The New Defender Brings More Technologies and Capabilities
Across seven decades of pioneering innovation, Defender has earned a unique place in the hearts of explorers, humanitarian agencies and adventurous families across the world. Proven in the harshest environments on earth, the latest Defender maintains this bloodline.
- World-class expert off- and on-road: all-terrain ability is beyond question and on-road comfort adds to its unique character.
- Safety by numbers: Defender 110 has maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, scoring 85 per cent for Adult and Child Occupant protection and 79 per cent for Safety Assist.
- Innovative off-road tech: Pioneering Terrain Response 2 includes Wade programme and Configurable Terrain Response, so experts and novices can optimise traction in all conditions.
- Five- or six-seat Plug-in Hybrid: Unrivalled off-road ability for a plug-in electric hybrid, 44 km electric-only range and CO2 emissions from just 72g/km.
- what3words navigation: Defender can find and navigate to any 3m square on the planet, without the need for a phone signal, using the advanced Pivi Pro infotainment system.
The comprehensive line-up comprises compact 90, practical 110 and spacious 130 body designs, along with the five-seat 130 Outbound and the Defender Hard Top commercial vehicle. Defender delivers a transformational breadth of capability with space for up to eight. Advanced all-terrain technologies redefine adventure, remaining true to the pioneering spirit that has been a hallmark of the brand for more than 70 years.
Emotionally charged design
Defender’s distinctive silhouette is instantly recognisable, with minimal front and rear overhangs providing excellent approach and departure angles. Defender’s designers re-envisioned familiar trademarks, giving the 4x4 a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining identifiable original features like the side-hinged tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel.
The stripped-back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside, where structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been exposed, with the emphasis on simplicity and practicality. Innovative features include a dash-mounted gear shifter to accommodate an optional centre front ‘jump’ seat, which provides three-abreast seating across the front.
As a result, Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating configurations, with a loadspace behind the second-row seats of up to 1,075 litres, and up to 2,380 litres when the second row is folded, while Defender 90 is capable of accommodating six occupants in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback.
Defender 130 offers exploration for up to eight adults across three rows (2+3+3) of seating – with the option of luxurious Captain’s Chairs in the second row – and a maximum loadspace of up to 2,516 litres, while Defender 130 Outbound exclusively offers five seats and a vast load area for ultimate adventures.
The definition of durability
Defender’s purpose-engineered D7x (for extreme) architecture is based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create a stiff body structure. It is three times stiffer than traditional body-on-frame designs, providing perfect foundations for the fully independent air or coil sprung suspension, and supports the latest electrified powertrains.
During its development, Defender was put through more than 62,000 tests for engineering sign-off, while the chassis and body architecture have been engineered to withstand JLR’s Extreme Event Test procedure – enduring repeated and sustained impacts, above and beyond the normal standard for SUV and passenger cars.
Prototype models covered millions of kilometres across some of the harshest environments on earth, ranging from the 50-degree heat of the desert and sub 40-degree cold of the Arctic, to altitudes of 10,000ft in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Defender’s legendary toughness is highlighted by the five-star Euro NCAP safety rating awarded to the 110. An 85 per cent score for adult and child protection and 79 per cent for Safety Assist helped it gain the maximum possible score in this benchmark assessment.
A world-class expert off- and on-road
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and a twin-speed automatic gearbox, centre differential and optional Active Locking Rear Differential ensure it has all the hardware required to excel in the soft sand of the desert, the freezing tundra of the arctic and everywhere in between.
The Defender V8 builds on more than 40 years of V8 heritage and features a unique specification and specially developed chassis set-up. Its Active Locking Rear Differential incorporates a Yaw Controller for even greater agility and unrivalled driver engagement.
Configurable Terrain Response allows experienced off-roaders to fine-tune individual vehicle settings to perfectly suit the conditions, while inexperienced drivers can let the system detect and deploy the most appropriate vehicle settings for the terrain, using the intelligent Auto function.
Its body architecture provides ground clearance of 291mm and world-class off-road geometry, giving Defender 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees (off-road height) respectively. A maximum wading depth of 900mm for all body designs is supported by the Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence.
On dry land, optional advanced ClearSight Ground View technology helps drivers take full advantage of Defender’s all-conquering capability by showing the area usually hidden by the bonnet, directly ahead of the front wheels, on the central touchscreen.
Power and efficiency
A choice of advanced four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines ensures Defender has the power, control and efficiency for any environment, while its plug-in Electric Hybrid powertrain provides silent EV-only progress of up to 44 km.
The petrol line-up comprises a P300 and refined P425, featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology. The powerful Defender V8 features a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine and is the fastest, most powerful and dynamic production Defender ever made, with 525PS in Defender 90 V8 and Defender 110 V8, and 500PS in Defender 130 V8.
Alternatively, clients can choose an in-line six-cylinder diesel – the D350 – providing a muscular 700Nm of torque. For ultimate choice, this powertrain is also available in D200 and D250 variants, also featuring MHEV technology for superior responses and enhanced efficiency.
Defender features Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, which is the product of years of development. The advanced set-up provides enhanced on-road performance and balance, as well as responsive and unstoppable off-road capability. The intelligent torque distribution system optimises the driveline for traction, on-road dynamics and driveline efficiency, resulting in improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
Adaptive Dynamics is available with Electronic Air Suspension, allowing clients to fine-tune the driving characteristics. The system’s adaptive dampers monitor body movements up to 500 times per second and respond almost instantaneously to optimise control and comfort.
Innovative technology
The latest Electronic Vehicle Architecture, dubbed EVA 2.0, underpins its digital capability, supporting Software Over The Air (SOTA) updates that ensure Defender gets better with age, and enabling its fast and intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system. It is available with a choice of 10-inch and 11.4-inch touchscreen displays.
The intuitive system requires fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while the always-on design guarantees almost instant responses. Its Bluetooth technology can connect to two smartphones simultaneously while Wireless Device Charging with a signal booster is available for enhanced convenience and call quality.
Defender features the global location platform, what3words, giving accurate and precise navigation in the most remote environments. British technology company what3words has divided the globe into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique, easy-to-remember three-word address.
EVA 2.0 supports the next generation of driver assistance and client convenience systems. In total, 85 individual ECUs work in harmony to turn the Defender into an all-terrain super-computer capable of handling 21,000 network messages at any one time – up from 13,000.
Personalised for owner‘s world
The model range comprises Defender S, Defender X-Dynamic SE, Defender X-Dynamic HSE and Defender X, with Defender V8 representing the performance pinnacle of the line-up. Clients can choose from a range of interior colour schemes with scope for personalisation, available by mixing these with different interior finish options.
Clients can further personalise their vehicle with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements, with Black Pack additions available for Explorer and Adventure Packs.
Defender is also available with the widest choice of individual accessories ever assembled for a Land Rover, with everything from a Remote Control Electric Winch, Rooftop Tent and Inflatable Waterproof Awning, to more conventional tow bar systems and roof racks.
