2023 Land Rover Defender ‘SVX’ ‘Crazy’ new V8 model
SVO Land Rover Defender ‘turned up to 11’. Land Rover special ops pumps V8 Defender to take on hottest AMG G-Class
Land Rover is readying a radical new range-topping version of the Defender to take on the Mercedes-AMG G500 4x42 – and it could be the long-awaited spearhead for the dormant SVX sub-brand. Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division (SVO) planned to launch the SVX brand for the most extreme reworkings of series-production models and to sell them alongside SVR and SV-Autobiography cars.
The first model in this family was to be the 518bhp V8-powered Discovery SVX, but that was cancelled in 2019, with Land Rover telling Autocar the badge would live on for other, unspecified models. JLR design boss Gerry McGovern had earlier suggested it would “arguably” be appropriate for future Defender models. Now, as a heavily modified Defender prototype takes to the Nürburgring Nordschleife, it seems the SVX plan could be back on.
SVO boss Michael van der Sande recently told Autocar that the division’s modus operandi is to “dial up the content of the car to nine, 10 or even 11 sometimes, depending on how crazy we want to go” – and the indications are that this new variant is the most ‘crazy’ Defender.
The quad exhausts point to the mule taking its power from the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 used by the existing Defender V8 (indeed, Van der Sande said it would be “a bit of time” before this engine is discontinued), which in that application produces 518bhp and 461lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 4.9sec and a 145mph top speed. There are no clues to any mechanical alterations, but what is clear is just how extensively it is differentiated from the standard car.
The wheel arches, for example, are heavily flared, the suspension is raised, the wheels and tyres look to be bespoke all-terrain items and there’s a set of large mudflaps to round off the look. It’s a similar treatment to that applied to the heavily modified previous-generation Defender in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre. Other defining features of that highly exclusive creation were its external roll-cage, front winch and protective body elements. While the standard Defender V8 competes with AMG’s big-selling G63 SUV, this variant would more closely rival the more extreme G500 4x42, which is expected to enter its second generation this year. Expect a dual focus on offroad capability and on-road pace, with a price that puts it well clear of the approximately £100,000 Defender V8.
Shortly before officially canning the Discovery SVX in 2019, Land Rover put the two-door Range Rover SV Coupé on ice as it shifted its focus to regular production models. It was due to be the first vehicle built from the ground up at SVO’s Coventry HQ.
Defender ‘SVX’ has flared arches, raised suspension and hot V8
Fiery Defender will rival the G500 4x42