It appears the hardcore SUV is finally nearing its debut.
CarSpyMedia on YouTube
With the off-road segment’s recent explosion in popularity, automakers are continuing to push out beefed-up, more hardcore variants of familiar 4x4s. Thanks to some new spy footage captured at the Nürburgring by YouTuber CarSpyMedia, we now have a chance to see the rumored Land Rover Defender SVX flexing its V-8 muscle.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Jaguar Land Rover nomenclature, SVX is the name the brand’s Specialty Vehicle Operations division uses for the most hardcore of off-roader machines. A Defender SVX model arrived in 2008 to celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary. The nameplate was recently more used on a Discovery concept back in 2017, which featured the brand’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine. That project was later canceled in 2019, though rumors persisted the nameplate would eventually find its way back to the Defender lineup. This particular prototype appears to be tangible evidence of this idea, wearing noticeably wider fender flares, larger off-road tires, and what appear to be a taller ride height. The truck also clearly features a V-8 engine in the clip, though not one as sonorous as one might hope. The exhaust tips themselves are identical to those you can find on a V-8 Defender on sale today, which suggests we can expect at least 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque on tap.
Regardless of the demure exhaust note, the Defender SVX tackles the Nordschleife with surprising fury. The SUV dives into the corner with some squeal from the off-road-focused rubber, but does so with impressive speed. We even watch as the driver picks up a front wheel through one of the first corners. The amount of roll suggests some long-travel suspension is at play, which is expected alongside rivals like the Bronco Raptor or the Mercedes-AMG G63.
While we’ll have to wait to hear more information about the SUV, it appears that the folks at Land Rover aren’t ready to give up their off-roading crown quite yet. And while it might not be as brash as something like a Raptor, we’re willing to bet the SVX will be quite the companion on-road and off.
Keyword: Watch a Hardcore Defender SVX Mule Lift a Wheel at the Ring