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Custom Land Rover Defender Pair by GAS and Undefeated Offers Posh Overlanding

When the new Land Rover Defender launched in 2020, the main complaint most people had was that it had lost the ruggedness and simplicity of the original. To put it in other words, it had become too posh.

But then again, “posh” seems like a perfectly normal adjective for something coming from the United Kingdom, doesn’t it? Don’t they all drink tea all day and say “dear me” over there anyway? If someone was to make a posh SUV, certainly it would have to be a British brand.

Well, the thing with the new Defender is that it’s only truly luxurious when you compare it to the older model. Next to any other premium machine on the market, the best way you could describe its interior is smart-functional (you can blame the fashion industry for this type of fancy compound words if you don’t like them).

Ironically enough, the SUV built in Slovakia (where Jaguar Land Rover owns a plant) had to travel all the way to Los Angeles to get what could very well be the poshest makeover so far. The transformation came courtesy of Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) and Undefeated, two brands local in the City of Angels that had never worked together until this project.

Their work has already been on display at last year’s L.A. Auto Show, so if this feels familiar, stick around for some more details as well as the high-quality photos – about as high as the effort put into making these two vehicles. If you go through the list of modifications – which we’ll do in a second – you’ll see it’s not about quantity, but rather the attention to detail and the careful choosing of the right design, accessory, or material.

So, we’re looking at two 2021 Defenders, one of the 90 variety, with its shorter wheelbase, and one of the longer 110 (soon to become medium once the 130 gets out) type. Both use the P400 hybrid powertrain which is by far the best option for this model mating a small electric motor to a butter-smooth straight-six twin-turbo engine. This setup mixes massive amounts of power (395 hp and 406 lb-ft / 550 Nm, the latter available from as low as 2,000 rpm) and almost perfectly silent running, something a diesel could never do.

When it comes to starting trim levels, the stubbier SUV gets slightly ahead since it’s a “First Edition” whereas the 110 one is just a SE. Not that any of it matters now after the two American companies – one specializing in car customization and the other in stylish apparel – have had their way with them.

The first thing you’ll notice is the wheels, both vehicles sporting sets of Forgiato Custom “Steelies” with a 19-inch diameter finished in a creamy Ivory paint. They’re not exactly what people refer to when they talk about steel rims, but they sure make the two custom paint jobs stand out. The 90 Defender gets a fresh coat of Galpin Auto Sports’ custom “Jaguar Green” while the 110 one sports its blue equivalent (“Jaguar Blue”). Both SUVs’ roofs were painted to match the wheels.

On the inside, the two vehicles get GAS’ beige Parchment leather upholstery with either “navy houndstooth” or “beach towel” inserts, both of which look equally cool. We’re not so sure about the houndstooth one but the beach towel certainly makes a lot of sense since the 90 Defender has a clear surfing theme (something it definitely had to travel to California for).

The “Jaguar Green” short wheelbase SUV also has an intricate shelving system in the trunk that includes a biometric safe (to leave your important stuff in while you enjoy the waves), as well as a roof rack with surfboard attachment, an awning for shade during those hot summer days, and a road shower to get the sand off your feet before climbing in.

Over on the “Jaguar Blue” side, the 110 Defender has been kitted as a premium overlanding vehicle, sporting a slide-out kitchen with stove and sink, a refrigerator, a rooftop tent, and a roof-mounted 270-degree awning.

Neither of these two custom builds is particularly practical, but they do serve their purpose of drawing attention toward the pair of companies involved in the conversion, if not toward the third one that actually built the SUVs they’re based on as well. It’s something to whet your appetite and get you in the mood for customizing your car. Or buying a Defender. Or going surfing. Or cooking in nature. It depends, I guess.

Article Credit: Vlad Mitrache
Full Article: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/custom-land-rover-defender-pair-by-gas-and-undefeated-offers-posh-overlanding-180064.html#



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New Land Rover Defender 130’s Extra-Long Body Revealed In Patent Filings

The three-row SUV has been teased around Europe, but now we get a good, clean look at the largest new Defender without any camouflage hiding its features.

