Yahoo Autos The 2022 Land Rover Defender Gets a 518-HP Supercharged V-8
A year into its life, the new Land Rover Defender is getting some updates for 2022. To improve customization and convenience, Land Rover will offer three new accessory packs, a new XS Edition trim to replace the launch-year-only First Edition, and an upgraded Pivi Pro infotainment system with a larger display.
Who cares. The big news is, the Defender is finally getting a V-8.
The Defender V8 (yes, that's the model name) will be available for the 2022 model year, featuring JLR's familiar supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 that has impressed us with smooth power and incredible sounds in many other models. Power output will be sizable, with 518 hp and a meaty 461 lb-ft of torque to keep the Defender plodding along on steep trails. Like the four- and six-cylinder Defender models, the V8 will be available only with an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. JLR says the V8 will do 0-60 in 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 149 mph.
Land Rover has also been hard at work at the Nürburgring tweaking the off-roader to better handle the speed and weight of the V-8-powered model. Tweaks include higher spring rates, tuned dampers, and a stiffer anti-roll bar. Ride height is unchanged, meaning the Defender V8 keeps the stellar approach, breakover, and departure angles of the standard truck.
The 'Ring tuning comes with one key tradeoff. "With a stiffer anti-roll bar, you do lose a little bit of articulation," Land Rover chassis and motion control systems senior manager Adam Southgate told Road & Track. "The total articulation is only if you've got a completely free wheel. However, we recover that that using the traction control and the active rear differential on this car."
