The biggest upgrade in the current Defender is its 2.4-litre common-rail diesel engine, which delivers 90KW over 60 percent of the rev range. This responsive, wind-generated engine has enough boost to cover rocky ground at low revs, while it also crosses over to the tarmac with ease. The new Defender’s six-speed manual gearbox has been refined for extreme driving, where gear changes are effortless, on-road consumption is improved and low-gear crawl towing is improved.
Other noticeable changes to new Land Rover Defenders include an upgraded interior, which has resulted in improved dashboards and instrumentation, which are weather-resistant; comfortable seats, which for the first time are adjustable; improved climate control which ensure quick, cool airflow, instant demist, defrost and cold weather warm-up, as well as which heat up that cabin faster than before. In the Defender 110, a new third-row seat allows accommodation for up to seven adults, while strong two-handed passenger grab handles give those in the rear something to hold onto during adventure driving. According to the Defender’s chief designer, Dave Saddington, this new interior design is ergonomic and versatile, while reflecting the Defender’s robust functionality and remaining in line with the range’s unique character.
Land Rover has refined four-wheel-drive capabilities across its hatch-back, station wagon, multi-purpose and pick-up vehicle ranges. This technology includes four-wheel-drive that is applied to all wheels continuously as a means of ensuring that the tyres keep their grip in sand, on rock or in mud. On demanding surfaces, the new Defender’s centre differential can be locked in order to force power to split equally between this vehicle’s sturdy axles. Providing grinding traction over loose gravel, swampy ground and sand, this technology prevents differential action, and helps the Defender’s tyres to maintain grips, no matter the challenge. Electronic Traction Control also assists with grip by redistributing power between wheels. This is done by applying brake force to any wheel that is accelerating more quickly than others.
Stable and sprung, Defender 4x4s have coil suspensions which help to keep all four wheels on the ground, even when they’re following jagged rock contours. In terms of towing and carrying, Land Rover Defenders remain unsurpassed in their class, with a 3 500-kilogram braked trailer load-carrying capability. Equipped with potent winches, Defenders have admirable pulling power, owing in part to their traction technology, which sustains grip on a variety of surfaces. When choosing a Defender, consider the body type best suited to your essential activities such as transporting passengers and cargo. The Defender range’s body styles and wheelbases have a general capacity of 1 500-kilograms, and are well suited to travelling long distances over dirt, gravel and stony roads. Hard Tops and Double Cab Pick-Ups are particularly well-suited to carrying bulky or large items, thanks to their spacious cargo holds and generous wheelbases.
The popular Defender station wagons offer SUV comfort and versatility combined with Land Rover’s solid durability. Flexible cloth seating accommodates up to seven people in the Defender 110, and the second row of seating can be folded down to stow extra luggage. In the Defender 90, four adults fit easily with plenty of leg room. Luxury features such as power steering, stereo CD player with speakers, tinted glass, heated seats, alloy wheels and air-conditioning make Defender station wagons a pleasure to drive and comfortable for long journeys. Its 6-speed manual transmission, combined with Land Rover’s common-rail, 2.4-litre diesel engine provides cross-country capability without guzzling fuel. This combination of comfort and utility makes the Defender diesel SUV a popular selection among weekender off-road enthusiasts, or family adventurers looking for additional cargo space.