the elephant we found snacking on a tree near a river-
bed. Most of the warning lights were extinguished by a
VZ]YR_RaNaDN`UR½bVQ]\bRQS\ZaUR_RR_c\V_ on a particularly steep decline, but Land Rover promises NORaaR_RNYV[TPN]dVYY¼eaUR]\OYRZ
Inside and out, the Defender comes loaded with tech.
A bevy of cameras provides views tailored for on-road,
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feed for the rearview mirror, and the ultrasonic sensors
on the bottom of the side mirrors can measure water
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tecture is new to the brand and can update over the
air. Two separate modems ensure that software can be
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½\dV[Ta\DV3VP[[RPaRQQRcVPR The electrical overhaul includes a new infotainment faRZ_b[[V[T\[/YNPX/R__fμ>;E]YNa-
form, and it appears to deliver on the prom-
ise of quicker responses and a more stream-
lined path to its many features. Land Rover
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not at all like what we took to calling “privy
]\³ N ZN[RbcR_aUNaR[aNVY UN[TV[T \ß aUR 1RSR[QR_μ RNa\dU\Xa\ ]R_SRPaN squatting posture when faced with a non- negotiable call to action in the great out- doors. At least it gave us a reason to use the U\cRYdRμQORR[SR_fV[T[\b_\S_NPX
Which reminds us: Our cars also had the
$ 780 fold-down ladder to make reaching
the roof a cinch; it is available on models
equipped with the $ 4800 Explorer pack,
The Defender looked
the part in press-
launch safari spec with
its optional bolt-ons
and steel wheels, but
Land Rover will happily
build versions for the
concrete jungle, too.which includes, among other things, the aforementioned
roof rack, a waterproof lockable box hanging on the right
side, and an intake snorkel on the A-pillar.
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has the opposite problem; its languid response on six-cylin-
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system allows for some modest pitching and catching, but
even in its most reduced setting, it quickly quells the serious
`VQRdNf`NPaV\[`\ZRaVZR`[RRQRQdUVYR\ß_\NQV[T
While Defender loyalists might equate discomfort with
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will likely delight someone who never leaves
aUR]NcRZR[aAUNaμ`Z\`aQ_VcR_`AURfμYYObf
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priced Land Rover Discovery as well as what-
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because it encourages the fantasy of a faraway
trek. That strikes us as a successful balancing
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