Power and individual styling for the heir to the legend
Only have a 3.0Litre capacity but want the power of Land Rovers Supercharged V8? Well Manhart Performance has thought about your needs and the solution comes in the form or they're Defender DP 500.
Last year Land Rover launched the completely new successor to the Legendary off-roader that lasted 70 years, known from 1990 as the Defender, and the new model with its distinctive design and first-class off-road capability, honors the legacy of its legendary ancestor.
However with the Defender DP 500, Manhart has significantly modified both technical and visual aspects to make it a presence on the road too as well as off road.
The source for the Manhart DP 500 model is a Defender P400 AWD in the five door 110 guise, whose 3.0Litre turbocharged, in-line 6-cylinder engine produces 400bhp and 550 lb ft, plenty of grunt then to get you from A to B and up a muddy verge out in the wilderness, but Manhart Performance nonetheless feels the model needs to go a step further, and who can blame them when you look at the incredible spec they have created.
Manhart started by remapping the Defender's engine control software. This increases the power to a significant 512bhp and 710 lb ft, which puts the car on par with the new top model, which is powered by a 5.0Litre Supercharged V8, which itself produces 518bhp.
From the engine bay to the note and the MANHART stainless steel exhaust system, (which is still in preparation) will be available with either carbon or ceramic-coated tailpipes, the Defender will also have a much more distinctive and dominant acoustic appearance.
MANHART on request will implement a brake upgrade, as the vehicle presented is in the standard configuration, there is also a number of chassis tweaks, with the factory air suspension being enhanced, including being lowered by 30 millimeters - either by adjusting the software or with the help of coupling rods.
On the outside, the DP 500 catches your eye with its new set of 24” Manhart forged line rims, with a light grey finish and 295/30ZR24 tyres, and for those who prefer a smaller, more off-road friendly set, there is the Concave One in 22” with black finish with gold trim and 295/40 tyres, which is mounted on the rear as a spare wheel.
Further visuals changes consist of masculine wing flares, which give the Defender noticeably wider shoulders and - like all other exterior components and the engine cover - are painted in body colour, and on the other hand by decorative silver stripes applied to the black bodywork.
The interior of the DP 500 has been refined with high-quality leather/Alcantara interior including individually selectable accents. In addition, there is a set of electrically operated MANHART ErgoMed front seats from RECARO for the driver and front passenger, including heating and cooling as well as integrated airbags.
