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Land Rover Defender Looks Retrotastic With Rock Dust Wheels By Heritage Customs

The 20-inch forged alloy wheels look like oversized steelies but they are made of high quality aluminum

Heritage Customs has a long list of available modifications for the Land Rover Defender but it’s their Rock Dust wheels that caught our attention lately.

The design of the forged alloy rims is inspired by the original Land Rover steelies, although with a diameter of 20 inches they are significantly larger, filling up the wheel arches of the new-gen Defender. The Rock Dust wheels are available in gloss white, gloss black, or gunmetal finish. All of them feature the classic multi-hole design with the Dutch tuner’s emblem in the center caps and “Heritage Customs, Valiance, 20-Inch Forged” lettering.

The Rock Dust wheels have already been fitted on a number of Defenders from the rich Heritage Customs inventory. Those include the 90 and the 110 bodystyle variations, combined with different kinds of exterior accents and interior finishes.

The pictured Defender 110 D250 with the khaki copper paint recently and gunmetal wheels sold for €122,900 (equal to $130,905 at current exchange rates), while the Pangea Green example with white wheels sold for €90,475 ($96,342). The short-wheelbase Defender 90 D200 Sport Commercial is the cheapest option, with two examples currently listed for €82,500 ($87,846) and €87,900 ($94,235) featuring the same Rock Dust wheels. Of course, you can spec the retro shoes in a chopped-up Land Rover Defender Valiance Convertible by the Dutch tuner.

If you already have a Defender, the cost of each wheel is €895 ($953) without the tire, which translates to €3,580 ($3,811) for a set of four. Interestingly, simpler wheel designs have started getting into fashion again, like the 22-inch disc wheels offered as an option in the facelifted Rolls-Royce Phantom. Are you a fan of this trend, or would you prefer a sportier multi-spoke design?

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Article Credits: Thanos Pappas
Full Articles: https://www.carscoops.com/2022/12/land-rover-defender-looks-retrotastic-with-rock-dust-wheels-by-heritage-customs/



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Highly-Modified Land Rover Defender 90 Owned by Jenson Button Is Up for Auction

Jenson Button has had a stellar Formula 1 career, having been crowned World Champion in 2019. His fans and the general public are used to seeing him driving racing cars, but in his day-to-day life, Button also drives regular cars, like the Land Rover Defender you see here.

Well, this particular Defender is not actually so “regular,” as it features a slew of modifications that make it strongest and more capable than your ordinary Land Rover. Some of the most notable upgrades include a V8 powertrain, uprated suspension, and a revised interior.

This bespoke example started life as a 1988 Land Rover 90, so it precedes the name “Defender,” which only became official in 1990. According to Collecting Cars, which currently has the vehicle up for sale, the Land Rover received an LS3 V8 upgrade in 2015 and a plethora of other improvements around the same time, most of them performed by Urban Automotive, self-described as “bespoke modifiers of luxury automotive brands.”

The rugged, boxy vehicle is now powered by a 6.2-liter Chevrolet Corvette LS3 V8 crate engine producing 430 hp (436 ps) at 5,900 rpm and 425 lb-ft (576 Nm) of torque at 4,600 rpm. Power is sent back to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

It rides on 18-inch by 9-inch Coastline Defender alloy wheels wrapped in 285/60R18 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires, which make it look wider without spacers. It also enjoys uprated suspension and brakes.

The interior also benefitted from a series of improvements and is now boasting Recaro bucket seats, folding seats in the back, a Puma-style Defender dashboard, air conditioning, electric windows, a more powerful sound system, and more.

The 1988 Land Rover 90 has received a new coat of Velocity Blue paint, with gloss black accents on the roof, the grille, wing vents, and side protection runners.

Seeing the upgrades this pickup truck has received, it’s no wonder it piqued Jenson Button’s attention, who is said to have owned the vehicle for around three years, though we don’t know the exact period.

This highly-modified Defender is up for auction on Collecting Cars and is offered with 4,085 miles (6,574 km) on the clock, which seems to be the mileage registered since the engine swap.

Article Credits: Ancuta Iosub
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/highly-modified-land-rover-defender-90-owned-by-jenson-button-is-up-for-auction-206607.html



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Range Rover Fights Land Rover Defender, Are Six Off-Road Challenges Enough?

Carwow’s Mat Watson and his colleague Nick have an L460 Range Rover and L663 Defender at their disposal, so what else could they do than contest each other over the harshest terrain they can find?

Mat and the carwow team are well known for their entertaining videos that not only handle the latest automotive apparitions but also race them in head-to-head drags, track battles, and impromptu off-road competitions. The newest YT feature is of the latter variety, and they are again using the safe environment of that dusty proving grounds to try and find out who is better – Mat or Nick.

