The new Land Rover Defender is officially revealed
The new Land Rover Defender is officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, finally delivering a replacement for the iconic original Defender.
But the new Land Rover Defender is now here, officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 90 and 110 guises with the 110 on sale now from £45,240.
Gone is the old Defender’s body-on-frame, replaced by an aluminium monocoque based on the Range Rover’s and double-wishbone front suspension and Integral Link IRS, with either coil or air on the 90, but air only on the 110.
The new platform, and buyer tastes, means the new Defender is a chunk bigger, growing to 4583mm and 5018mm on the 90 and 110 respectively, there’s a 3022mm wheelbase on the 110 (a chunk bigger that the Disco) meaning short overhangs for off-road chops, and wheels sizes from 18-22″.
Of course, the Defender has permanent 4WD, and an eight-speed auto ‘box, low-speed transfer case, centre diff and optional locking rear diff, wding depth of 900mm, air suspension which can drop by 50mm or raise by 75mm (and. briefly, 145mm), LAnd Rover’s ClearSight GroundView and configurable Terrarin Response.
The launch engine options are the four-pot D200, D240 with 237bhp, P300 with 296bhp and a six-pot P400 mild hybrid with 395bhp. But more will arrive.
Inside, the models revealed bear testament to the Defender’s utilitarian roots with rubberised floors (and mats on top) and an exposed cross beam, as well as an (optional) centre jump seat, but there’s leather around, a 12.3″ digital instrument panel and 10″ infotainment screen.
Trim levels on offer are S, SE, HSE, First Edition (just for the first year) and X, and four accessory packs – Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban.
Land Rover Design boss Gerry McGovern said:
The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it. This is a new Defender for a New Age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment.
The Defender 110 is now available to order from £45,240, with Defender 90 and commercial versions arriving later with prices starting at around £40k.
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