Who would have thought there’d ever be a supercharged V8-powered Land Rover Defender 110?

It appears to go in opposition to all logic. The engine – additionally utilized in vehicles just like the Jaguar F-Kind sports activities automobile – has been an necessary a part of Jaguar Land Rover’s performance-focused fashions for years now, and will quickly meet its finish.

With the world shifting away from loopy engines (the F-Kind is because of bid farewell to the world by 2025), this might be the final likelihood to get one thing this bonkers into your driveway. It’ll doubtless need to be a well-manicured driveway, resulting in a multi-car storage alongside your multi-million-dollar property – however hey, if in case you have the means, this factor is actually imply!

I spent per week with the 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 to see what it was like as a household wagon, dwelling vicariously for a brief time period. And let me let you know, I’d have this in a heartbeat over one thing like a Mercedes-AMG G63, which prices extra and is nearly unobtanium.

And like most homeowners, I didn’t enterprise off street… other than parking on a nature strip as soon as. As such, don’t anticipate any off-road evaluate part to this take a look at. I didn’t dare get the 22-inch rims broken, not to mention the Santorini Black paintwork.

How a lot does the Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 price?

You’re an RRP of $226,500 earlier than on-road prices and choices, in accordance with Land Rover. And, unusually for a JLR product, it wasn’t loaded up with  one other 20 per cent of the acquisition value value of choices.

There have been only a few modest additions to this mannequin, together with:

• Entrance Undershield: $1037
• Intrusion Sensor: $1001
• Wi-Fi enabled with Knowledge Plan: $600
• Loadspace storage rails: $230

The worth as examined is $229,368 plus on-road prices – so, get out your abacus and do the sums, as this isn’t going to be for all budgets.

However, then once more, for those who examine it to its most direct rival – the aforementioned Mercedes-AMG G63 ($365,900) – it seems like a freakin’ discount.

What’s the Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 like on the within?

In my evaluate of the Defender 110 D300 SE, which prices lower than half the value of this one, I lauded the “terrifically utilitarian cabin”.

That’s nonetheless the case right here, however fairly actually, it’s not as luxurious because it arguably ought to be for the cash you’re paying.

That’s primarily right down to the seat trim, which merely doesn’t really feel or look good sufficient for this value level. The official trim end is Ebony Windsor leather-based, Dinamica suede and Robustec seats, however the leather-based bit is simply across the edges of the seat, whereas the “Robustec” woven textile end is, nicely, a bit too workmanlike.

A G-Wagen’s cabin positively feels extra upmarket, and so will a Vary Rover Sport’s. However there are different inside end choices if you want, together with a Classic Tan Windsor leather-based end – and it doesn’t price additional, both.

However because it was, I couldn’t assist however draw comparisons to a different rough-and-tumble SUV with a G-Wagen-like inside, the GWM Tank 300, which, frankly, seems extra particular at 1 / 4 of the value of this Defender.

Now, to sensible issues such because the utilitarian-ness of the cabin, which stays astoundingly good.

It has terrific storage choices all through the inside – the large shelf throughout the sprint with storage sections in entrance of the driving force and passenger, huge door bins (however with out bottle holders), an enormous centre console bin space with tiered storage, cupholders, a wi-fi cellphone charger, and a sealed centre console bin with armrest.

As with the opposite Defender fashions, there are handbook, bodily controls for air con and fan velocity (you must hit a button to make it a fan controller), plus you get issues I worth like a quantity knob.

The 11.4-inch Pivi Professional touchscreen media system has quite a lot of completely different menu choices on it, and there’s ample data and customisation out there.

You’ll be able to even monitor in case your centre or rear differential is locked (they’re auto-locking in some conditions), how a lot load is on every airbag shock absorber, angle diagrams, automobile dimensions, and many extra; together with a system whereby you possibly can set and save trailers (caravans, horse floats, boat trailers) and the system will regulate its security tech parameters for the towed load.

Additional, the digicam system is superb – it’s a surround-view setup with off-road mode, towing mode and a 3D synthetic intelligence-style graphic structure too. It’s tremendous straightforward to come back to phrases with the extremities of this automobile due to that digicam system.

I used to be impressed by the crispness of the show and the velocity of response to instructions, plus I had wi-fi Apple CarPlay operating all week and had zero points with it as soon as linked. The stereo was nice, too – it’s a 15-speaker Meridian system with subwoofer on this spec.

I whinged concerning the materials on the seats, however the consolation and adjustability was good. The steering wheel is kind of giant, however I cherished the microsuede trim – a stunning factor to grip for hours on finish (which I did, with a four-hour street journey thrown in to my week of testing).

Not like within the decrease grades, the P525 mannequin will get a fully-digital instrument cluster which is simple to navigate, and I’m always blown away by the quantity of charging ports out there within the cabin of the Defender; together with a 12-volt, USB-A, and a pair of x USB-C ports on the dashboard, in addition to a wi-fi cellphone charger. Second-row occupants have half a dozen charging decisions, as nicely.

