Off-roader with maxed-out luggage space
Off-road ability, giant boot and premium specification make for an appealing mix in the Defender 130 Outbound, writes Phuti Mpyane
There are more than 20 Defender models to choose from, and the 130 version sits at the top of a range with formidable off-road talent. It arrived for testing in Outbound specification and the name describes the prospects. Being 5,358mm nose to tail, 2,008mm wide with a height of 1,970mm, it’s one of the largest five-seaters on sale.
Regular 130 models have a roomy 3,022mm wheelbase to house eight passengers in a 2-33 seating configuration and are rated at l1,329l of cargo space. The Outbound model lacks the third row of seats and this frees up 2,516 of space to fit bulky cargo or luggage for five people.
The smoky paint is known as Carpathian grey and it’ sa R26,800 option that blends well with the standard fitment 20inch gloss black alloy wheels, though a larger 22-inch set is also available. Body colour options include Fuji white, Santorini black and Eiger grey and you can request a satin protective film.
The test car was also fitted as standard with the extended and body-coloured exterior utility panels to keep prying eyes away from valuable cargo inside but privacy glass is available for R9,800. The side-mounted gear carriers that don’t impede your side view cost R15,794 each and the snorkel is a R12,647 accessory.
The R26,375 expedition roof carrier increases the overall height of the 130 Outbound but fits snugly inside basements even with the air suspension set to its highest level. These optional items accentuate the rugged marauder appearance, and park distance control with a camera is standard and helps avoid dings and scrapes.
It’s a luxo-barge, thus you can optionally swaddle it with the Windsor leather-clad, heated, cooled and electric seats and matrix LED headlights with signature daytime running lights as found in our car. An Ebony Morzine headlining, Meridian sound system and 11.4-ich touchscreen display are standard items while an additional R8,900 nets you the driver’s assist pack which brings blind spot assist, rear collision, traffic monitor and adaptive cruise control.
The Defender engine line-up is broad but the Outbound model is sold exclusively in P400 turbocharged 3.0l six-cylinder
THE SMOKY PAINT IS CARPATHIAN GREY AND IT’S A R26,800 OPTION THAT BLENDS WELL WITH THE STANDARD FITMENT 20-INCH GLOSS BLACK ALLOY WHEELS
petrol guise. Outputs are 294kW and 550Nm and though it’ sa sonorous lump that isn’t short on puff, the 14l/100km fuel consumption average it returned will cost a small fortune to run. The drive is smooth though, and a big part of the Defender’s attraction.
The refinement is down to the air suspension that soaks up road imperfections and the silky-smooth eight-speed transmission that’s always hooked onto the right gear at the right time. It’s unexpectedly agile to drive in urban areas and though there’s body roll due to its sheer size, it’s very composed on roads and able to gallop at triple-digit speeds on highways and attack bends without fuss.
I’ve encountered enough Defender models in the past to know of their capability on and off-road, and if there are shortcomings beyond the outrageous fuel consumption of models like this P400, I’ve yet to experience them. The 3.0l diesel would have been a great alternative in the 130 model with its balance of power and fuel parsimony, as would the four-cylinder hybrid motors that aren’t available in the 130.
With many luxury, engine and size permutations, you can rest assured that you will find a perfect Defender mate. They offer acres of space, refined engines and opulence and their off-road prowess is legendary, equipped with diff-locks, lowrange gearing and the ability to ford 900mm of water.
Ticking off more options boxes brings features such as lane-keep assist and head-up display. The 130 Outbound that comes standard with knobbly rubber is rather niche — it’s more Kingsley Holgate than soccer mom.
If you fit the profile and have a few friends that share your penchant for faraway camping adventures, 20-inch steel wheels can be optioned for getaways into the wilderness.