Top of the 4x4 heap for almost 60 years, the Land Rover Defender has a new version for 2007 – but only true fans of the marque would spot its changes from the outside, a suitably aggressive ‘power bulge’ in the bonnet and a new Defender sticker on the tail end.
However, it is on the inside that more than two years of work by the backroom boys at Solihull really shows. Gone are the vintage ventilation system and utilitarian dashboard.In come heated seats, air conditioning, a modern fascia and an audio system with tweeters.
Dig even deeper and the real extent of this ‘almost all new’ vehicle becomes apparent.
It might only come with a “choice” of one engine, but it’s a good one. The already proven 2.4 diesel engine from the Transit (well, Ford do own Land Rover), mated to an all-new gearbox which has what anyone who has driven a Defender on road at more than 60mph will appreciate – a sixth gear.
Now you can travel along the motorway and talk with your passengers without having to raise your voice.
The engine has been adapted to suit the Defender’s ‘rigorous duty cycles’ (often being at a 45 degree angle or wading waist deep through muddy streams) and the new gearbox has greater off-road control and on-road refinement.
Wilderness
But all these are , just the fringe benefits, for it is in the wilderness that the Defender won its title of King of the off-roaders. And this latest version looks set to keep the crown.
Half a day putting a ‘standard’ 110 station wagon around Land Rover’s mind-blowing off-road course at Eastnor castle, in Herefordshire, saw me, not only fording 4ft-deep streams, but then driving up them for a quarter of a mile, complete with bonnet-level bow wave.
Not only that, but the 110 boasted top of the range comforts like leather heated seats, air-con, heated screen and a long list of other options.Our go-anywhere limo was then up and down the steepest of slopes that were so muddy you expected to find hippos wallowing at the bottom of every drop.
The Defender is still the utility Land Rover, although now it comes with enough creature comforts to perhaps win over those who have previously driven its stablemates – the Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.
While it may be modern, the new Defender will still be sold by the inch, with the familiar 90, 110 and 130ins versions available in a number of different body styles which include pick-up, canvas-top or rugged seven-seat people carrier.
With governments, big global corporations and emergency and rescue services around the world already queuing up to order the new Defender, the King looks set to rule off-road for many years to come.
What do you think? Have your say.
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