Are Americans getting diesel?
The Defender can be ordered in the USA with one of several gasoline engines. The base mill is a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 296 horsepower (221 Kilowatts) with 295 pound-feet (405 Newton-meters). The 3.0-liter mild hybrid I6 produces a total of 395 horsepower (295 kW), and 406 lb/ft (550 Nm). Dual exhaust tips are used to send exhaust gases backwards from both engines, one on each side.
The Defender we spotted here does not have that feature. Instead, the Defender has two exhaust tips that exit on the left side. It’s a good thing, as Defenders equipped with the 3.0-liter twin turbocharged diesel engine have the same exhaust system. Although the overall power isn’t as strong as the gasoline six, the wide, meaty torque curve is something off-roaders can only dream about.
We can draw one of two conclusions. This Defender could be testing an exhaust system that works with gasoline engines or running a diesel. This last part is the most intriguing. It raises an obvious question if it’s true. Why is Land Rover testing the diesel Defender in the States
Automakers are constantly testing new vehicles around the globe, so just because you see a prototype diesel Defender on a U.S. highway does not mean that a diesel version is likely. It is still a strange sighting and there have been rumors of a diesel-powered Defender arriving in North America. You can also see many V8-powered Defenders. However, those prototypes have quad exhaust outlets at the rear.
The bottom line is whether a diesel Defender makes sense in America. It is possible that Land Rover may also be trying to answer this question.