Manhart will build you a 500bhp Defender without a V8

By topgear, 28 June 2021

Did you collect your new six-cylinder Defender the day before Land Rover announced the 518bhp supercharged V8 version? Not to worry – Manhart is here to save the day.

Yep, seems every Defender now needs at least 500bhp, so the German tuner will remap your standard turbocharged 3.0-litre unit for a total of 505bhp and 710Nm of torque. That'll do.

Upon request, Manhart will also fit new brakes, a stainless steel exhaust system and a new module for the air suspension that drops the Defender by 30mm. Then there are the wheels – massive 24-inch forged units, with the spare here showing off the optional 22-inch ‘smaller wheel’ that Manhart says is “more suitable for off-road use”. Yeah right.

Inside there’s new leather and Alcantara, as well as the option of swapping those front chairs for sporty Recaros. Hmmm.