CategoriesNews

Off-Road-Ready 1995 Defender 130 Is a France Import, Hides a Nasty V8 Secret

While Land Rover is hard at work trying to make the reinvented L663 Defender a common sight in the United States, its L316 predecessor is not exactly the perfect material for the American pickup truck lifestyle.

Alas, there is one unit – imported from France and clear of pesky U.S. Customs intrusion – that may seek to change that. Dressed in Army Green over a black leather interior and with beefy looks that seem to make it ready for anything (including an unintentional off-road roll-over – hence the protruding roll cage!), this Defender 130 pickup truck is now more American than its British parent ever imagined.

Proudly tucked in the inventory of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Garage Kept Motors, it now has an LS swap on board – a nasty little V8 secret that beats under the hood with the blunt force of a 2015 Chevy Camaro SS 6.2-liter V8 engine. The paintjob is also unique according to the description, and we can only say the semi-matte green shade bodes extremely well for the black details seen on a lot of exterior parts (including the bedliner).

The Landy is just as serious inside, where it is all black vinyl leather business – complete with a few hints that something is amiss. Those include the aftermarket instrument cluster with the odometer indicating a mere 40 miles (64 km) – though we can all bet those are of the nasty TMU (total mileage unknown) variety. Plus, there is also an aftermarket center console with a modern shift lever for the automatic transmission, the black roll bar system, and whatnot.

As for the rest of the highlights, those certainly include the beefy all-terrain tires, 6.2-liter ‘LS’ V8 connected to a custom exhaust system with MagnaFlow muffler, and a functional Lo and Hi 4×4 range selector, among others. And last, but not least, comes the asking price – the dealership wants no less than $119,900 to be parted with this rare whip!

Article Credit: Aurel Niculescu
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/off-road-ready-1995-defender-130-is-a-france-import-hides-a-nasty-v8-secret-194220.html#




CategoriesNews

Land Rover Defender 2023- the full guide

Land Rover Defender 2023 is a top-notch off-road SUV with a very high-performance rating among car experts. When it comes to SUVs, few cars can match the Land Rover Defender. The 2023 model is remarkably built to give drivers optimum comfort while preserving its reputation in quality performance. From its engine to the vehicle’s exterior oozes quality and gives you a boost in confidence.
As you will find in this article, the Land Rover Defender 2023 can be dependable and the best deal on the market. Read on to find out more.

About Land Rover Defender 2023

The Land Rover Defender has topped many charts with previous models for the best SUV of the year. A reputation they seek to maintain with their latest release. A few changes were made to revitalize your Land Rover experience with new infotainment updates and other cool interior features.
When comparing the Land Rover Defender to other SUV dynamics on pavement, it comes out top. The Defender also leads the pack regarding body control and compliant suspension.

Where previous models fail to establish a firm grip on the top spot, this model compensates adequately. It comes with a huge 11.4-inch touchscreen, among other new additions. With maximum comfort, you can carry 5 passengers at a time. When it comes to the exterior, the Defender is really hot and enticing. you will get to see why as you read on.

The only fault in the Land Rover Defender 2023 model is the fuel economy, which can be attributed to its V8 engine capacity. Other than that, the Defender is way ahead of the rest.

Performance and Economy


The Land Rover Defender 2023 model comes with three different engines distinguished with an alphanumeric code. The first is P300, and the second is P400, then the last is P525. These three engine types work with an eight-speed automatic transmission to the four wheels.

The P300 is a 2-liter four-turbo engine of 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. The four-door Defender with a P300 engine is said to perform at 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is quite an impressive claim for its size. When it comes to fuel economy, the most efficient is the two-door Defender P300 which is said to do 18/21 mpg for city/highway.
For the P400, it adds a supercharger and a turbo to a 3-liter six-in-line engine of 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. While they claim to have a 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds, experts tested, and it took 6.5 seconds. But its fuel efficiency was almost similar to that of the P300 at 17/22 mpg for city/highway.

