landroversforever Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Copied from the LRM Facebook page. Make sure you're sat down for the price! DEFENDER LIVES ON: LAND ROVER LAUNCHES V8 EDITION TO CELEBRATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY Some rather exciting news for the Defender fans. Taken straight from the JLR press release: (Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK – 17 January 2018) Land Rover 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 70th 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 the 50th 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. The 5.0-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 with Land 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-engineered Defenders for the 70th 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, headlining and 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 high-performance 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, fast-road 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Wow! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 They're buying up older ones by the looks of it and rebuilding them rather than them being new builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dailysleaze Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I thought it was a bit steep til I saw they were chucking in an aluminium fuel cap as well Wonder who they'll be buying them back from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dailysleaze Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 They squeezed that in there: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 Looks very tall doesn't it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I thought 20k for a tin box was expensive when I was going to get one new.....150k is just ridiculous. You could by an old diesel defender and a new R8 with change to spare for that and you would have to vehicles that would do a better job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Yeah, but they're having to pay prices for GENUINE parts, and we all know what they cost - lots o' lolly! And, of course, they have to show the same (exhorbitant) profit per vehicle as they do on Chelsea tractors! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Ha ha, stoopid factory finally makes a Defender with more than enough power, only 20 or 30 years after the market wanted one. Meanwhile, Toyota manages to stumble along with a 4.5-litre twin turbo V8 diesel . . . no wonder people think you're mad for owning a Landie. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 They have to buy back and re-manufacture to get around I presume certain emissions/safety regulations... how much will be "remanufactured" and how much will be new out of there old stock I guess could be questioned... looking forward to seeing what it will look like but this stuff now just makes me smile, got to give them credit as they'll all be sold before they're even made JLR seems to know how to turn a profit these days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soren Frimodt Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Oh no even JLR has fully embraced the PimpFender movement.. Sad days.. Seems that fewer and fewer actually remembers what the intended purpose for the Defender is/was, now even the factory has forgotten! It is truly remarkable what Money can do to people, in the Words of Arnold in Red Heat: "Capitalism" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Full article and pics here: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/british/meet-the-most-powerful-and-fastest-land-rover-defender-works-v8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Got to say I kinda like the look of that in red... and something interesting, that's not a standard defender steering box... and it looks like its on the outside of the chassis rail... still put those carp door hinges on it mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Ooh. So that means the loom and such for fitting that engine in a Defender is available from the factory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 How will they be registered if they are ‘re-engineered’ - will there be more than one name on the V5? 😳 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Might see whether I can sell them back my 6000 mile Puma for £100k or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SumDarkPlace Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Unfortunately, due to a crowded market and cheap far eastern imports, a kidney is only worth about £5k. Hence I won't be getting one of these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 (edited) They've been "sourcing" (different term for "finding") for at least 5 years to this kind of projects. Projects like this make the factory some serious money so well worth doing.. A steady flow of "vehicle (remains)" have been moved around for a long time to 3 collection points in a degree of silence.. I'd be surprised if these "150" vehicles have not already been sold a few times before they were build - plenty of people with the money wanting to buy one.. ...and much more profitable than developing a new "Defender"... Edited January 17, 2018 by Arjan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SumDarkPlace Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I wonder which insanely rich person will be the first to suggest they want one with the supercharged version of this engine?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Wonder if they uprated the half-shafts? Think I'll stick with the 4.6 and about 140k change in my pocket (I wish!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 And still with a two-pin diff in the front as well I suppose? This quote has me tickled: "We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender". So, they followed this up by doing nothing. Briliiant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Finally they've listened to the critics and designed the new defender as people wanted it. It's rattly, uncomfortable and looks like an old defender to suit the diehards, lavish and powerful to suit the new age owners and expensive to suit the fashionable and the arabs. They've ticked every box, I don't thing 150off is going to be enough! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 The 2018 G-wagon has been announced also. It matches the defender with LED lights and extra trim inside, but also has a new offroad mode giving different terrain response, 10cm extra ground clearance and alters the suspension, steering and throttle response. There's also an optional 4.0 v8 twin turbo as well as the 3x locking diffs. That starts at only £100,000! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 We're simply spoiled for choice these days. What exciting times we live in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Unless they do something about chassis, bulkhead and body protection they will still decay and blow windscreen block and frames and just about every other poorly prepped and painted / coated part just as fast as the last few new ones I bought. Still, they will probably keep the polishers and boasters happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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