It’s here...rugged Defender has finally Land-ed

AT last, after a long wait, the new Land Rover Defender has landed.

Launched to the world’s press in Frankfurt, the Defender is the car which underpins the whole Land Rover brand.

Let’s get straight to the details – it’s available as a five-door model, designated the 110, and a three-door one called the 90.

The 110 has 5+2 seating and, like the 90, features a middle “jump” seat so that three people can sit up front. I love it. The 90 will seat six, which is impressive for a vehicle no longer than a family hatchback.

Land Rover claims that no other SUV can match this car for toughness or off-road ability.

The firm has thrown all its technology and know-how at it, including Terrain Response 2 and a new Wade programme

(the Defender has a wading depth of 900mm).

The 110 has got a maximum payload of 900kg, with a static roof load of up to 300kg and a towing capacity of 3,500kg. A wide range of powerplants is available, starting with four and six-cylinder petrol engines which feature mild hybrid technology. There are also a couple of four-cylinder diesel engines and a plug-in hybrid powertrain is due to join them next year.

The Defender 110 is available to order now from £45,240.

Exact prices for the 90 and commercial versions of the vehicle will be announced soon, but a guide of around

£40k for the former and

£35,000 plus VAT for the latter should be accurate.

I can’t wait to get to sit behind the wheel of this reborn icon.