The P525 is the most powerful option of the Land Rover Defender 2023, with its supercharged V-8 engine. Its output is recorded at 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft, and it boasts of a 0-60 mph in 4,9 seconds. Its fuel economy is quite low at 14/19 mpg for a four-door Defender.

Off-road


When it comes to off-road, the Defender is quite on the average compared to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. The Ford and Jeep have a lower starting price, offer a two-door body style, and a cool additional feature of removable doors and roofs.
Though the Defender cannot match the G-Wagon in class and status, it does provide most of the luxury for half the price. While the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is miles ahead of the rest in terms of a heady blend of luxury and performance. But, it is very expensive, sitting at $130,000.
The Lexus GX is the direct competition of the Defender. It has a good off-road performance but lacks in its driving performance.

Exterior


The Land Rover Defender 2023 was stretched by 13.4 inches to accommodate occupants. Most of the exterior was left unchanged, similar to previous models. The wheelbase and turning circle were unchanged but included a rear overhang to increase cargo space.

Interior


The Defender 2023 comes in a two or four-door format and is 90 and 110, respectively. The 110 has an additional two-seat third row. It also has a streamlined trim line-up and an 11.4-inch touchscreen with wireless charging.

Connectivity and infotainment


The Defender 2023 has some cool infotainment features, and they are listed below;

  • 11.4-inch touchscreen
  • Wireless charging
  • Smartphone compatibility
  • Navigation is all baked in
  • 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
  • Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Head-up display
  • Meridian sound system with 10 or 14 speakers

Safety


The Land Rover Defender 2023 has a full complement of active safety technology for safety. These technologies are a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and lane-keeping assist. Also, the adaptive cruise control and the automatic high beams are included in the lists of safety technologies.

Pros

  • It has a stellar off-road chop
  • It is a vintage style SUV
  • It has a capable powertrain

Cons

  • It has a minuscule third row
  • It has poor fuel economy
  • It is quite expensive

Price


The Land Rover Defender 2023 is quite expensive, as it has a starting price of $106,260 and $113,500. Carpathian Edition comes at $6,290, a storage pack, and a basic interior protection at $510. For an 11.4-inch touchscreen, $140, and California emissions cost $100. While dark gray wheels with contrast diamond-turned finish $200.

Warranty and maintenance coverage


The Land Rover Defender 2023 has a standard warranty package that covers four years or 50,00 miles, whichever comes first. When compared to this Lexus GX, the Defender falls short. The Lexus GX comes with a six-year powertrain warranty with one year of complimentary maintenance. The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles, and the powertrain warranty covers four or 50,000 miles. At the same time, there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Conclusion


The Land Rover Defender 2023 is one of the very best SUVs out in the market, with so many cool features.
These features have been discussed in-depth to give you the full picture of what you expect from this new model.
Now, the choice is yours; what will you do with this information?

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”69″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]




CategoriesNews

Custom 1988 Land Rover Defender Is a ‘Vette at Heart, Embraces the Muscle Truck Life

Definitely not the type of ride you’d expect to find at the mall, it has had its pictures taken in the great outdoors, further emphasizing its go-anywhere nature. If you have to know, it is indeed offered for sale, and it is not affordable by any means. But more on that in a few moments, as first we have to hypothetically dip our fingers into the stuff that makes it great.

Born in 1988, as a Land Rover Defender 130, and fully restored, and upgraded by Osprey, it looks pretty much like a military vehicle converted for road use. It is finished in Corris Gray Metallic, with matching roof and wheel arches, and has satin black powder-coated exoskeleton. The latter part protects the body whenever the driver decides to take a shortcut through the woods, and keeps the occupants safe in case it goes belly up. The extra lights turn night into day at the push of a button.

