OCTOBER 2019 | CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK 73
But Defender hasn’t entirely abandoned its utilitarian roots: a
pistol-grip gearshifter like the Range Rover Sport’s is located in a raised
position on the instrument panel alongside rotary climate-control dials. As
standard, it frees space for a wide centre console with generous storage. But
it also allows the option of a third ‘jump’ seat in the front row like Series I, II
and III Land Rovers. In ‘jump’ spec, a Defender can seat six (a 110 is available
with five-, six- or seven-seat layouts).
While there are some luxurious touches including leather seats,
there are more rugged elements too. ‘We’ve stripped back the interior by
exposing structural elements of the body, with minimalist door panels
exposing the painted metal door structure,’ elaborates McGovern. ‘This
pared-back approach extends to visible fixings throughout the interior,
durable rubberised flooring [UK cars get carpet inserts, easily removed]
and the exposed magnesium cross-car beam that’s usually hidden by the
dashboard in other models but creates extra storage here. Everything we’ve
done has a purpose behind it.’
4
There are petrols, hybrids, plug-ins too
The last Defender was available only with a four-cylinder Ford tur-
bodiesel engine. It produced 120bhp and took over 15 seconds to accelerate
the old workhorse from zero to 62mph.
The Defender still does diesels, but now there are petrols and – more
intriguingly – hybrids and plug-ins too. The two diesels available at launch
are the twin-turbocharged D200 and D240, both with 317lb ft. The D200
is good for 197bhp and in the 90 can reach 62mph in 10.3 seconds, and
returns up to 32mpg and 230g/km CO2 to WLTP standards. The 237bhp
D240 is officially no less efficient, but can crack the 0-62mph benchmark
in 9.0 seconds. Petrols? From launch you can choose from the P300 turbo-
charged four-cylinder (296bhp, 8.1sec, 255g/km, 25.1mpg), or the P400 mild
hybrid. This uses JLR’s new straight-six turbocharged engine and a 48-volt
mild-hybrid system (a belt-integrated starter and a small lithium-ion
battery to capture energy during braking and deceleration). It boasts a
punchy 395bhp and 406lb ft, can dust the 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, and
promises 25.6mpg with 251g/km CO2.
If you’re about to pull your jaw from the floor after that news, save it: a
plug-in hybrid good for pure electric running arrives next year. It’s presum-
ably the same 2.0-litre petrol-electric drivetrain as the Range Rover P400e,
which matches the P400 on power, smashes it on torque with 472lb ft and
will, we’d estimate, drop C02 below 70g/km.
All engines are paired with a ZF eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive.
5
You’re gonna need a bigger chequebook
In 2015, a no-frills Defender 90 truck cab was around £20k plus
VAT. The new Defender 110 goes on sale first at £45,240 (inc VAT), quickly
followed by the 90 (around £40k). But both models will be offered in Com-
mercial versions from around £35k plus VAT. Not as bad as some feared,
and the new model is larger, safer, faster and far more generously equipped,
but it does leave the basic £20k market to pick-ups including the Mitsubishi
L200 and Ford Ranger. Defender pricing is more competitive when it comes
to more comparable SUV rivals: a three-door Toyota Land Cruiser starts
from £34,745, a Jeep Wrangler from £44,955. How the rest of the range pans
out is yet to be confirmed. Will a 130 wheelbase model return? An insider’s
mention of ‘90 and 110 at launch’ suggests it will.
We do know there are five trims: S, SE, HSE, First Edition (available for
one year) and range-topping Defender X, plus four accessory packs: Explor-
er (includes raised air intake, 26kg roof rack, exterior side-mounted gear
carrier); Adventure (6.5-litre pressurised water reservoir, boot-mounted air
compressor, side-mounted gear carrier); Country (wheelarch protection,
rear scuff plate, portable rinse system, full-height loadspace partition). The
Urban Pack doesn’t seem to have much – rear scuff plate, spare wheel cover,
metal pedals – but it allows you to spec the 22-inch alloys. ⊲
New Defender