Actually, they are there to put the latest and (arguably) greatest L460 fifth-generation Range Rover flagship through its paces against the reinvented L663 land Rover Defender. There are six off-road challenges, but first, let us talk a little bit about the specifications. So, Mat is rooting for and driving the posh Range Rover equipped with BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.

The mill is good for 523 horsepower (530 ps) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of twisting torque, but the comfy SUV is also a heavy and expensive beast. As it turns out, it is not as burdensome as the Defender packing the JLR-born 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which is also a tad less powerful (525 ps/518 hp and 625 Nm/461 lb-ft), but then also ‘cheaper.’

By the way, I am not going to spoil the fun of watching all the six off-road challenges (which include about everything, from up and downhill ‘drags’ to maneuverability trials) but I am going to say that – just like Mat and Nick, one needs to choose sides and select a favorite, in the end. Also, never mind the surprise brought by the tallied results, we can all agree that the Land Rover expert judge might have been a little (more than) biased…

Article Credits: Aurel Niculescu
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/range-rover-fights-land-rover-defender-are-six-off-road-challenges-enough-205894.html#





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The Arctic Trucks AT35 Is A Land Rover Defender With Even More Off-Road Capability

Arctic Trucks decided the Land Rover Defender wasn’t good enough off-road, so they gave us possibly the most capable new Defender on Earth

Several legendary nameplates have put off-road capability at the forefront of their purpose, models like the Jeep Wrangler or Mercedes G-Class. Of course, Land Rover is also one of the most well-known brands for featuring impressive off-road capability with equally notable doses of luxury and comfort. However, in the automotive world, “impressive” is rarely enough for everyone. So, Arctic Trucks, the company known for fitting massive tires, flared fenders, and generally cranking the off-road potential of already quite capable vehicles up to 11, has gotten its hands on the new Land Rover Defender and made it even more of a wilderness conquerer.

The Land Rover Defender Was Already Insane Off-Road, Then Came The AT35 Pack

The most notable modification is the set of massive tires. Gone are the comfortable all-seasons and in their place are 35-inch (315/60/R20) tires wrapped around 20-inch forged wheels. The tires look like they could get the Defender over anything in their way with the incredibly chunky tread and massive side walls. The latter was certainly a good idea as the last thing you would need on the trail is to ding or to bend one of the wheels that look like they could be from an ultra-high-end aftermarket brand and cost thousands each.

A lift kit has been fitted as well, but instead of altering the suspension itself, Arctic Trucks fitted spacers to the front and rear so the stock adaptive suspension systems could remain. Since the Defender AT35 will more than likely spend much of its time outside and exposed to the elements, the seams have been treated with an anti-corrosion coating. Since fatter tires would stick out from the body and look cheap, Arctic Trucks’ trademark fender flares have been installed, but this time they are much boxier and more geometric than we are used to. Normally, the wider fenders are curvaceous, but since the defender is about as boxy as a car can get, the black-painted angular flares are much more fitting. Other visual changes consist of Arctic Truck’s signature graphics, black mudguards, an electric towbar, and a winch.

The Arctic Trucks Land Rover Defender Has Impressive Performance Specs

The Defender’s standard ground clearance with the more conventional spring suspension setup is about nine inches (228 millimeters), and with the AT35 package, that figure is boosted to 10.6 inches (270 millimeters). However, if the air suspension system happens to be equipped, the ground clearance goes from 11.4 inches (290 millimeters) to 14.1 inches (360 millimeters) with the suspension in the highest setting. The entry and departure angles are all several degrees higher to allow you to drive over even wider gullies, however, the turning radius has suffered. The stock car has a 21.3-foot (6.5-meter) turning radius, and the AT35 takes up 24.6 feet (7.5 meters).

Unfortunately, none of the modifications reach as far as the engine, and the only version of the defender that the AT35 package is available for is the P400 model with a 3.0-liter straight-six hybrid capable of 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Possibly because the massive tires would be too hard on the P300 model’s 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder, and the 518 horsepower-capable 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 would be too thirsty and unruly. While Arctic Trucks did not specify how much the alterations to the Defender cost (so presumably a shocking price tag is attached) it is for sale from the Russian division of Arctic Trucks.

Article Credits: Josh Conturo
Full Articles: https://www.topspeed.com/the-arctic-trucks-at35-is-a-land-rover-defender-with-even-more-off-road-capability/



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What Makes The Old So Desirable?

