The Land Rover Defender with a heart-thumping V8 petrol engine has now joined the high-performance SUV club in India. Priced from Rs 1.90 crore (ex-showroom), the SUV is available in two variants. Before we delve into the details, let’s talk money:
Defender V8 Variants |
Ex-showroom Price |
Standard |
Rs 1.90 crore |
Carpathian Edition |
Rs 1.98 crore |
At Rs 1.9 crore (ex-showroom), the Defender V8 isn’t cheap. However, it’s much more affordable than its rival, the Mercedes-AMG G63, which is priced at Rs 2.44 crore (ex-showroom).
At the heart of the matter -- both literally and figuratively -- is a 5-litre V8 belting out 525PS and 650Nm. It drives all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic. Despite the brute of an engine, its performance isn’t exactly what you’d call ‘brutal’. The SUV goes from 0-100kmph in 5.4 seconds, which, don’t get us wrong, is undoubtedly quick. But the 585PS G63 AMG does the same in 4.5 seconds. The Defender V8’s top speed is capped at 240kmph.
The SUV has got a stiffer suspension and 22-inch alloy wheels. Also, the new ‘Dynamic’ driving mode (exclusive to the V8) helps you extract maximum performance. Other distinctive features of the Defender V8 include the quad exhausts and Xenon Blue front brake callipers.
The Land Rover Defender V8 locks horns with the Mercedes-AMG G63S. It can also be considered an alternative to other road-biased performance SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, Audi RSQ8, and BMW X5M.
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