New Defender News
- Thread starter blackangie
- Start date
nickw
Adventurer
Out of curiosity, why do you think the 4cyl is too small?
Tow vehicle at altitude. Intermountain West workload profile.
The 4 cyl is likely fine for urban flatlanders who occasionally tow a 3K lbs trailer or less but is too small outside that profile. It will struggle as will longevity.
Actually if they do a V8 it’ll be a supercharged 5.0 like the Range Rover Sport supercharged/Sport SVR and FFRR so around 550-575hp. 300hp in the 4cyl is plenty for most people that’s what the V8 LR3 has and this vehicle is a lot lighter and it has a better transmission. The I6 I’m not sold on I’d rather get a supercharged V8. But yeah the V8 will probably be around the price of a supercharged Range Rover Sport I don’t see it being anymore than a Sport SVR. IMO the New Defender with a 500+hp V8 re-geared with 35” tires will be flipping awesome.
nickw
Adventurer
Longevity - time will tell....but lots of the same comments with the 2.7EB on the F150 when it first came out, but has proven itself. I 100% agree that the engine will need to prove itself, but honestly think it's a stretch to say it's a fail.
It's powerful even relative to V8's of not long ago, if not better, and due to it's Turbo, probably deals with altitude better than those V8's.
It's not a 'tow' vehicle, but for the vast majority of people that are wheeling, exploring and have it loaded down with 1k of gear, I think the P300 is plenty of engine. It's heads and tails more powerful than any of the older diesel Defenders or any of the 1HZ LC 70's that guys like to compare this new Defender to.
JackW
Explorer
I really wish someone would publish a road test of the P300 4 cylinder gas powered 110. I've towed a number of trailers under 2500 lbs with my 112 HP 4 cylinder turbodiesel Defender 90 and it performed admirably. I've downsized my travel trailer back to one weighing under 1200 lbs after going up to a 3000 lb 17' Escape and finding it was just too much camper for my needs. If Land Rover had offered a non-MHEV six for a bit more than the four cylinder I'd be all over it. I was really hoping for an inline six cylinder diesel version but that's not coming here when it eventually gets introduced. So with the lower differential gearing and the relative success of the Ford turbo four cylinder gas engines I decided to order the P300 - hoping I'll be very pleasantly surprised.
I'm hoping it has more than enough power to tow something like one of the Australian Patriot campers at altitude.
I'm hoping it has more than enough power to tow something like one of the Australian Patriot campers at altitude.
Victory_Overland
Explorer
@JackW I am following you on this one and think the same thing and hope for success. Agreed it is not for towing and if towing is a necessity then the buyer really has to put that into play on a purchase of any vehicle and not just that of the new Defender.
I would LOOOOOVVVVEEEEEE to see the P300 review; I've see one that is limited but it really only states that the comparison side by side with the P400 is where the P400 shines; of course, I would hope it would but still doesn't say anything about true overall and direct performance.
I'd image a P300 turbo 4cyl is excellent considering we are seeing many full-size vehicles of heavier weight and purpose go to 6cyl and now 4cyl with great success and excellent mileage. Turbo will surely negate an altitude difference but not make it perform better, just perform the same at altitude deltas.
Right now my JLR cart has a P300 in it like you; just haven't pulled the trigger until I see some legit data I can make better assumptions with.
I would LOOOOOVVVVEEEEEE to see the P300 review; I've see one that is limited but it really only states that the comparison side by side with the P400 is where the P400 shines; of course, I would hope it would but still doesn't say anything about true overall and direct performance.
I'd image a P300 turbo 4cyl is excellent considering we are seeing many full-size vehicles of heavier weight and purpose go to 6cyl and now 4cyl with great success and excellent mileage. Turbo will surely negate an altitude difference but not make it perform better, just perform the same at altitude deltas.
Right now my JLR cart has a P300 in it like you; just haven't pulled the trigger until I see some legit data I can make better assumptions with.
JackW
Explorer
I'm still a bit disappointed with the engine choices, I was sort of planning on towing my restored Series IIA 88" to events up and down the east coast on a trailer behind the 110. That still might be possible but the combined weight of the truck and trailer would probably be a little over 4000 lbs. We will have to see how the P300 can handle that.
The bad part is that the TDV6 Discovery 5 that's in my driveway now would be ideal for that job.
The bad part is that the TDV6 Discovery 5 that's in my driveway now would be ideal for that job.
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DieselRanger
Well-known member
This may enlighten the reason why Land Rover is testing a V8 in the Defender:
Porsche 911 Head Claims New Emissions Rules Could Force Bigger Engines in 2026
This could drive everyone—not just Porsche—back to thirstier engines. But will it?
www.thedrive.com
Victory_Overland
Explorer
JackW
Explorer
And that's why I'm wondering if swapping the D5 for the new Defender with a 4 cylinder is going to be something I regret doing a year down the road. I am pretty certain that I will like the Defender better as an off road vehicle - it's just that the Discovery is such a really nice everyday car and 450 ft-lbs of torque is highly addictive.
Victory_Overland
Explorer
Not gonna get in your wheel-house on the finances but sounds like its one or the other and that is a dilemma for sure. My LR3 will stay and the D110 (4cyl) would be my new advanced toy and 60% daily driver since I have a nice commuter car; if I pulled the trigger on the new D110. I couldn't ever justify a new D5 and new D110 either so I don't blame you.
Towing will be a factor for some things, but I do not see it being a factor for all towing needs.
JackW
Explorer
Luckily I'm retired with a pension, social security and investment income from my 401k (start those early kiddos - when you get to be an old guy and everything is paid off you get to play with nicer toys). I really didn't plan on buying another new car so soon but we live pretty frugally so I can afford to be the ginuea pig for the rest of you guys. I'll have my old Defender and Series IIA's to keep me uncomfortable and unsafe.
Actually the safety of the newer Land Rovers is a huge factor for me, I've had numerous people I know walk away from some pretty spectacular accidents in later Discovery and Range Rover vehicles. The extra strength of the 110 monocoque is very much a factor on upgrading. I like the rear door, narrower width and promise of better off road ability that the new Defender seems to promise as well. The D5 is a great vehicle but I'll have to trade it in or sell it privately to move on to the new Defender. It just gives you that little glimmer of premonition that you might go "what the hell was I thinking" in a few months.
Actually the safety of the newer Land Rovers is a huge factor for me, I've had numerous people I know walk away from some pretty spectacular accidents in later Discovery and Range Rover vehicles. The extra strength of the 110 monocoque is very much a factor on upgrading. I like the rear door, narrower width and promise of better off road ability that the new Defender seems to promise as well. The D5 is a great vehicle but I'll have to trade it in or sell it privately to move on to the new Defender. It just gives you that little glimmer of premonition that you might go "what the hell was I thinking" in a few months.
Pskhaat
2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
I cannot stress enough how much I want to be you! Sincerely. Don't know how I'll do it...