We knew it was coming for some time, but all we had on the new Land Rover Defender 130 were some camouflaged test models captured in Europe. Now, thanks to the U.S. Patent Office, it appears we have a much more clear vision of the extra-long, three-row Defender SUV that soon will join the two-door 90 and four-door, two-row 110 in the lineup.

Bigger Body, Same Wheelbase

As we mentioned in a 2020 article about future Defender models, tthe numbered badging of these new Land Rover SUVs no longer represents the actual wheelbase length. The Defender 110 and upcoming Defender 130 will both ride on the same 119-inch wheelbase, and as you can see neither are named “Defender 119.” However, the 130’s body is going to be longer to accommodate more room behind the second row of seats. This extra length is plainly seen in the patent images, especially once you compare them to images of the 110. Sadly, as we also noted, it won’t get the “troop-style” inward-facing jump seats that were fitted to the cargo walls of the 130 Series II. You can blame modern crash standards for that.

However, the 130 will get a conventional third-row seat much like the Lexus GX and other three-row SUVs get. Expect the seat to fold flat so you can enjoy extra cargo room when you’re not carrying two or three extra children around. We also expect that the engine choices will remain the same from the current Defender 110 as well as boutique versions from Land Rover SV Bespoke. Because, if you’re going to get the 130, why not make it extra special while you’re at it?

When Can We Have It

For now, there hasn’t been any rumblings on a release date for the Defender 130. With this new patent filing, however, we expect some news to come soon on its debut, given how complete the design appears. It’s welcome news, regardless, as one of the few complaints about the Defender—our 2021 SUV of the Year(!)—was the lack of cargo room. The 130 looks to solve that with some room to spare, along with some longer looks.

Article Credit: Justin Banner
Full Article: https://www.motortrend.com/news/land-rover-defender-130-teaser-patent-filing/



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UNDEFEATED and Galpin Unveil Two Custom Land Rover Defenders

Made for camping and surfing.

UNDEFEATED has partnered with Galpin Auto Sports, the infamous car custom garage for Pimp My Ride seasons 5-6, to deliver two unique takes on the Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 models.

The “Jaguar Blue” Land Rover Defender 110 is built for camping trips and features a range of amenities and features. A Nomad Kitchen Co. setup slides out from the trunk to reveal a prep table, sink, camping stove, fridge, drawers, and storage compartments. Up top, the roof is equipped with a custom hitch-mounted lockbox, a full-length roof rack, 270-degree awning, and a deployable tent.

Custom “Undefeated 110” and “Galpin Motors” badges are displayed on the rear and ivory “Steelie” Forgiato rims with floating Undefeated logo center caps are fitted with military-style Goodyear tires. Interiors feature a blackout package, parchments leather upholstery with houndstooth accents, and Undefeated logos imprinted on the head cushions. Performance-wise, the 3.0 Turbocharged hybrid engine generates 395 Horsepower with a towing capacity of 8201 pounds.

The “Jaguar Green” Undefeated x Gapin Defender 90 P400 First Edition is built with surfing in mind and incorporates a road shower, retractable awning, hitch-mounted lockbox, and a surfboard rack. Inside, interiors are lined in leather with beach-towel-inspired inserts and feature custom wood compartments and a biometric safe. Custom “Steelie” rims, blackout tints, collaboration badges, and engine specs are consistent with the aforementioned Defender 110.

The special-edition Land Rovers were first revealed at the 2021 LA Auto Show, and the initial response has been deservingly positive. Boasting both distinct retro style and utility, the UNDEFEATED x GALPIN series is sure to be a future classic. Release information for the two special-edition vehicles has yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for more updates.

