Reimagining an icon
The firstgeneration Defender remained almost unchanged over a three-decade production run. The new model, fresh on local soil, has large tyre tracks to follow, says Kyle Kock.
Of all the models in the Land Rover line-up, the Defender was the one that was most true to the original ethos of the Series 1. It was put to pasture indefinitely four years ago, as a relic of ancient motoring when emissions regulations and crash-test safety standards were not yet as important as they are today.
But the motoring world and 4x4 community waited with bated breath as the Solihull-based firm worked on a successor. Finally, after a long build-up and much-hyped unveiling, the all-new Defender is available locally.
Much like any new product reveal around the world, the Defender was introduced to our market via live YouTube broadcast.
What do we have here?
For now, only the five-door long-wheelbase 110, codenamed L851, will be available in South Africa, with the short-wheelbase Defender 90 planned to land locally in the first half of next year.
The original series Land Rover profile has been labelled as one of the most recognisable profiles in the automotive world, up there with the Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper. It also has an interesting origin story.
Rover designer Maurice Wilks who had extensively driven the Willys Jeep, wanted to improve the model somewhat and drew the outline of what would become the Series 1 in the sand on a beach in Wales. And the Defender resembled the Series 1 the most.
Being tasked with trying to recreate a legend like the Defender might be unenviable to most, but Jaguar Land Rover design head Gerry McGovern and his team at the firm’s lab in Gaydon, Warwickshire have brought something to market that brings the Defender nameplate into the modern era while still paying homage to the original.
On the outside and inside
This reverence for the Defender’s legacy is particularly evident in the vertical rear end, and the way the rear three-quarter panels stop abruptly for the flat side-hinged tailgate. It’s better like that, because any design lines or creases would make fitment of a spare wheel a little awkward anyway.
Then there are also the short front and rear overhangs – a hallmark of any true off-roader worth its salt. The approach and departure angles vary depending on which mode you have the air suspension in: 30,1 ° and 37,7 ° as you drive about town, and 38 ° and 40 ° in offroad mode. Then there’s also the ‘alpine’ glass, which are strips of glass on each side of the roof that let maximum light into the cabin.
Standard features include modernities like auto-on and rain-sensing self-levelling LED headlamps, LED taillights, anti-trap electric windows, puddle lights, tyre-pressure monitoring system, dual-zone climate control and rubber flooring throughout the cabin. Land Rover’s latest generation infotainment system is accessed via a 10” touchscreen, through which you’ll also be able to
download the latest vehicle updates.
Land Rover is claiming that this new Defender is its most capable model yet and to this end, it’s got the aforementioned height-adjustable airsuspension, a wade sensing system that shows you how deep you are in water (maximum depth is 900 mm), and 3D surround camera system that will help place you perfectly between obstacles without scuffing up your vehicle. The same technology also gives you a view between the front wheels for when you’ve ascending steep inclines and can only see the sky from behind the steering wheel. You’re going to have to spec up your Defender to include tech like the electronic diff.
Regardless of which spec level you decide to go for between the base, S, SE and HSE models, there are four packs that we suspect will be a hit with consumers looking to customise their rig from the factory as much as possible.
The Explorer Pack includes a raised air intake, lightweight roof rack and 24 ℓ side pannier. The Adventure Pack has a rinse system for washing off dirty gear, 20 ℓ seat backpack, and integrated compressor. The Country Pack has what Land Rover calls classic mud flaps, a load space partition, and wheel-arch protection. The Urban Pack has bright metal pedals, a spare-wheel cover and front underbody protection and a bright rear scuff plate.
These packs are also further customisable with other options off the long list which includes deployable side steps, roof ladders, front frame protection bars, deep-sided floor and boot mats and multiple wheel options. You can spend hours swapping things out on the online configurator, and we strongly suggest you do that before you get your cheque book out, so you get exactly what you want.
Under the bonnet
There are three engine options available, including the one we’d probably opt for the most; a 2,0 ℓ twin-turbodiesel model with 177kw and 430 Nm, that will probably be enough for most. There are also motors that drink unleaded fuel, a 2,0 ℓ turbopetrol with 221 kW and 400 Nm, and the range-topping 3,0 ℓ straight-six that features a turbocharger, supercharger and an electric motor that essentially makes this a hybrid. The halo model offers 294 kW and 550 Nm.
For the first year of being on sale, Land Rover will make ‘first edition’ models available that will be specced optimally for your money.
We’ll have one in white, please!