Rear seat consolation is assured with quad-zone local weather management – two zones entrance and rear, the again together with its personal fan controller. Plus, the seats are broad and supportive.

I’m 182cm or 6’0”, and I might sit behind my very own driving place simply advantageous. The P525 V8 mannequin is completely a five-seater, so there is no such thing as a sliding second-row to permit for higher boot or passenger area if wanted.

Even so, I had sufficient knee- and toe-room, whereas headroom was good, and so was outward imaginative and prescient from the again row – my daughter cherished the massive panoramic sunroof and overhead home windows… spoilt, a lot? On the subject of children, you’ll discover three top-tethers and outboard ISOFIX factors for little one seats.

Storage is sweet for rear riders too, with bins within the doorways (once more with out moulded bottle holders) and a pair of cupholders in a flip-down armrest.

Boot area is claimed to be 972 litres – however that determine is to the headlining. Most manufacturers don’t measure it that means. Fold down the seats within the second row (40:20:40) and also you get 2277L of cargo area (once more, to the ceiling).

The most important concern with the boot is the side-swinging door, which has an enormous and heavy 22-inch rim connected to it.

Whereas the strut seems prefer it’s sturdy sufficient to cease the door swinging again at you, generally it received’t maintain the burden (if the automobile is parked on a sure angle), and I copped a wallop within the again from the door at one stage. Fortunate I’m a giant powerful grownup, and never somewhat child…

There are just a few charging choices within the boot, together with a powerpoint (home plug) and 12-volt, and despite the fact that there’s no third-row seating, there’s a third-row fan controller. Odd.

Different controls within the boot embody a pair of switches to boost or decrease the automobile on its airbag suspension, to assist loading or unloading objects. It does have fairly a excessive load-in lip.

What’s below the bonnet?

The P525 within the mannequin identify is a reference to ‘petrol’ and ‘525 metric horsepower (PS)’ – so yeah, this factor has some grunt.

It’s packing a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine producing 386kW of energy (6000-6500rpm) and 625Nm of torque (2500-5500rpm). That’s sufficient for it to leap from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.4 seconds, in accordance with Land Rover.

It’s no light-weight (actually), tipping the scales at 2678kg, which makes that 0-100 all of the extra astounding. Think about in the event that they did a light-weight verison of it…

As with all of the Defenders, it has an eight-speed computerized gearbox, and all-wheel drive with a low-range switch case.

Towing capability is 750kg for an unbraked trailer and 3500kg for a braked trailer. Gross mixed mass (GCM) is 6730kg.

And for those who’re questioning, a G63 AMG has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with 430kW/850Nm. Ahem…

How does the Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 drive?

I don’t suppose there’s a 4×4 on the planet that may do what this automobile can do. It may be a snug, supple, every day driveable SUV for household duties, after which it has that mammoth engine to name upon for those who want that form of energy – lots of people received’t want that form of energy, however loads will need it.

It’s excellent. Strong, sturdy, speedy, elegant. All of those adjectives got here to thoughts driving the Defender V8, and actually I didn’t wish to give it again.

My daughter didn’t both. She is 21 months, so her vocabulary remains to be growing, however she was even requesting to go within the “large black automobile”. She even gave me just a few “oooooh!” noises once I took off from the lights on one in every of her daycare drop-off runs.

I’m positive I bought just a few “oooh!”s from the general public too – I had fairly just a few onlookers trying out the automobile, together with a fellow daycare drop-off dad who was very enthusiastic to take a look (and likewise let down by the inside trim, for the cash). 

What’s so spectacular about it’s that it appears so at odds for a mix like this to work.

This enormous, off-road-focused SUV is able to all kinds of insane all-terrain feats (once more, I didn’t try this on this take a look at, however have pushed one other Defender 110 off-road earlier than and it was sensible), but on this spec it’s teamed with this terrific supercharged V8, and consequently feels extra like an city menace.

The engine’s aural presence is unmatched, with the telltale supercharger whine below laborious throttle, and a terrific exhaust notice with cracks, pops and overrun burbles. It’s noisy while you begin it, so hopefully your neighbours are additionally automobile fans.

Energy supply is terrific, too – it soars in direction of the horizon below mild throttle, and seemingly grabs the street by the scruff of the neck at full throttle.

The eight-speed auto shifts easily in most conditions, however – considerably alarmingly – I observed a number of situations of the transmission thumping into gear once I all of a sudden hit the gasoline. It was the one concern I famous, as a result of the gearbox was in any other case intelligent in selecting what cog it wanted.

This can be very comfy, composed and complicated, regardless of operating on these aforementioned 22-inch rims shod in Continental CrossContact RX mixed-terrain rubber.

