Launched: 2025 Land Rover Defender V8 – 2 Variants, From RM998,000*

JLR Malaysia expanded its line-up slightly earlier today by announcing the arrival of the Land Rover Defender V8.  Said variant of the L663-gen Defender comes in both 110 and 130 bodystyle choices.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLR Malaysia) revealed expanded its line-up grew slightly earlier today by announcing the arrival of the 2025 Land Rover Defender V8. This arguably the most over-the-top flavour of the L663-gen Defender line-up next to the limited-run Octa special.

As its name aptly suggests, this iteration of the Defender stands out thanks to its choice of adopting JLR’s signature 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 petrol mill plonked up front – not the usual in-line 6-cyl found in the P400 guise slotted below which - more on this mill in a bit.

Available for the first time in Malaysia, the 130 extended-length Defender sits some 5,538 MM long and has a extra 340 MM rear overhang to house up to 8 seats.

The Defender V8 sees two bodystyle choices ready, namely the standard wheelbase ‘110’ and extended-length ‘130’. Today’s debut announcement also marks the local debut of the latter stretched body format Defender, which seats up to eight persons on board.

As for footprint, the Defender 130 V8 sits 5,538 MM long with an extra 340 MM rear overhang versus the 110. In fact, it sits much longer than the V223 Mercedes S-Class even, but the 130 body sees wheelbase, width and height unchanged from the 110 at 3,022 MM, 2,008 MM and ,1970 MM respectively.

Effectively, this is the signature AJ-V8 mill that's been part of JLR's line-up for sometime. In the Defender V8, this petrol mill displaces 5.0-litres and comes with a supercharger too.

As for performance, the Defender V8 110 sees its mill boasts meaty outputs of 525 PS and 625 NM. This propels all four wheels via a ZF-supplied 8-speed automatic transmission, and in turn promises 0-100 KM/H sprints is a rather rapid 5.4 secs.

The larger and heavier Defender V8 130, on the other hand, makes do with a detuned version of the same V8 mill, offering just 500 PS and 610 NM instead. Nevertheless, this still enables this 8-seat Defender to despatch a century sprint time of 5.7 secs.

Typical Defender traits like the presence of a 4WD transfer case, a myriad of selectable on- and off-road driving modes, as well as maximum water-wading depth of 900 MM, all remain unchanged in the Defender V8. 

Mechanically, both variants boasts the usual full-blown four-wheel-drive (4WD) transfer case, a myriad of selectable on- and off-road drive modes via its Terrain Response System, and a 900 MM maximum water wading depth – staple traits for the Defender range.

Unique to this model’s driveline is an electronic limited-slip rear diff delivering yaw control, followed by the presence of retuned adaptive dampers with stiffer bushes and thicker anti-roll bars. In turn, these promise “more agile and engaging” drive dynamics, claims JLR.

Besides V8 badges, notable exterior touches found in the Defender V8 include variant-specific 22-inch five-spoke matte grey rolling stock, as well as quad-exhaust arrangement.

For its exterior, both Defender V8 variants sticks to the nameplate’s distinct squared design. Besides a slew of V8 badges, variant-specific 22-inch five-spoke matte grey wheels, as well as a quad-exhaust arrangement, also help to set it apart too.

On board, The Defender V8 sees its cabin dressed in Windsor and Kvadarat fabric upholstery combination as standard. This gets matched with dashboard beams dressed in metallic grey too, adds JLR Malaysia.

Windsor and Kvadarat fabric upholstery is a standard affair for the Defender V8.

Effectively, should the likes of the refreshed W465-gen Mercedes-AMG G63, Audi RS Q8, or even the Aston Martin DBX707, not tickle your fancy, then this V8-engined Defender might seal the deal, provided you have the Ringgits for it that is…

Typical of any JLR offering, the 2024 Land Rover Defender V8 is no bargain. Things start from RM998,000 for the Defender V8 110, and from RM1,198,000 for the Defender V8 130. Mind you, these are base starting prices sans options and excluding taxes.

In other words, depending on how one specified their build, expect final tax-inclusive prices to be much higher – at least double said figures.