After owning a L320 and renting a new L494 RRS for several weeks on end, do we really need a V8 for the L663 defender? I think the sporty driving should just be reserved to the sport.

 

I'd rather see a diesel option in the US but that's my opinion. Diesel is cheaper than 93 octane in my area. Although the V8 might get better MPG than the P300. I'm getting 16-17 with a roof rack and ko2s. Which is what I got in my V8 LR4 with the same roof rack and ko2s.

 

A diesel would be very nice but they aren't going to do it. Auto makers are getting away from petrol completely and getting ready for the electric shift. The RR and the Defender will be all electric within/in 10 years. It will be then that we realize how important and efficient the combustible engine really was. In 15-20 years, we will look back and say, "Hey, you remember what it was like to have a V6/V8 that didn't require me to plug my car into a wall for 4 hours before I can go anywhere." Oh, and what about that recent blackout that lasted for 2 days. Man, bummer.

 

I'm on the gulf coast in Mississippi and after hurricane Ida I don't see gas going away anytime soon. Every gas station is sold out. When a tanker arrives, a line of vehicles forms behind it. Even saw someone in a Tesla filling up Jerry cans. I guess there generator isn't electric??

 

Thinking man's joke.

And does anyone really "need" a V8? For that matter, I don't "need" a Land Rover.

 

I am getting consistently around 24 mpg with my P300 D90

- city, highway, mountain roads mixed
- AUTO stop/start disabled
- climate control set at AUTO with AC on at all time
- no roof rack
- about 40 lbs of cargo
- Good Year Adventure AT

 

Well, JLR is in business to make money ( ...yeah, and cars ).
There will be people that would rush to buy that V8, no doubt about it.
Is it "needed" ?
Define need.
Would I personally buy one ? Absolutely NO. Would I buy a diesel ? Absolutely YES.
If one need a V8, with such an offroad capable vehicle, then that some one, needs to adjust their priorities.

Now about that bright future "electric dreams" vehicles - good luck with that...
There isn't enough material (minerals) in the world to supply the demand.
Electric is one (crooked) step in the evolution.
My money is on Hydrogen, but that would take another 20-25 years to see it around as gasoline is today.

 

The V8 Defendy is a marketing flex. Looks incredible, for sure, with those quad pipes and dusky vibe. They'll sell more P300s because of this V8's existence than they'd sell without it.

 

I personally think the P400 inline 6 is an amazing power plant and with basically equal hp and torque it’s brilliant! It also sounds and feels like a V8.

 

The sport I drove has the same inline 6 supercharged yet the growl is more pronounced than the defender?