2019-10-01_CAR_UK

70 CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2019

New Defender

(^2)
It still looks like a Defender
There’s been no shortage of hand-wringing over the looks of the
Defender, a vehicle that design boss Gerry McGovern describes as ‘the
anchor of our entire brand’. The production car strikes a balance some-
where between a toned-down version of the DC100 concept from 2011 and
a significantly updated last-generation Defender. It is a much larger car
(see below), though fundamentally it remains a Defender, with its abrupt
two-box profile, squared-off wheelarches, roof like a flat cap, Alpine lights
(the see-through bit in the side of the roof) and barrelled body sides. Much
bigger wheels, though: the last Defender rode on 16-inch alloys, the new
one starts with incredibly cool 18-inch gloss-white steel rims, rising to
22-inch five-spoke alloys.
McGovern describes the proportions as ‘optimised for both supreme
all-terrain capability and aesthetic balance’, with a modern interpretation
of the instantly recognisable silhouette, distinctively short overhangs and
high sill. ‘We worked incredibly closely with engineering from the outset,
probably more than on any previous programme, because we needed to
develop the most capable Land Rover ever produced. That imposed a set
of core requirements, like ultra-short front and rear overhangs. They’re
vital to delivering the approach and departure angles a Defender needs, but
contribute a modern look too. We had to hit our 900mm wading-depth
target, so Defender features an inset bonnet to avoid a shutline along the
top of the fender and an air intake in the side of the front fender that would
deliver against both design and engineering requirements.’
McGovern is keen to stress there’s more to the appearance than pure
functionality. ‘At first glance the design appears almost elemental, but the
surfacing is actually highly sophisticated: look how the front fenders are
sculptured and blend in to the upper body side,’ he points out.
The guillotined rear end also features the side-opening rear door and
spare wheel that are such staples of Defender design, but I spy shades of
the first BMW Mini Clubman here, especially in longer-wheelbase 110
guise. The 110’s proportions also echo the previous Discovery. Given the
visual similarity, together with Defender’s improved on-road manners and
optional seven seats, it’d be no surprise to see it cannibalise Discovery sales.
The Defender’s upright design proved a challenge in an era where mpg
and CO2 is so high on the agenda. ‘If you sat down to design a very aerody-
namic SUV with a clean sheet of paper, you wouldn’t draw a Defender. Its
upright proportions and tall body meant we had to work hard to achieve
the level of aerodynamic performance and efficiency we wanted,’ explains
McGovern. ‘Our solution was an F1-style flat underbody – a first for a Land
Rover vehicle. The body side also gently tapers all the way to the rear corner.
It helped achieve a drag coefficient of 0.38 – a huge improvement over the
previous 0.62Cd. Everything we’ve done reinforces the new Defender as a
modern, relevant vehicle while paying respect to its rich heritage.’

3

You won’t feel like you’re driving a black cab

If you’re used to an old Defender, the space and friendliness of the

new, much larger Defender 110 cabin will be a revelation: there’s ample

elbow room, towering headroom, and the pedals are centred. I’m 6ft 1in and

I can move the driver’s seat so far back that I can’t properly touch the brake

– even then, I can still comfortably sit behind myself. There’s 1075 litres of

load space behind the second row, up to 2380 litres with them folded, and

handy storage all over: large glovebox, door pockets to make marsupials

jealous, and even the shelf-like dash, good for 6.9 litres of things.

There’s new technology too: a central 10-inch touchscreen with new Pivi

Pro software said to be ‘always on’ – thanks to a built-in back-up battery.

It requires an average of 50 per cent fewer steps between functions, says

Land Rover, and gets over-the-air software updates. There’s also a 12.3in

digital instrument binnacle, plus wireless charging, optional wi-fi hot-

spot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. You can check the fuel level on an

app, monitor the speed limit via head-up display, and choose from three

different Meridian stereos. The lads at the cattle auction will either be

speechless... or rib you mercilessly. ⊲

Retractable

canvas roof is

an option

Defender is now much more spacious, the

obvious downside being it’s much larger.

Overall, the 90 comes in at 4323mm long

(4583mm with spare wheel), 1996mm wide

(no mirrors) and at least 1969mm high,

depending on suspension. Land Rover

quotes a four-cylinder diesel from 2065kg.

The wheelbase is 2587mm (102in). The new

110 is 4758mm long (5018mm with spare),

and its 3022mm (119in) wheelbase is 99mm

longer than a new Disco’s. The previous

Defender was 3881m long (4040mm

with spare), plus 1790mm wide/2032mm

high, with a 2360mm (93in) wheelbase. It

weighed 1902kg as a five-seater.

DEFENDER EXTENDER

4583mm

1969mm 1967mm 2032mm

2587mm 3022mm 2360mm

5018mm 4040mm