It has a secure, planted and really strong feeling on the street, with the air suspension conserving issues in examine more often than not.

The massive rims can discover sharp edges often, however you must anticipate that type of pay-off with a wheel bundle like this.

Being air suspension, it’s top adjustable; so you possibly can elevate or decrease it for various functions, and it drops itself at freeway velocity to assist with aerodynamics.

It has properly weighted steering – correct and simple to show, regardless of a fairly large (12.8m) turning circle.

For those who’re itching to see off-roading in a Defender, try Paul’s video of the Defender 90 and its a number of drive modes (Eco, Consolation, Grass Gravel & Snow, Mud Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl and Wading) being put by means of their paces.

What do you get?

The Defender 110 is nicely outfitted as it’s, and this V8 P525 mannequin is not any exception – nor would it not wish to be, at this value.

The usual gear is listed under, however simply notice: most fashions within the vary have the selection of both digital air suspension or coil springs, however the P525 solely gives the airbag struts. That could be a consideration for you, for those who do plan to tow usually.

Defender P525 V8 highlights: 

• Satin Chrome paddle shifters
• Quad exhaust retailers
• Terrain Response 2 with Dynamic Program
• Privateness glass
• Heated windscreen
• Heated washer jets
• Photo voltaic attenuating windscreen
• Superior Tow Help
• Tow hitch receiver
• Headlight energy washers
• Heated steering wheel
• Windsor leather-based upholstery
• Suedecloth-wrapped steering wheel
• Entrance centre console fridge compartment
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Air high quality sensor
• Cabin air ionisation with PM2.5 filter
• 22-inch wheels
• Leather-based-wrapped shifter
• Black distinction roof
• Sliding panoramic roof
• Digital instrument cluster
• 14-way heated and cooled entrance seats with reminiscence
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Heated steering wheel​
• Leather-based/Robustec upholstery
• Energy-adjustable steering column
• Carpet mats
• 15-speaker Meridian stereo with subwoofer
• 11.4-inch touchscreen media system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Matrix LED headlights with auto high-beam
• Heated, electrical folding door mirrors with method lights
• Auto-dimming driver aspect mirror
• Digital rear-view mirror
• 3D surround-view digicam
• 360-degree parking sensors
• Driver fatigue monitor
• Digital instrument cluster
• Wade Sensing
• Cruise Management incl. Pace Limiter
• Visitors Signal Recognition incl. Adaptive Pace Limiter
• Keyless Entry
• 40:20:40 folding rear seats with centre armrest

Is the Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 secure?

In 2020, Euro NCAP awarded the Defender 110 scored a five-star security score. It then bought the identical from ANCAP.

The report card learn: 85 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for little one occupant safety, 71 per cent for weak street person safety, and 76 per cent for security help. Fairly good for a giant, heavy factor like this.

Normal security tools contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Encompass-view cameras
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Secure exit alert
• Visitors signal recognition

Twin frontal, entrance aspect, and aspect curtain airbags are normal, too. It doesn’t have a front-centre airbag like some rivals, although which may be as a result of cabin width.

And additional, it’s lacking an more and more frequent tech inclusion, reversing AEB with pedestrian detection. That’s a part of the testing standards, nowadays, and we’ve all seen these all-too-common reviews about driveway accidents with kids – this know-how, in idea, ought to imply we see much less of these horror tales.

How a lot does the Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 price to run?

There’s a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. The British model additionally gives a five-year/130,000km servicing plan for the Defender priced at $3750 for the V8 – or a median of $750 per 12 months.

5 years of roadside help is included. That might be necessary, too, given Land Rover ranked useless final within the 2023 JD Energy Automobile Dependability Research within the US, reportedly suffering from know-how tussles and powertrain issues.

For those who can look past that, the Australian arm’s guarantee and roadside help bundle ought to no less than assist put your thoughts comfy.

As for, gulp, the gasoline prices? The official mixed cycle determine for this powertrain is 12.7 litres per 100 kilometres. 

And, amazingly, I managed precisely that over per week of testing. I spend greater than 500km of my time on this automobile, with a day journey down the Hume and again, and some jaunts on Sydney’s clogged motorways. I used to be impressed.

The gasoline tank capability is 90 litres, and don’t you dare take into consideration placing common unleaded within the there – the minimal is 95 RON premium unleaded.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8

It is a automobile that’s unlikely to be round for for much longer.

With international pressures and the seemingly imminent demise of JLR’s glorious 5.0-litre supercharged V8, the times are certainly numbered for the Defender P525 V8.

And what a bloody disgrace that’s, as a result of it is a excellent automobile – a multifaceted mega SUV that, frankly, makes a G-Wagen look overhyped. You probably have the means, I imply it – go take a look at drive one.

Click on the photographs for the total gallery

MORE: The whole lot Land Rover Defender