SPY PICS: Land Rover Defender SVX hits the track
Upcoming Land Rover Defender off-road hero spends some time on road tyres at the NurburgringThe hardcore 2024 Land Rover Defender SVX has been spotted testing again, this time pumping out laps of the Nurburgring in Germany on a more road-friendly wheel and tyre combination.
We last saw an SVX prototype on the back of a flatbed truck in northern Europe, wearing a go-anywhere set of 265/60R20 BF Goodrich Trail-Terrain tyres and beefed-up suspension geometry designed to give the already immensely capable off-roader even more ground clearance.
This time around, however, the hero V8 can be seen running on low-profile Michelin rubber as it roars its way around the Nordschleife circuit – still predominantly cloaked in black and white camouflage – but look closely and you’ll see the original rolling stock affixed to the tailgate as the factory spare.
Chances are the A/T rubber will be standard fitment on the SVX while the performance-focused Michelins will be optional, or could even just be fitted for performance testing purposes.
The car we can see scything through one of the Green Hell’s 154 corners isn’t the same one as spotted on the back of the flatbed on account of its differing camo wrap and number plate, but doesn’t reveal anything new about the SVX’s design or mechanical make-up.
What’s under the bonnet is turning out to be one of the main focal points of discussion when referring to the SVX, given the Defender has traditionally been offered with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8.
There are growing undercurrents suggesting the BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre unit, as seen in some Range Rovers, will be installed instead.
Unfortunately, we can’t hear the prototype for ourselves – the two V8s have distinctly different soundtracks – but our covert snapper didn’t fancy wading into the debate and giving us their best guess.
Odds are the whining 5.0-litre will prevail given it’s already a proven measure within the Defender family.
Global rivals for the Defender SVX will include the Ford Bronco Raptor, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 and the Aussie-developed Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport and Nissan Patrol Warrior.
Insiders have suggested the most capable Defender yet will be revealed later in the year and launch globally in the first half of 2024.
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