Since 1990, the name Defender has been synonymous with one of the most original and indestructible all-terrain vehicles.
vehicles that Land Rover has ever produced. Over a total of nearly 70 years, the model,
previously known only by its brand name, was only developed cautiously – until the problems
with pedestrian protection finally sealed its disappearance in early 2016.
In the meantime, Land Rover launched the brand new successor last year which,
with its distinctive design and first-class off-road capability, honors the legacy of its legendary
ancestor. With the Defender DP 500, which has been significantly modified both technically and
visually, MANHART Performance shows that the new off-roader can also be at the top of its game
on the road.
The basis of the model now shown is a Defender P400 AWD in the five-door long body variant
110, whose three-liter in-line six-cylinder petrol engine produces an impressive output of 400 hp and 550 hp.
Nm even in standard condition thanks to supercharging. Lots of power then, but MANHART is
However, picking up the pace at this point by reconfiguring the Defender’s engine control
Software. This increases the power of the unit to a remarkable 512 hp and 710 Nm, which puts the
car on par with the top model, which is powered by a five-liter supercharged V8.
With the MANHART stainless steel exhaust system, which is still in preparation and will be
available with carbon or ceramic tailpipes, the Defender will also have a much more
distinctive and dominant acoustic aspect. While the vehicle presented has the standard
configuration, MANHART will implement a brake upgrade upon request. Regarding the chassis,
there is also an optimization of the factory air suspension, including a lowering of 30 millimeters either by adjusting the software or using connecting rods.

Visually, the DP 500 is particularly eye-catching with its new wheel set: MANHART Forged Line
10 × 24 inch rims, light gray finish and 295 / 30ZR24 tires. For those who prefer a smaller
wheel set which is also more suitable for off-road use, there is the Concave One in 10.5 × 22 inch with
black finish and gold trims and 295/40 tires, which are fitted at the rear as a spare wheel. Further
visual accents are defined on the one hand by male wing flares, which give the Defender
considerably wider shoulders and – like all other exterior components and the engine cover – are
painted in the color of the body, and on the other hand by silver decorative stripes applied to the black
body.
Last but not least, MANHART refines the interior with a high quality leather / Alcantara interior
including individually selectable accents. In addition, there is a set of electric controls
RECARO MANHART ErgoMed front seats for driver and front passenger including
heating and cooling as well as integrated airbags.