The active anti-roll bars help mitigate body roll in corners, which you want in a tall, top heavy vehicle with lots of power. I'm sure there is a way to install these aftermarket, but it would be incredibly expensive and incredibly difficult. If you can't reflash the ECU with the Pathfinder software, you can always get an aftermarket tune, but that will void the warranty. For me, 425 horsepower would be enough in the Defender. My Defender makes 300 horsepower and it is plenty. It isn't a sports car, and if you want a powerful car, you're probably better off with a sports car or sports sedan and not a Defender.

 

Thank you for all the info. So you mean with the pathfinder software I can change de HP? Do you know where can I buy the pathfinder? Do I lose de warranty if I use the pathfinder?

 

As it is looking in Sweden now you can only order the 90 and 110 in 425bhp and not 525bhp as before (not counting the diesel variants). The hybrid has also been detuned to 300bhp from 400bhp. The 130 can be ordered with 500bhp v8 still.

 

No, I am not saying that you can change the horsepower with Pathfinder. I am saying that it MIGHT be possible to tune the vehicle with Pathfinder. You have to purchase a Pathfinder subscription using Topix. Before you even try to do anything, contact someone who does activations with Pathfinder to see if it is even possible to tune the engine.

EDIT: I spoke with Garrett from JLR Active, who did some activations for me. He said that he will need the VIN to determine whether or not he could unlock the extra power. When you take delivery, send @GarrettSD a message. He is California-based, but he might be able to help you despite being here in the US.

 

Bear in mind that the P425 V8 is the replacement for the P400 I6, and not a replacement for the V8 trim level, which has been dropped in many EU countries.

 

wow! Thank you very much for your help, for sure I will contact @GarrettSD , now I have to wait around 5 months till the delivery.

 

I'm still trying to figure this out. According to the US LR site for 2025 MY - you can get the X-Dynamic with the P500(493HP) . If you select the "V8 Defender" model, then they spec the P525 (518HP). So, a unique motor offering with a 25HP bump/tune due to a complicated SKU mapping? Why even have the "V8 Defender" model when you can get it in an X Dynamic and spec it up with the goodies?

 

The V8 is technically a trim level that is more exclusive and people want them. The V8 trim came out for the 2022MY, while the P500 SE didn't come until the 2023MY, and that was offered for those who complained about the limited options on the V8 trim. I prefer the X-Dynamic P500 as you can get every color and interior trim option. I have driven both and you can't feel the difference in power.

 

I am in the UK and took delivery of a Defender 110 X with the P425 V8 in September. According to JLR's media materials, the engine has been introduced because the V8 can be tuned to meet the latest emissions regulations (the UK has adopted to the European standard), while the P400 cannot.

I had originally ordered the same model with the P400, but cancelled and re-ordered when the P425 was announced because I am a big fan of the V8 (I had the 525bhp version in a previous generation RRS). While it lacks 100bhp compared to the now discontinued 110 with 525bhp 'V8', at least here in the UK, the P425 is available with roof rails and the jump seat, both of which we use. We also ordered it with the 'Dynamic' programme as a £100 option. It does make a difference, particularly to throttle response and the gear change mapping, but the car is a lot of fun in whatever setting you choose.

Initial impressions are very positive. While another 100bhp would be very nice on paper, it is fast enough, with performance on a par with the P400 (I had that engine in a 90 previously). That said, the P400 feels like it has more torque from lower revs, with the V8 really picking up the pace from around 2,500 to 3,000 rpm. The noise and character of the V8, however, are so much better. For reference, I had a 110 D300 immediately prior to the P425 and much prefer the V8 (despite the horrendous fuel economy, but I was expecting that).

Having been fortunate to own three different 'new' Defenders, this is definitely the best yet.

 

Final prep before handover. I had the black bonnet and grille resprayed to match the body colour (Silicon Silver).


The drive home from picking it up.