Getting it out of sticky and/or slippery situations is a winch mounted at the front. The truck has powder-coated hinges, and rides on 20-inch wheels, signed by Kahn, shod in 275/60 all-terrain tires. The suspension came from the aftermarket world, with heavy-duty Terrafirma shocks, 2-inch lift kit, and Puma-spec front and rear axles. Stopping power is provided by the disc brakes, and instead of rocking the original power unit under that classic hood, it has received something else entirely.

According to the tuner behind this head-turning project, the 6.2-liter LS3 V8, otherwise sourced from a Chevrolet Corvette, and hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission, makes over 435 horsepower, and more than 445 pound-feet (603 Nm) of torque. Everything is obviously channeled to the four-wheel drive system. This Defender also features a heavy-duty transfer case with center locking differential, and many more goodies that help improve its credentials once it leaves the tarmac.

Taking a look inside reveals lots of leather, with diamond stitching, wrapped around the seats, and door cards, and Alcantara headlining. Hosting two aluminum cup holders, a wireless charging pad, and two USB ports, the center console is custom, and wrapped in leather. Heated front seats, aftermarket infotainment system linked to a premium audio signed by Rockford Fosgate, Bluetooth, DVD playback, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, reversing camera, and more are included too. It also has air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and remote engine start. Heavy-duty rubber floor mats protect the Raptor-lined interior.

In addition to the aforementioned gear, this spectacular (for anyone who’s into off-roading) build sports many other upgrades, most of which have been mentioned by the vendor in the ad. Speaking of it, you can find the link here, but don’t click on it yet, as we still have to tell you how much it costs. So, think you can guess the number? Unless you said almost $200,000, or $199,950 to be more precise, you were wrong, because that is the asking price of this heavily-modified Defender 130 Pickup.

Sure, for much less than that, one could get something much more modern, and luxurious, that could still take you off the beaten path every now and then with minimal modifications (ahem, G-Wagen, ahem). Nonetheless, in order to turn it into a veritable off-roading brute that is capable of taking on almost everything Mother Nature could throw at it, the owner would have to spend more Benjamins. How much would you be willing to blow on this Defender, if you were in the market for such a machine?

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”68″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]

Article Credit: Cristian Gnaticov
Full Articles:https://www.autoevolution.com/news/custom-1988-land-rover-defender-is-a-vette-at-heart-embraces-the-muscle-truck-life-192604.html#





CategoriesNews

The Land Rover Defender

If you’re a car enthusiast, then you know about the Land Rover Defender 90, 110, and 130. These cars were produced from 1983 to 2016 and had a loyal following all over the world. They were known for their durability and off-road capabilities, and many people consider them to be some of the best off-road vehicles ever made.

The Land Rover Defender is a British four-wheel drive off-road vehicle developed in the 1980s from the original Land Rover Series.

The Land Rover Defender was originally conceived as a simple, rugged workhorse that could tackle any terrain. But over time, it has become much more than that. It has become an icon of British engineering and a beloved vehicle all over the world.

The Land Rover Defender is truly one of a kind, and its history is just as unique as the vehicle itself. These vehicles were known for their unrivaled off-road capability and soon became a staple of British culture. Land Rover Defenders can be seen in all corners of the world, from the African savannah to the streets of London.

Their ruggedness had earned them a reputation as being virtually indestructible, and they quickly became a favorite of farmers, explorers, and anyone who needed a reliable and tough vehicle.

The Defender Series


The Land Rover Defender 110 was the first model that was produced. It was a three-door SUV that had a wheelbase of 93 inches. The Defender 110 was the next model that was produced. It was a five-door SUV with a wheelbase of 110 inches The Defender 130 was the last model that was produced. It was a seven-door SUV with a wheelbase of 127 inches, thus originally named the Defender 127.

All three models have a four-wheel drive and a manual transmission. They were all powered by gasoline engines, but diesel engines were also available on some models.

Some noticeable upgrades distinguished the newer Defender 90 and Defender 110 models from the older Series III. The most important of them all is the coil springs upgrade which made it possible for the new models to tackle even rougher terrain. A four-wheel drive with a more powerful engine was also one of the necessary upgrades. The interior had also received a more modernized look.