The Land Rover Defender has roamed the roads and dirt roads of the world for decades. From the insane African heat to the breaking cold of Iceland. It is a vehicle that has provided unforgettable experiences to countless people thanks to its amazing and versatile platform. However, off-road isn’t the only place the Defender shines. Its classic looks have made it an icon that is at home both in the most expensive neighborhoods or in the middle of a farm. Very few vehicles have managed to achieve this. These include the Mercedes G-Wagon and the Jeep Wrangler. Let’s remember the British legend by going over what made it so good and why people all over the world from cities to farms want one.

The Defender Wasn’t Unreliable

Many people say Land Rovers are unreliable and while many of them are, the older iterations of the Defender weren’t. They did get unreliable in later years when the brand switched to Ford powertrains; however, up until the Td5 model, this was a reliable car. We would go as far as saying the 200tdi and 300tdi models are some of the most reliable 4x4s out there. They are insanely simple; therefore, there are very few things that can go wrong with them.

It Was a Great Off-Roader

The first reason why the Defender is so good off-road is its underpinnings. Land Rover equipped this vehicle with solid axles both front and rear, coil-sprung suspension, and suspension geometry that gave it insanely good wheel articulation. When this was paired with the Defender’s relatively lightweight it made up for one of the best off-roaders on the market. Especially once owners added a few upgrades like diff locks and better tires. Furthermore, it is one of the most versatile SUVs available as literally every single component and mounting point can just be unbolted. Even the shock mounts can be changed over for shorter or longer and tougher ones.

It Offered Great Versatility Inside The Cabin, Too

Aside from a troop carrier or normal passenger configurations, the Defender was also sold as a pickup truck; therefore, it came with good payload numbers. This enabled workers, farmers, and travelers to fill up their vehicles with equipment or camping gear. Furthermore, the longer wheelbase variants like the 110 had ample space inside due to the tall cabin. This increased the storage capacity even more while also being able to function as a great outback tour vehicle for companies. The main reason why the most common cars on safari tours are Defenders and 70 Series Land Cruisers is that in many cases they can fit up to 10 people inside. This is due to the troop-carrier configuration with side-mounted seats.

There Are Endless Upgrades On The Market

The Defender is one of the vehicles with the largest aftermarket support. These trucks can be turned into anything you want them to be. From city cruisers to hard-core off-roaders and everything in between. You can find heavy-duty axles, suspension upgrades, interior upgrades, and other accessories that will make the Defender the perfect tool for the job you want it to do. Aside from the modifications, there are also countless companies that take these vehicles and modernize them by upgrading the engine, transmission, suspension components, and interiors. In many cases, these machines cost hundreds of thousands but the craftmanship and result are worth every penny.

The Defender Is A Feeling

This one is true for some vehicles – mostly Italian. You get in them and despite their many flaws they just make you smile. There certainly are more comfortable, reliable, and powerful vehicles out there, but you would not want to be in any of them. This is exactly the case with the Defender. Anyone who owns one will tell you that being squashed in the driver’s seat with your arm hanging out the window wallowing down a bumpy lane listening to that old diesel idling away is about as happy as one can be. We aren’t sure why this is the case with this vehicle, it might be the unique design, the way you sit upright staring down at that gorgeous bonnet, or just the sense of camaraderie you get by driving a Land Rover. In most cases, Land Rover owners are willing to chat with and help other Land Rover owners more than most other car groups.

Which Defender Model We Would Go for

Over the years, there have been countless off Defender variants with different engines, wheelbase options, and specs. However, in our opinion, the best compromise between reliability and usability is the Td5 in 110 or 90 forms. The 90 is small and nimble while the 110 can carry a lot of gear and people. The Td5 was never sold in America but is now approaching 25 years of age so it can be imported. For now, the only options available across the pond are the V-8s or older 300 TDI and 200 TDI models that have been imported. The V-8s are nice and can be reliable if taken care of, but are nowhere near as durable as the older diesels. The diesel models are most commonly found in remote areas. Keep in mind that if you get a diesel in the U.S., you will have some issues finding parts for them. Although, there are some available in Canada.

Final Thoughts

So, the Defender isn’t famous just because of its looks. It has served as an important truck in the development and exploration of our world and will certainly be loved and remembered forever. It is by no means perfect, but there is something about it, that fizz car guys talk about. Once you fall in love with it, you will spend countless hours (and money) making it better and keeping it on the road because frankly, it makes you smile. If you are planning on getting one, we would highly recommend you do so. It is a vehicle that oozes character and capabilities.

Article Credits: Theodoros Georgiou
Full Articles: https://www.topspeed.com/what-makes-the-old-land-rover-defender-so-desirable/