The New 2020 Land Rover Defender: The Rebirth Of A Legend

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 21:10

“I'll be back” - this cult phrase associated with the character of Arnold Schwarznegger from the sci-fi film “Terminator” fits perfectly with the Defender model's return to the automotive market. The Jaguar-Land-Rover group, acquired by the Indian Tata Motors in 2008, made the preview of the sixth generation of their legendary Land Rover Defender model, expected since 2011, at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year.

The new Land Rover Defender: the saga continues

Manufacturing of the latest generation Land Rover, the iconic all-terrain vehicle, was suspended in January 2016. The British carmaker has repeatedly declared its intention to shut down the “veteran” production line. The latter was killed by European anti-pollution standards Euro 6 and US safety regulations of 1998. It was believed that he would be "declared dead" in 2015, but the request had extended his life until January 2016. The Defender said goodbye after 67 years of production and 2 million 4 × 4s made.

Automotive Terminator will be available in 128 markets

It brilliantly complies with the world's most stringent environmental and safety standards. The model line includes the Defender, S, SE, HE, First Edition and the Defender X trims at the top of the range.

Silhouette very well placed between tradition and modernity

Cubic shapes, small windows, straight windshield, round headlights designed by LED lighting at the heart of square optics, hood domed in the middle and punctuated with metal plates: without a doubt, the new Defender has kept its authenticity. of its predecessors, while taking the stylistics and parameters of the old version to a higher technological level.

It represents an impressive modularity and possibilities of customization according to personal preferences and use unheard of for the brand. Four accessory packs will be available: Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban which each give a unique look to the Defender with a variety of dedicated equipment. The exclusive First Edition version has unique specifications and will be available during the first year of production.

A real revolution inside

It was predictable, because the interior of the old Defender had remained rustic compared to current car production.

The new Defender is not stuck in the past

New trends have emerged for both the dashboard and the multimedia system. Evidenced by its digital instrumentation on a 12.3-inch diagonal panel with a 10-inch touch screen. The new Defender won't leave its passengers isolated from the rest of the world. Its unique electrical design has a 3 Gbit / s Ethernet connection, permanent 4G.

Land Rover Defender offers several interior configurations

At the front of the "90", you can choose between a classic architecture with two independent seats or a three-seater bench with a folding central backrest. You can also opt or not for a console separating the seats. Thus the Land Rover Defender 90 is available in 5 or 6 seats. The Land Rover Defender 110 leaves, meanwhile, the choice between 5, 6 or 7 places, but in the latter case, the mark speaks rather of "5 + 2".

No thick carpet on the floor, but a washable cover. As for the leather and precious wood on board, they were used sparingly. Functional and versatile, the new Land Rover Defender is still in the range poles apart from the luxury Range Rover.

A fully aluminum chassis called D7x (x for extreme)

It will certainly make this Land much more comfortable on asphalt than its predecessors. Despite this new structure, the weight would still exceed 2 tons … a mass which requires this new Defender to be equipped with a maximum of electronic aids to be comfortable off the bitumen and do justice to its reputation.

Equipped with spring-loaded shocks, the Defender can be equipped with adaptive air suspension for those who wish to exploit its potential. Because it allows in particular to greatly vary the ride height and thus reduce consumption on the motorway.

Delivered in the spring of 2020, the Defender “2.0” will house several engines under its hood: a 48V 400 hp mild hybrid six-cylinder and a 300 hp four-cylinder on the gasoline side. While two diesel 200 and 240 hp will also be in the game. A plug-in hybrid (the batteries will be placed in the trunk) will arrive later in the course of next year.

And for adventurers to rest assured, the new vehicle has not become an SUV model. He remains faithful to his vocation as a franchisor. Evidenced by its permanent all-wheel drive, its dual-range transfer case and its active locking center and rear differentials.

The maximum load is 900 kg and the towing capacity is 3,500 kg

The Defender 90 will arrive later in the winter of 2020, but we already know its base price: € 49,900. The price which amounts to 96,100 € on the exclusive X finish. The transformation of the Defender seems successful on paper.

Now, it will be necessary to conquer an audience that once appreciated the simplicity and robustness of English. Packed with electronics, more refined than before and for at least € 50,000, the new Defender is already available to order. We are impatiently awaiting his first mud baths.