Land Rover mid-May released details on its new 2023 Land Rover Defender SVX, a vehicle expected to rival the Mercedes-AMG G500 4×4². This long-awaited version of the Defender could revive Land Rover’s dormant SVX badge, once slated to be worn by the 518-bhp V8-powered Discovery SVX.
Although the Discovery SVX was cancelled in 2019 before it got off the ground, Jaguar Land Rover announced it would keep the SVX brand alive for other, unspecified models, and sell them alongside SVR and SVAutobiography cars one day, according to Autocar.
This latest version of the Defender is expected to rock a 5.0-litre V8 engine that should also make about 518 bhp, and 461 lb-ft of torque, likely good for a zero-to-100-km/h (-62-mph) sprint of 4.9 seconds, and a 233-km/h (145-mph) top speed.
Land Rover hasn’t hinted at any mechanical alterations for this new Defender, but spy shots do reveal it’ll have a slightly different design. The wheel arches are heavily flared, and the suspension seems raised; there’s also a set of large mudflaps that flank the wheels and tires.
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Spy shot of secretly tested Land Rover Defender “Special” Photo by Spiedbilde
Other defining features expected on SVX-branded Landies include an external roll cage, front winch, and protective body cladding elements, not unlike the mods made to the prior-gen Defenders that were featured in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre.
The standard Defender V8 currently competes with AMG’s big-selling G63 SUV; this new SVX model could end up rivaling the G500 4×4².
With off-road capability and on-road muscle, there’s a lot to love. Once released, it’s expected to cost about 100,000 euros (CDN$135,548), according to Autocar.
Keyword: Land Rover's AMG-rivaling Defender SVX almost here