Land Rover Defender 2021 test: plug-in hybrid or gasoline V8?

With its 2.5 t on the scale and its large carrier dimensions, the recent Defender is not exactly cut to hunt ecological bonuses. Sweet euphemism: its petrol and diesel versions all get a penalty of € 30,000! The consumer screams, the tax collector smiles, and Land Rover reacts… not without schizophrenia. On the one hand, the Defender 2021 hosts a plug-in hybrid version of 404 hp cumulative, which promises up to 42 km of autonomy in 100% electric mode and is free from any environmental tax. Same result for the “hard-top” diesel Defenders, which abandon their seats to become utility vehicles and pass under the radar of the penalty.

An objective totally eluded by the other novelties, which are more aimed at provocation. In diesel, the 2.0 l four-cylinder (200 and 240 hp) are replaced by 3.0 l six-cylinder (200 and 250 hp) whose light hybridization in 48 V does not lead to the slightest drop in ecotax. The highlight of the show takes the form of an astonishing version, in a good sense, powered by a compressed 5.0 l petrol V8 spewing 525 hp and 625 Nm of torque. You read correctly. This leggy 4 x 4 exceeds the power of the latest Porsche 911 GT3, in both long 110 and short 90 bodywork, which becomes the fastest “cube” in the world with only 5.2 s to go from 0 at 100 km / h. A furiously useless variation, therefore totally essential, at least for the lucky ones able to afford it.

Land Rover Defender 2021 price

The Defender plug-in hybrid P400e can be purchased from € 75,500. It is between 1,700 and 5,600 € more expensive than the short P400 (with six-cylinder petrol 300 hp and 48 V light hybridization), but this difference does not mean much when this latest version has to add 30,000 € d ecotax on registration… The P400e therefore becomes the cheapest Defender in the range (the D200 starts at € 57,400 but also suffers a € 30,000 penalty), if however this adjective can be used at this tariff altitude. Apart from the call version, which also loses the essential lifting air suspension, prices increased significantly at the start of the year, without noticeable enrichment of the endowment (see the cascade of equipment and the many options detailed on the next page).

From then on, and even if it means spending € 30,000 to edit your registration card, you might as well afford the petrol Defender, the real one: the V8 5.0, only associated with the special Carpathian finish in France. Rate ? € 129,600 before penalty or € 126,000 for 90 bodywork, the price / size ratio of which is becoming the most delusional on the market (at 4.32 m excluding the spare wheel, this Def ‘at more than € 150,000 including ecotax is shorter than a Renault Mégane !). Finally, note that this 90 variation is not available in P400e rechargeable hybrid, due to lack of space to house its batteries.

Driving the Defender P400e

Our journey begins in a plug-in hybrid Defender, which recovers the drivetrain of the Range Sport and Range Rover P400e brothers. The 300 hp four-cylinder turbo petrol is still supported by a 143 hp electric machine housed in the gearbox, but the battery goes from 13.1 to 19.2 kWh in capacity and can now be drunk on a fast terminal in direct current. Result: 80% of energy recovered in thirty minutes on a 50 kW terminal, when it takes two hours on a 7 kW Wallbox and seven hours on a domestic socket.

At the wheel, since the electric autonomy rarely exceeds 30 km with a light foot, you might as well select the Hybrid mode (instead of EV), which gently awakens the 2.0 l turbo when there is a need for power. The reminders, very wise in electrical, then become energetic despite the pachydermal weight of the vehicle (2.6 t!), to the detriment of consumption which quickly exceeds 12 l per 100 km. And again, we had not selected the Save mode, which mobilizes the four-cylinder petrol to refuel the batteries while driving.

A practical function to recover a little electric autonomy before arriving in town or, better, on a trial ground. Born adventurer, the Land Rover Defender remains in plug-in hybrid and remains able, even in EV mode, to drive its four wheels or engage its range of short speeds. Peaceful walks in forest paths, crossings of XXL bridges in the mountains (which make the wheels spin and hear the differentials working!), Each experience outside asphalt is a feast for the ears, which perceive the song of the birds rather than that of the internal combustion engine. . Unique.

Hybridization hardly generates more towing constraints, as this version can tow up to 3 tonnes, just 500 kg less than the petrol versions. Quiet in the city, comfortable on the road, formidable in crossing, the Defender P400e also takes care of the pleasure of its controls with a braking easy enough to dose for a hybrid and a precise direction which leads a well balanced chassis if not very agile. . In fact, it is only a field where it does not reach the approval of the big brothers Range Rover: the highway. Loud air noises after 110 km / h and the absence of a real centering system in the track do not make long journeys so relaxing. But to circumscribe a Defender to a smooth and straight four-way would seem a waste with the moderates, a crime with the radicals.

Driving the Defender V8

A supercar engine in an outright 4×4? This is reminiscent of another automotive unicorn, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 S and its 585 hp twin-turbo V8. The soft hiss of the English V8 at start, however, contrasts with the barks of the German side-exhausts, and this difference in character continues once in motion. At the wheel of the Defender V8, the first maximum acceleration since a standstill is almost disappointing. At issue: the highest mass in the range (2.7 t), but also the maximum torque of 625 Nm ultimately lower than that of the P400e (640 Nm cumulative, 2.6 t) and D300 (650 Nm, 2 versions) , 4 t) taken in hand a few hours previously.

This funny Defender complex still most GTIs on takeoff and cultivates an incomparable charm. First, there is this endearing soundtrack, certainly muffled by particle filters but whose agreements have become rare make open-window evolutions addictive. Then, this pleasant reactivity of the right pedal, which cancels any hesitation when it comes to clearing a line of heavy goods vehicles. The thrust is born, matures, amplifies, gradually up to 6500 rpm without ever becoming blunt; just the opposite of 95% of modern engines.

Finally, we salute this unexpected pleasure on a winding road, served by the damping and the optimized rear differential, and energized in driving mode… Dynamic, reserved for this version. By insisting a little, the traction control still cuts the quid of the V8 out of a hairpin, but the controlled body movements, the well-balanced chassis and the reassuring braking (with six-piston calipers which impose the wheels of 20 inches minimum ) do not turn mountain passes into a quarter of an hour of frustration.

At a good pace, we are just surprised to see a quarter of a full tank of gas fly away in a few dozen kilometers, despite a 90 l tank. The on-board computer confirms it, however: no less than 16 l per 100 km at 130 km / h, and nearly 25 l while wanting to follow the GTI “cold” at the green light a little earlier. No wonder and highly forgivable, driving a machine that can do everything and do it perfectly. The only small drawback in off-road compared to the other versions? An exit angle reduced by four degrees because of the large exhaust silencer with four exits. But given its value (33.5 °), there is already enough to descend a staircase without damaging anything, so …

On board the 2021 Defenders

Competition

Of course, we could mention here some plug-in hybrid SUVs with all-wheel drive such as the BMW X5 45e (394 hp cumulative, from € 84,350), Mercedes GLE 350 e (333 hp, from € 84,300), or even DS 7 Crossback E- Tense 4 x 4 (300 hp, from € 56,300). But, in spirit as in crossing capabilities, only the Jeep Wrangler can oppose the Defender. The American has just welcomed a plug-in hybrid version called 4xe, with 380 hp combined and sold from € 68,200. Competition from the 525 hp Defender V8 is even less easy to find: who else but the Mercedes-AMG G 63 S, at 585 ch and 167,100 € minimum, share the same (funny) values?

Find the results of the test, the equipment prices and the technical sheets of the Defender on the next page …