Hey Everyone,
I’m looking at replacing my Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo with a V8 110. Any and all feedback from owners would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

I really like mine, for my personal tastes it’s how the new defender should be optioned. In no way shape or form is it anything like a Panamera Turbo performance wise. This trucks GVWR is over 7000lbs. Think of it closer to a G Wagon with a much much better ride. I would even say considering all road conditions it’s the best riding vehicle I have owned.

To me the V8 sounds amazing and has enough acceleration to feed my need for now. But based on my past vehicles I do not call it fast.

May be able to help better if you send a list of specific questions. Happy to answer them.

 

Thanks for the feedback. No specific questions just overall experience. What do you like about it and what could be improved from your perspective. I had a 2018 Discover Diesel which was fantastic and then we switched it out for the Panamera. I’ve always loved the older defenders but I’m 6’11 and don’t fit in them to drive them. I sat in the new Defender when I turned in my lease but haven’t driven one.

 

This is my third defender in 18 months. In general I love the interior layout and design. The tech is definitely in line with the top. Off road capability is epic. The ride is at the top of anything out there. I find the seats comfy even on long trips. I like having the barn door as opposed to a lift gate. I really Ike the air suspension and lowered access height not that that matter to you lurch, JK. The interactive drivers display is very well done and the clear sight mirror is great once you get use to it. Plenty of room in the second row and the cargo area on the 110 acceptable. Over all I have the general feeling while driving a defender that if the world went to **** in a blink then I would make it home. It’s like a heavy weight fighter on the outside while being very well refined and sophisticated on the inside. I keep diet Coke’s in the console fridge during the week and coors on the weekends while at my hunting lease.

My first was an X Dynamic, second was an X and then the V8.The V8 just get the more powerful engine, stiffer suspension in dynamic and an aggressive exhaust note plus a higher level of leather, heated windshield, washer jets and a few other things. Dynamic mode does change the vehicle a good bit and like any other semi sports vehicle you lose ride quality while picking up a bit better cornering, improved throttle response, racier exhaust note, stiffer steering and crisper gear changes.

So far the V8 defender in general is my favorite vehicle of any I have owned due to it checking so many boxes. Like I said in my other reply just don’t expect performance on par with a P car, M car or an AMG car or SAV. It’s not bad but it’s not something you would want to track.

 

The Defender 110 V8 is a superb vehicle. It rides very well and has just about every lux option. As others have said, the technology in the vehicle is outstanding. It handles reasonably well, particularly in dynamic mode, and is quite responsive if you engage the sport mode along with it. It is a powerful vehicle, but not a sports car. If you are coming from a Porsche Panamera, I have to believe the Porsche will have a more sport focused orientation. If yours is the twin turbo V8, the power to weight ratio in the Porsche has to be considerably better than the Defender V8. Now the Defender V8 will move when asked, quite well I might add, however that power adds to the enjoyment of the Defender without making it always tempt you to bury the throttle. My wife had a 2020 Velar SV Autobiography with the 550 hp V8, and that vehicle has the best power to weight ration of any Land Rover vehicle ever. That car moved. The Defender V8 isn't focused that way.
I have owned a Porsche, a 2000 911, which was a great car which rode and handled superbly. I have to think the Panamera would be tuned by Porsche to behave like a larger 911, but I could be wrong. Moving to a Defender V8 will be an adjustment. If you have test driven one, or even another Defender V8, you should get the idea of how much of an adjustment.

 

I agree. Defender is best new-ish car I've ever owned.

 

IMO the porsche has both luxury and sportiness. But the sportiness is only really noticed when pushed hard, which for me would be in rare moments when the opportunity and mood presents itself. Otherwise, I would want to make sure it had all the luxury amenities that are going to be utilized most. The V8 Defender has such a special feeling chasis, that is hard to describe. It feels so strong and put together so well. LR says its their strongest chasis ever. For me whether I drive it in a calm or spirited manner, it feels like a special experience every time. It still has all the luxury amenities that I want from a car. Having said all that, they are quite different in what they offer. Not sure if that helps at all.