The new generation Land Rover Defender started its journey in the canyons of Kazakhstan and made its grand entry at the IAA Frankfurt descending a 42 degree incline on to the stage. The new Defender is claimed to be the most capable 4×4 made by Land Rover. The car integrates the charm of the classic Land Rover with the technology and finesse of 21st Century to offer a car which can go further, climb higher and wade deeper than before.
As per Felix Bräutigam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, “New Defender will be available in 128 global markets and meets or exceeds the toughest emissions and safety requirements in the world. Combining advanced technology and durable mechanical underpinnings we have delivered the toughness and character you can only find in a Defender. With four personalities to choose from, two body styles and a comprehensive range of options and accessories, customers will be able to personalise Defender to make their ultimate 4×4 companion – whatever their lifestyle.”
The car is offered in two models, the 2 door five/ six seater 90 and the five door six/ seven seater the 110. Both these models are based on the D7x architecture which offers an Aluminium monocoque which is three times more rigid that any body on ladder frame Land Rover offered till date. The 90 and 110 are offered in five trim levels S, SE, HSE, First Edition and Defender X. trims are further offered with four accessory packs namely, Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban.
Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover, said, “The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it. This is a new Defender for a new age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment.”
The Defender is offered with a variety of propulsion including petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid to meet the various emission criteria as well as the aspirations of different customers. It has fully independent air or coil sprung suspension, permanent four-wheel drive and a twin-speed automatic gearbox to give its go anywhere characteristics. The car is capable of towing 3720 kg while it is certified to take 300 kg of load on the roof. It is the first Land Rover to feature Configurable Terrain Response, which allows drivers to fine-tune a range of settings to suit the conditions more precisely than ever before. The Defender has been provided with a new Wade programme which optimises the vehicle for fording up to 900mm – giving customers even more confidence when tackling flooded roads and tracks.
The Defender is not all go but has been provided with several technologies for satisfy a 21st century explorer. Installed in the vehicle is a state-of-the-art new Pivi Pro infotainment system. This next-generation touchscreen is more intuitive and user-friendly. It requires fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while its always-on design guarantees almost instant responses. Also installed is the Software-Over-The-Air technology, with 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates. This ensures Defender customers always benefit from the latest software, wherever they are in the world.
Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “We’ve embraced Defender’s stunning capability and minimalistic, functional interior to reinvent the icon for the 21st century. New Defender gives us the licence to do things differently, to push the boundaries and do the unthinkable, without ever losing the character and authenticity of the original. From the start we had an absolute obsession with functionality beneath the skin, from choosing the right materials through to state of the art connectivity. The result is not only the most capable Land Rover ever made, but also a truly comfortable, modern vehicle that people will love to drive.”
The Land Rover has been associated with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society since 1954. Its not surprising hence that Land Rover has offered the Defender for the organisation’s Disaster Response vehicle assessment programme.
The Transport Journal 