Land Rover Defender Returns

Land Rover's

DEFENDER RETURNS!

I haven’t driven the new Defender yet, I haven’t even sat in one, never mind seen one in the flesh without its body kit on, like pretty much 99.9% of everyone who’s reading this, but what’s glaringly obvious is that it's already dividing opinion more than Brexit.

As a life long Land Rover fan, even I have to admit that the old Defender was outdated. Fuel consumption, security, safety, build quality and even practicality - all awful. I feel dirty even thinking that, never mind actually publishing it.

Let’s be honest for a moment or two, the traditional Series Land Rover, up until the last Defender, was never designed or built with the enthusiast in mind, it was for farmers, utility companies and the military.

Granted, clever marketing inspired the inner adventurer in us, and it was the hardened enthusiasts who brought them home, introduced them to their families and fitted wide tyres and decals. They made wonderful overlanders and green-laners, and that’s because they were built for a purpose.

Some owners have been desensitised to the original Defender's many faults (including myself when I had one), but despite them it became a part of the family, a bit like a problem child, bloody annoying, but you’ll protect it to the ends of the earth.

Chatting to a friend the other day, we both agreed that a lot of people who are against the new Defender misunderstand the target market.

I don’t believe it was ever meant to be a replacement for the old Defender.

The all-new Defender is the Defender for the masses, it isn’t agricultural, it won’t be noisy and if flipped on its roof, it certainly won’t be a death trap. The all-new Defender will be better in every way over the old one, better on road, better off road, improved build quality, fuel consumption, security, safer, and even more practical. Will it have charisma and charm? Hmmm…

As a company, making the old Defender didn’t make economic sense, sales were never that good, especially when you compare them to the Evoque and Discovery Sport, let’s not even mention legislation and emissions.

I can sit here and type away justifying the reasons why Land Rover have done what they’ve done all day long, but let’s get on and discuss the new one.

On the outside, Land Rover say it retains an unmistakable silhouette, I don’t see it, personally. However, the more you look at it in detail, the more you see certain design cues from the previous model, only more modern, and sleeker.

It reminds me of when BMW reinvented the MINI - they took an old and outdated design and created a new vehicle for the new century and beyond. They made it safer, comfier, more practical and dare I say it, better. Ring any bells?

The all-new Defender certainly looks purposeful, with its upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining the side-hinged rear tailgate and externally-mounted spare wheel which nods to the previous model. Then of course there’s the minimal front and rear overhangs providing what looks like pretty decent approach and departure angles.

For strength and rigidity Land Rover’s new purpose-engineered D7x (for extreme) architecture is 95% new and based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create the stiffest body structure Land Rover has ever produced. They say it’s three times stiffer than traditional body-on-frame designs, providing perfect foundations for the fully independent air or coil sprung suspension and supports the latest electrified powertrains.

Personally, I think it’s a grower.

Inside

Land Rover say that the stripped-back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside with certain structural elements and fixings that are usually hidden from view are now exposed. I’d say they want to hark back to Series 1 and 2 days, that’s when you had a bare metal bulkhead, not Defenders.

Focusing on the practical side of things, the new Defender features a dash-mounted gear lever so to accommodate an optional central front third seat, which provides three-abreast seating across the front, just like early Land Rovers.

As a result, the Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating configurations, with a loadspace behind the second-row seats of up to 1,075 litres, and as much as 2,380 litres when the second row is folded. The 90 on the other hand will be able to accommodate six people in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback.

For owners who will actually take their new Defenders greenlaning or on other off-road adventures have durable rubberised flooring and a brush or wipe clean interior. There’s an optional folding fabric roof which will allow passengers in the secondrow seats of the 110 to stand up (when parked, obviously), to provide the full safari experience.

What about technology?

The new Defender is as technologically advanced as it is durable, they claim. With the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, the next generation touchscreen is more intuitive and user-friendly, requiring fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while its always-on design guarantees almost instant responses.

