The Defender V8 is proof that engineers aren’t all crisp white shirts with unimaginative haircuts. The Defender V8 – in Carpathian guise – is evidence of what happens when they are given the freedom to do what they want.
Of course, no one actually needs a 5.0-litre supercharged, three-door SUV, but it’s rather nice to have one. Look at it this way: I own a watch that can go 1,000 feet underwater. I’m never going to take it down there, but it’s reassuring to know that it will survive if I drop it in the sink.
And it’s this capability that makes the Defender so desirable. It has dynamic air suspension and a head-up display for when you want to drive hard; an electric tow bar, side steps and satin protective film for when you want to do something utilitarian; and a panoramic roof, heated/cooled seats and a Meridian audio system because… why not?
A recent excursion off-road in North Yorkshire demonstrated that the Defender has lost none of its practicality or composure when the going gets bumpy. Uneven tracks, hidden ruts, and the occasional mud patch were all shrugged off with characteristic ease, the V8’s poise making every obstacle feel less like a challenge and more like an invitation.
Once the car was in position, our optional 23” Hawke alloy wheels really completed the look, giving the Defender a stance that’s both commanding and unmistakably purposeful. Just take a glance at some of the pictures we captured – from every angle, it radiates confidence, capability, and a hint of playful rebellion.
We genuinely believe that the Defender V8 will go down as one of those ‘what the hell’ moments that we’ll look back on fondly in years to come. Of course, before long, it simply won’t be possible to make a car like this anymore. That’s what makes it special a rare moment of madness, a car that feels completely free to be exactly what it is.
Get one while you still can.
