The new 2022 Land Rover Defender is arriving, and it should represent a massive upgrade over the previous generation. Probably the most exciting news is that it will be offered with a new V8 engine, capable of producing over 500 horses.
Besides, the new generation will, alongside this engine, brings some exterior and interior upgrades. First of all, the Land Rover Defender will keep the same boxy styling, but it will get more attractive lines. On top of that, we should expect more standard features and plenty of optional amenities. Reportedly, the new SUV will be debut sometime next year. The main competitors to the Defender are models such as Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.
2022 Land Rover Defender Exterior
The recently spied 2022 Land Rover Defender features the same boxy styling, luring many customers with its sharp edges. Overall, the design is unique on the market, and Land Rover is keeping it for years. Generally, the new-generation represents 70 years of innovation.
First of all, the chunky and retro design remains, and the manufacturer refreshed mostly its front fascia. The revised grille is present with the same blocky LED headlight and thicker cluster cladding around the wheel arches. Also, the side profile of this SUV reveals new utilitarian-looking 18-inch steel wheels and a body-color roof. Interestingly, the Defender offers the same sporty stance with LED taillights and some small visual improvements on the back.
Interior Offers Many Amenities
The 2022 Land Rover Defender interior looks modern and simple. This model offers excellent comfort with the same layout as the previous one. The cargo room of Defender 90 has 15.6 cubic feet of space behind, which can be expanded to 58.3 cubic feet when the back seats are folded. However, more room one can found in 5-seat Defender 110, which has 34.0 cubic feet behind its 2nd row, or 78.8 cubic feet when the second row is folded.
Depending on trim levels, luxury inside will vary. For example, the standard Defender comes with a 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Sirius satellite radio, and cruise control. However, more amenities are available on upper trims, and among them are adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled front seats, sliding panoramic roof, and a 3D Surround Camera with ClearSight Grandview.
2022 Land Rover Defender Comes WIth New V8 Powertrain
As mentioned, the new 2022 Land Rover Defender will, alongside old engines, includes one new. So far, this SUV was offered with two engine options. The standard one is a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 that produces 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Also, it uses a very smooth 8-speed automatic transmission and FWD system as standard. However, the optional powertrain is a hybrid, available on the Land Rover Defender 110 model.
Unlike the first engine, this one offers an entirely different system. It consists of a 3.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid powertrain featuring an electric supercharger and a belt-integrated starter motor. On top of that, the system assists a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, delivering a total of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The last one, and the newest, is a mighty V8 powertrain that produces over 500 horses. Like both engines above, this one will also use an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Release Date and Price
The upgraded 2022 Land Rover Defender will surly arrive sometime in 2021. Base Defender 90 will most likely cost slightly higher than the outgoing model.
The current SUV starts at $46,000, while the new V8 cost more than $50,000. Reportedly, all future Land Rover Defenders will be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new plant in Nitra, Slovakia.