During the 1990s, while stationed in South Africa, Frank Isenberg, the Chief Engineer at BMW, fortuitously discovered that the BMW M52 2.8i engine was a seamless fit for the Defender. This revelation came at a time when BMW was in ownership of Land Rover.

Consequently, the team installed the M52 engine into the front of a Defender, marking a significant milestone in the development of the iconic vehicle that we know and cherish today.

After weeks of confidential discussions between Rosslyn in South Africa, BMW in Munich, and Land Rover in Solihull, the first-ever Defender 2.8i was developed. The first prototype, aptly named “Green Mamba” surpassed expectations during testing, demonstrating exceptional driving capability, off-road performance, and resilience to inclement weather. The team was astonished by the success of the transplant and the impressive functionality of the vehicle.

This rare version of the Defender was only ever available in South Africa, these Defenders were powered by a six-cylinder BMW M52 engine. Only 656 D90’s and 739 D110’s were ever built this way from factory. Following the takeover of Land Rover by BMW, the 2.8i Defender became top priority of both Land Rover SA and BMW AG. The 2.8i engine offered superior performance compared to previous engines used in the Defender. Due to the limited production run and the fact that Land Rover discontinued the Defender line altogether in 2016, these vehicles are considered to be quite rare and highly prized amongst owners.

Capable of reaching an exhilarating 6 000rpm – the 2.8i completely revolutionized the Land Rover brand, expanding its appeal into an entirely new market. Its unique combination of power and versatility has made it a favorite among enthusiasts who enjoy navigating challenging terrain, all while dominating the urban jungle.

Specifications
Engine: A high-revving BMW M52 twin-cam straight-six engine, found in the E39 BMW 528i

Performance: 142 kw (190 hp) and 280 nm torque

Transmission: R380, 5-speed manual with high & low range, full-time 4×4.

Acceleration 0-60mph: 9.1s