the name it has. Originally, the Land Rover brand consisted of multiple vehicle models, but now product brands are at the forefront and communication is carried out for each brand. Range Rover models include Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Evogue, while Discovery models include Discovery and Discovery Sport.

The Defender is simpler and has different names depending on the length of its body. "Defender 90," "Defender 110," and "Defender 130" are called "Ninety," "One Ten," and "One Thirty." The numbers used to represent the length of the wheelbase in inches, but the new model uses them as a designation. Therefore, keep in mind that the larger the number, the longer the body.

The Defender is popular all over the world, and has become a hot topic in recent years for its long delivery times. In the first place, mass production plans were limited due to its maniacal appearance, and semiconductor shortages and the coronavirus pandemic played a major role.

However, this has recently started to recover, and new models have been introduced. It is a car equipped with a V8 engine. A high-performance engine such as a 5-liter V8 + supercharger has been added to the lineup. Maximum output of 525ps and maximum torque of 625Nm are the highest figures in the history of the Defender, and are comparable to supercars. Until a while ago, engines with 500ps were only available in a limited number of cars. Of course, the V8 engine has been tuned specifically for the Defender, but it's a reliable engine that has been part of the Range Rover family for many years.

This time the V8 was installed in the Defender 90 and 110. In particular, 110 will now be the third power source. This is because a 3-liter straight-2 turbo gasoline engine and a 4-liter straight-3 diesel turbo mild hybrid are available. The reason has to do with the fact that Defender 6 makes up most of the family. In other words, manufacturers want to meet as many needs as possible. It is clear that orders for the 110 model from mid-2023 will be 2024% for the 90, 8% for the 110, and 90% for the 130. Demand for highly practical five-door two-row seats is surprisingly high.

Pursuing powerful driving, going against the trends of the automobile industry

I wonder if it will actually run, but it shows quite powerful movements from the start. The reaction when you step on the accelerator is strong, pushing the large body forward with a jerk. The roar of the V8 engine at that moment makes you feel that this is a special car. And when you set the drive mode to dynamic mode, which is not found in other engine cars, it becomes even more extreme. At the same time as the exhaust noise gets louder, the timing of upshifts is delayed, allowing you to enjoy a sporty driving experience that uses high engine speeds. What's more, you can double the fun by making full use of the paddle shift. By extracting the power you want in any gear, you can get the ride you want. Its driving performance is unimaginable considering its classic modern appearance.

So, I would like to pay attention to the Defender 8 equipped with such a fun-running V110 engine. In recent years, when electrification has been a hot topic, the introduction of a V8 gasoline engine at this timing has a huge impact. This is exactly against the flow of the world. This is surprising since Jaguar Land Rover is known as a manufacturer that is proactive about electrification.
However, considering the company's policy of transitioning to an EV manufacturer and the current environment of the automobile industry, it is honestly difficult to imagine that this model will remain in the catalog for a long time. Production will likely end at some point. In that sense, I can't help but feel that the V8 engine is the last fireworks before the end of the internal combustion engine. In other words, when I imagine the next generation, it will be a very valuable asset for car enthusiasts. What do you think? Aren't you curious? If you are interested, please try the feeling of V8 at a dealer.

Image courtesy of Land Rover
Text by Tatsuya Kushima

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''