A modern upgrade on a masterpiece...

...Ian Donaldson finds history can repeat itself

LIKE a pop group’s difficult second album there was every chance Land Rover might stumble when its rough-andtough Defender finally had to be replaced.

Especially as the new one would no longer be taking hay bales down to the bottom field to feed the sheep - a task long ago assumed by an army of workhorse pick-ups with Japanese badges.

Instead, Land Rover had to build something thoroughly modern that kept the spirit of that first 1948 Defender but appealed to an audience that wantsstylewithsubstanceand is happy to pay for it.

And - long drum roll, please - Land Rover has pulled it off. Here is a car not remotely like the old one to drive or live with but infused with enough nononsense capabilities to feed the sheep even if they live on a mountain in a snow storm - in theory.

For, make no mistake, the newDefenderwillgoanywhere the old one would, and more probably.

Except if never will, instead keeping its owners happy as they pack the kids in the rear two rows and head off on an outdoor adventure or remote glamping site.

The trick the new Defender’s design team has pulled of with distinction is making the car feel like a Range Rover to drive but sprinkled hints of its past all over the place, from exposedscrewheadsonthedoors to ribbed step-on panels on the bonnet and even steel wheels instead of alloys, if you wish.

The result is a look that had a mature Jaguar SUV driver quizzing this test’s author on the car, which he was admiring, and a style-conscious 12-year-old neighbour who declared she would have one when she became an actress in Hollywood.

Most cars, however fine to drive, don’t elicit reactions like that. The new Mini did, back in 2000 but precious few since. Land Rover’s gamble has paid offand,liketheMini,thebrand marches on.

Beneath the looks sits a car that will have driver and passengers happy however long the journey as their transport floats along on air suspension that smooths away the worst a country lane can throw at it.

Younger passengers instantly note the battery of power points sprayed around the cabin, waiting for their phones to be plugged in, while the driver will be enjoying the clarity of an electronic dash that maintains enough old-fashioned controls (importantly, for heating and cooling) to keep stress levels low.

And everyone will marvel at the way Land Rover has found room for stowage pockets all overtheplace-evenbehindthe central display on the dash. It’s a practical touch that pays elegant homage to that first Defender.

A quiet diesel engine provides plenty of performance and 31.4mpg on test is good enough to please the family accountant.

And the old ‘un never offered parking cameras front, side and rear, LED headlights or front seats that adjust electrically and heat or cool at the push of a button. It’s called progress - and it’s worked a treat.