Land Rover Defender gets revised engine line-up

The top-spec Defender Octa has had its twin-turbo V8 noticeably detuned to comply with modern emissions regulations. Prices for the updated model have been announced.

Land Rover produced the classic off-roader from 1948 to 2016, although the Defender name was only applied in 1991. The era of the legendary 'Defenders' came to an end in the last decade, but the manufacturer decided to pass the familiar name on to another model – the off-roader with the 90 and 110 designations (L663 series), which debuted in 2020. Later, in 2022, the long-wheelbase Defender 130 joined the range, and in 2024 the line-up gained a top-spec variant – the Land Rover Defender Octa.

Now the British marque has revealed the refreshed 2027 model-year Defender. The 'flagship' of the family, the Octa-badged off-roader, has gained two new body colour options: matte Patagonia White and Woolston Green. In addition, the model now offers a new glossy protective coating with 'self-healing' technology, which can eliminate minor scratches and provides protection against stone chips.

The main 'update' will not please fans of the model: the company has had to reduce the off-roader's power output to comply with modern emissions regulations. The 4.4-litre petrol twin-turbo V8, which operates as part of a mild-hybrid system, now produces 540 bhp – 95 horsepower less than the 2026 model-year Land Rover Defender Octa.

Peak torque, however, remains unchanged at 750 Nm. The engine is still paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The time required for the off-roader to sprint from standstill to 62 mph has increased – now 4.2 seconds (0.2 seconds slower). The engineers have also upgraded the exhaust system, which has altered the sound of the V8 engine.

In addition, the 2027 model-year Land Rover Defender line-up has been expanded with the Vertex version (available in all three body styles). This trim is distinguished by different bumpers, new fog lights, a larger radiator grille, lower side sills and rocker panels finished in body colour, and a spoiler at the top of the tailgate. The Defender Vertex comes with either 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels.

The interior can be upholstered in either leather (two colour options available) or bespoke fabric, and carbon-fibre-look decorative elements have been added to the cabin. Furthermore, the Defender 110 is now available with a six-seat interior layout, featuring two captain's chairs in the middle row.

There are also changes to the engine line-up: the 2027 model-year Defender will be offered with the 5.0-litre petrol V8 only in certain markets (the UK is not among them). The range now includes the P380 variant with an MHEV set-up based on a 3.0-litre petrol six-cylinder engine (maximum power – 379 bhp, torque – 550 Nm). The off-roader retains the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, as well as the plug-in hybrid system with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit.

All versions of the 2027 model-year Land Rover Defender are now available to order in the home market. The entry-level version starts at £58,655 (equivalent to approximately 5.97 million roubles at the current exchange rate), while the Vertex variant will set you back at least £92,635 (around 9.44 million roubles). The refreshed Defender Octa starts at £147,245 (around 15 million roubles), and the Octa Black will cost £157,245 (around 16 million roubles). Deliveries to dealers are scheduled to begin in the autumn.