Land Rover Defender V8 70th Edition - 150 Units Re-Engineered by Land Rover Classic for the Marque's 70th Anniversary - Malaysians Can Opt For The Last 12 Units of the Defender Double Cab 2.2

Jaguar Land Rover, under their Land Rover marque, has revealed some special Land Rover Defender in conjunction with the marque's 70th anniversary. Land Rover Classic will sell 150 specially chosen and  then re-engineered units of the iconic Defender in V8 form badged as the 70th Edition. This V8 powered Defender is the most powerful and fastest ever Defender created by Land Rover. Imagine a factory built Defender with a 0-60 (96kmh) mph time of 5.6 seconds. Amazing fast for a slab sided 4X4.

This special version has a V8 engine which makes 405PS and 515Nm torque. Tree pulling performance when compared to the basic 2.2 diesel which was sold here. Aside from that, the re-engineered Defender comes with a luxurious interior which features better seats up front and a lot of leather plastered everywhere.

Speaking of the re-engineering work, Land Rover will actually fit in the V8 engine (from the Range Rover most likely) coupled to an eight speed ZF automatic gearbox which has a sport mode. Chassis work to handle the increase in power includes uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, dampers and anti-roll bars)and exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres. The Defenders would need all the suspension upgrades as it now has over 400Ps to play with.

Land Rover will sell these Defender 70th Edition to the lucky individuals with an option of eight standard body colours include two satin finishes. These will contrast against a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille. These are also finished with machined aluminium door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering. There will be a lighting upgrade which includes bi-LED headlamps.

The interior gets the full Land Rover Windsor Leather interior trim which covers the dashboard, door panels, headlining and the now standard for this edition Recaro sports seats. The Land Rover Classic Infotainment System is also fitted. 

There will be both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £150,000 for a 90 in the UK.  All enquiries from prospective Defender Works V8 clients should be made directly to Land Rover Classic at info@classic.landrover.co.uk  or via their telephone +44 (0) 203 601 1255.

And meanwhile... 

For those of us Malaysians who still yearn for a Defender but cannot stomach 150,000 quid can opt for the last of the last lot of Double Cab Defenders in limited commemorative special colours. These last remaining new and unregistered 12 units of Defenders in Malaysia will also get contrasting black roof and black alloy rims for the Sicilian Yellow and Montalcino Red body colours, whilst contrasting silver roof and rims are paired with the Baltic Blue double cabs. Coloured stitching for the leather gear knob, steering wheel and seats are matched to the exterior paint. The headlining of the commemorative edition defenders in Malaysia have also been upgraded to provide a luxurious feel to the overall cabin.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia is offering the Land Rover Defender Double Cab Commemorative Edition for MYR198,800.00 (inclusive of GST but excludes road tax, insurance and registration). It is powered by a 2.2l Diesel engine and paired with a 6-Speed manual transmission. 

Get it while you still can folks. This is an icon. The next one that comes will be a modern one with a lot of electronics and gizmos. This one is still as pure as it gets.

PRESS RELEASE

DEFENDER LIVES ON: LAND ROVER LAUNCHES V8 EDITION
TO CELEBRATE 70^TH ANNIVERSARY

·        405PS Defender Works V8 celebrates 70 years of Land Rover marque

·        5.0-litre petrol V8 Defender is the most powerful and fastest ever created by Land Rover, with 0-60mph in 5.6sec*

·        Collector’s edition – Limited run of up to 150 Defenders badged 70^th Edition

·         All enquiries from prospective Defender Works V8 clients should be directed to Land Rover Classic: info@classic.landrover.co.uk / +44 (0) 203 601 1255

(PETALING JAYA – 19 January 2018) Land Rover UK today announces a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70^th anniversary in 2018.

The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the50^th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today.

Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 405PS and 515 Nm of torque (the standard Defender delivered 122PS and 360 Nm). The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6sec*, while top speed is increased to 106mph.

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous withLand Rover,70 years since it was seen in public for the first time.

“The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.”