These two models would form the basis of the Defender lineup for the next decade.

The 110


The Land Rover Defender 110 is a classic car that was manufactured by Land Rover from 1983 until 1997. It was a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts and farmers, and it became known for its durability and reliability.

The Land Rover Defender 110 is a classic car that is still sought after by collectors and drivers who appreciate its unique style and capabilities. If you’re lucky enough to find one for sale, be prepared to pay a premium!

The Defender 90


The Land Rover Defender 90 is a compact off-roader that was introduced in early 1984. It is based on Defender 110, which was first launched a year prior. The Defender 90 is one of the most popular models in the Land Rover range and has been produced in a number of different versions over the years.

The 1984 Defender 90 featured a 2.5-liter diesel engine that produced 68 HP.

The Defender 90 is available in a number of different body styles, including a three-door short-wheelbase version, a five-door long-wheelbase version, and a four-door station wagon. A number of special editions have been produced over the years, including the Heritage Edition, which was launched in 2012 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Land Rover Series.

Even though the Defender series was and still is beloved by the off-road crowd, it was originally marketed as a family vehicle. These older models are still sought after by collectors and drivers who appreciate their unique style and capabilities.

The Defender 130


In 1983 Land Rover introduced another wheelbase to their lineup: the 127-inch wheelbase. Land Rover unveiled the Defender 130, originally named the 110 cab-crew, a stretched version of the Defender 110 with an extra row of seats.

This model was meant to take over the work, which the 110 just couldn’t handle. It was meant to be used by utility companies and the military. The 130 at first suffered from a lack of power due to the smaller sized engines; however, since 1990, it is only available with the two highest power Land Rover engines, the 134 hp (100 kW) 3.5-litre V8 petrol and the 85 hp (63 kW) 2.5-liter turbo diesel.

Conclusion


Throughout the years, the Land Rover Defender has undergone many changes. But one thing has remained constant: its ability to tackle any terrain. The Land Rover Defender is as iconic as it is popular, with a long and rich history that has made it beloved by many.




CategoriesNews

Move Over, Everyone, It’s Time for the LR Defender V8 and RR Sport SVR to Go Drag Racing

Here’s a question that not many petrolheads will ask: which one is quicker in a straight-line sprint between the Land Rover Defender V8 and its more luxurious cousin, the Range Rover Sport SVR?

Bet you haven’t thought about it, and if we are wrong, then you have come to the right place, as you are about to see the two fast SUVs engage in a couple of direct fights, in the hands of Sam CarLegion on YouTube. The video was uploaded a day ago, so the family feud likely took place recently.

Which one holds the upper ground in terms of power and straight-line performance? Well, the balance slightly tilts in favor of the Range Rover Sport SVR, which is more powerful, and a bit more agile to 62 mph (100 kph). In fact, hitting that mark takes 4.5 seconds, almost a second faster than the more rugged model.

Both of them pack the same engine, which is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, in case you forgot. In the Defender V8, it pumps out 511 brake horsepower and 461 pound-feet (625 Nm) of torque, and in the SVR, it develops 567 bhp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm). The two punchy SUVs use an eight-speed automatic transmission and have four-wheel drive, for faster takeoffs and enhanced traction when needed. Flat-out, the SVR can do up to 174 mph (280 kph), whereas the Defender will run out of breath at 149 mph (240 kph).

Having seen what the official spec sheets say, do you actually think the Defender V8 has what it takes in order to beat the Range Rover Sport SVR in a straight line? The video that you are about to watch answers this question, as the guys behind it have subjected the two high-riders to a couple of races, both from a standing and a rolling start. That said, you know the drill.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”67″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]

Article Credit: Cristian Gnaticov
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/move-over-everyone-it-s-time-for-the-lr-defender-v8-and-rr-sport-svr-to-go-drag-racing-191137.html#