In addition, the new Defender takes Software- Over-The-Air (SOTA) technology to a new level, with 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates. By downloading data while customers are asleep at home or in far-flung locations, the new Defender will get better with age: as electronic updates cascade down to the vehicle immediately, without delay and with no need to visit a Land Rover retailer. I really hope that it stays reliable for JLR, they don’t have the best reputation for electronic reliability.

Been around the block a few times then?

Land Rover say that the new Defender has been through more than 62,000 tests for engineering sign-off, while the chassis and body architecture have been engineered to withstand Land Rover’s Extreme Event Test procedure – repeated and sustained impacts, above and beyond the normal standard for SUV and passenger cars.

During development testing, prototype models have covered more than 800,000 miles across some of the harshest environments on earth, ranging from the 50º heat of the desert and sub 40º cold of the Arctic to altitudes of 10,000ft in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Off-road prowess

Configurable Terrain Response debuts on the new Defender, allowing experienced off-roaders to finetune individual vehicle settings to perfectly suit the conditions, while inexperienced drivers can let the system detect the most appropriate vehicle settings for the terrain, using the intelligent Auto function.

The new body architecture provides ground clearance of 291mm and world-class off-road geometry, giving the 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38º, 28º and 40º whilst in off road height respectively. Its maximum wading depth of 900mm is supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence.

On dry land, Land Rover’s advanced ClearSight Ground View technology, which is really very good, helps drivers avoid obstacles by showing the area usually hidden by the bonnet, directly ahead of the front wheels, on the central touchscreen.

Body styles

As most of us will know by now, the new Defender will be available in 90 and 110 body designs, and as I’ve mentioned earlier, with up to six seats in the 90 and the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the 110. There will also be a pair of practical commercial models joining the line-up in 2020.

The model range comprises Defender, S, SE, HSE, First Edition and top of the range Defender X models. If you have the budget, you can personalise your Defender with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements.

The exclusive First Edition model features a unique specification and will be available throughout the first model year of production.

I love the idea that customers will even be able to opt for a new satin protective film wrap to make the exterior paintwork even more durable. The sustainable, solvent-free and completely recyclable wrap helps protect against everything from car park scratches to bramble rash and will be available as a factory-fit option on certain colours.

Just so you’re in no doubt what type of vehicle you’re buying, the new Defender is available with the widest choice of accessories ever assembled for a new Land Rover, with everything from a remote control electric winch, rooftop tent and inflatable waterproof awnings to more conventional tow bar systems and roof racks.

Let’s talk about the range of engines.

Currently you have a choice of 2 petrol and 2 diesel engines, while a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will join the range next year.

The petrol line-up comprises a 4-cylinder P300 and a more powerful 6-cylinder P400 featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle tech.

The diesel line-up consists of a couple of 4-cylinder diesels – the D200 and powerful D240, both of which deliver fuel economy of 37.2mpg (7.6 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 199g/km (NEDC equivalent).

Prices

2.0L SD4 200HP DIESELD200 Defender 110 £45,240D200 S 110 £48,6952.0L SD4 240HP DIESEL £52,625D200 SE 110D240 Defender 110 -D240 S 110 £51,750D240 SE 110 £55,680D240 HSE 110 £60,505D240 First Edition 110 £58,8602.0L Si4 300HP PETROLP300 Defender 110 £48,295P300 S 110 £51,750P300 SE 110 £55,6803.0L i6 400HP PETROLP400 X 110 £78,800

So there we are, the all new Defender, a Defender for the modern world.

Like it or loathe it, there’s no doubt that it will sell and make Jaguar Land Rover plenty of money. It was never going to be an easy task for Land Rover and it was always going to divide opinions. In truth, as I wrote earlier, the old Defender was an outdated design, it was flawed, and no one can deny that, but it was also loved and revered by many. Will the same be said for the new Defender?

I hope so, for Land Rovers sake. more at » www.landrover.co.uk

DEFENDER RETURNS!