The V8 powertrain will be fitted to 150 specially-selected and re-engineeredDefenders for the 70^th Edition, complemented by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with sport mode, uprated brakes and handling kit (springs, dampers and anti-roll bars), plus exclusive 18-inch diamond-turned Sawtooth alloy wheels and 265/65 R18 all-terrain tyres.

Eight standard body colours include two satin finishes – contrasting with a Santorini Black roof, wheel arches and front grille – finished with machined aluminium door handles, fuel filler cap and Defender bonnet lettering. A comprehensive lighting upgrade includes bi-LED headlamps.

Full Windsor Leather interior trim covers the dashboard, door panels, headliningand Recaro sports seats. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System is also fitted.

Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £150,000 for a 90 in the UK.

A select number of upgrades inspired by Defender Works V8 will also be available to purchase soon from Land Rover Classic, including power upgrades for the TDCi diesel engine, high-performance suspension and braking kits.

Land Rover intends to continue the Defender lineage and will use its technology, pioneering engineering capability and design expertise to ensure the longevity of the Defender name.

The all-new Defender is subject to further announcements.

Malaysia’s Commemorative Edition of the Defender

In commemorating the anniversary celebration of the iconic Defender, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has released the last lot of Double Cab Defenders in limited commemorative special colours. The last 12 units of Defenders in Malaysia spots contrasting black roof and rims for the Sicilian Yellow and Montalcino Red whilst contrasting silver roof and rims are paired with the Baltic Blue double cabs. Coloured stitching for the leather gear knob, steering wheel and seats are matched to the exterior paint. The headlining of the commemorative edition defenders in Malaysia have also been upgraded to provide a luxurious feel to the overall cabin.

The commemorative edition is retailed at MYR198,800.00 (inclusive of GST but excludes road tax, insurance and registration). It is powered by a 2.2l Diesel engine and paired with a 6-Speed manual transmission.

TECHNICAL DATA	LAND ROVER DEFENDER WORKS V8 – 70TH EDITION
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine capacity (cc)	4,999
Cylinders	V8 naturally-aspirated petrol (EU5)
Power PS	405 @ 6,000rpm
Torque Nm	515 @ 5,000rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic with Pistol Shifter, All-Wheel Drive, two-speed transfer box, heavy-duty front and rear differentials, torque-biasing centre differential
CHASSIS
Front and rear suspension	Front: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. Panhard rod and Radius arms. Anti-roll bar Rear: live beam axle, coil springs, telescopic dampers. ‘A’ frame and Trailing Links. Anti-roll bar.
Front brakes	Servo-assisted 335mm discs, four-piston calipers
Rear brakes	Servo-assisted 300mm discs, four-piston calipers
Wheels and tyres	18in diamond-turned Sawtoothalloy wheels, 265/65 R18all-terrain tyres
Steering	Recirculating ball, power-assisted
PERFORMANCE & ECONOMY
0-60mph (sec)	5.6 (*90 Station Wagon)
Top speed (mph)	106 (limited)

MARKET AVAILABILITY

Defender Works V8 is available in the United Kingdom, and MENA markets on a personal import basis. European market availability is also on an individual import basis, subject to rules on importation of vehicle conversions.

V8 DEFENDER HISTORY

·         V8 powertrains in the Land Rover Defender and its production predecessors started with the Series III Stage 1 V8 of 1979. The carburetted 3.5-litre Rover V8 produced 90bhp.

·         The Land Rover One Ten from 1983, and Ninety from 1984, used the same 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine as the Series III Stage 1 V8, but in 113bhp form, uprated to 135bhp from 1987.

·         For North American Specification (NAS) Defender 90s and 110s only, from 1992, a 182bhp fuel-injected 3.9-litre version of the Rover V8 was fitted, along with a four-speed automatic transmission.

·         In 1998, the fuel-injected 190bhp 4.0-litre V8 from the second-generation Range Rover was fitted to a limited run of 50^th Anniversary Defender 90s,with a four-speed automatic transmission.

·         5.0-litre naturally-aspirated 2018 Defender Works V8 is the first official V8-powered Land Rover Defender to be introduced since 1998.