Article Credit: Aaron Chow
Full Articles: https://blog.dupontregistry.com/the-lifestyle/undefeated-x-galpin-motors-unveils-two-new-adventerous-land-rover-defender-builds/



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Ex-Top Gear Co-Host Says the 2022 Land Rover Defender 90 V8 Doesn’t Make Much Sense

Even though it does not look as menacing as its iconic predecessor, the new-gen Land Rover Defender has conquered the hearts of off-road enthusiasts and SUV fans. That’s because it drives better than ever, is still relatively comfortable, spacious, and comes packed with the latest driver assistance and technology gear.

As of last year, Land Rover has sprinkled the new Defender family with a high-performance version. Simply called the Defender V8, it is available in the 90 and 110 body styles and doesn’t really stand out next to the lesser models. Sure, you do get bigger wheels, quad exhaust pipes out back, and some discreet V8 badges, but the thing is, when most people buy a sporty high-rider, they want people to notice it, so it definitely does not fit the ‘look at me’ bill.

Another problem, according to Rory Reid, whom you may remember from his relatively short Top Gear days, is that the 90 body style can be a bit of a letdown. Despite having a huge tailgate, or a rear door, depending on how you see it, the trunk space is smaller than that of a Ford Fiesta. Also, having people getting in and out of the rear passenger compartment takes too much time due to the slow-responding controls of the front seats. Sure, you can get rid of this issue by buying the 110 version, but it’s what the journo tested out, so he had to mention them.

Other than that, the V8 sounds great, the gearbox is very responsive, and it is quite comfortable on the road, despite riding on 22-inch wheels. There is a bit of a body roll, and that’s pretty much inexcusable nowadays, but the overall impression is that of a well-sorted SUV, especially with all the tech amenities and rugged interior, as long as you don’t compare it to a Range Rover Sport SVR, with which it shares its engine.

But should you actually spend your hard-earned Benjamins on it, or should you simply choose one of the lesser models instead? This review will probably help you decide, so get ready to take a short break and see what the Defender 90 V8 is all about.

Article Credit: Cristian Gnaticov
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/ex-top-gear-co-host-says-the-2022-land-rover-defender-90-v8-doesn-t-make-much-sense-179140.html#



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TESTED: Land Rover Defender 90 V8 is more dynamic than you’d expect

Pretoria – The last generation Land Rover Defender still remains an endearing sight on our roads and probably will be for years to come as enthusiastic owners continue to maintain them and keep them running. The restoration market for Series Defenders around the world is booming and fully restored to its original specification they are sold for silly money.

So you can rest assured that despite Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) move to electrification, Defenders and Defender enthusiasts will continue to fly the flag. In fact, as I write this, there’s a discussion going on on one of the Land Rover Whatsapp groups about the placing of the air filter on a Puma 2.4 that’s sucking in water during normal wet road driving. The owner is deep in the Richtersveld and asking for advice. They’re saying it’s a design fault (it’s a Defender thing) and there are a few remedies because over the years owners have been forced to improvise in order to improve on some of the outdated original engineering.

Anyway, he’s been sorted which is another thing about Defender owners. It’s this weird collection of long-suffering owners that have never met but will go out of their way to assist and advise in order to remedy any breakdown.

Which brings us to the New Defender about which a lot has been written most of it positive and here and there a few old-fashioned grumpy old men that don’t agree with it.

I’m a huge fan, having spent a lot of time behind the wheel, and if I get to win the Lotto my first port of call will be Land Rover Centurion.

I’m not sure whether new owners have the same enthusiasm as those of us that plod on with our sometimes not so trusty steeds, but Lotto winnings willing, watch this space. I do know however, that there’s a very exclusive little group that’s prepared to fork out almost R2.4 million to R2.5 million to get behind the wheel of one.

Not just any Defender mind you but one that’s fitted with a V8 and because they can, they’ve slapped on a supercharger. The Defender V8 is the pinnacle in their range and while the engine also does duty in some of the other JLR products it’s the first time it’s been put under the hood of a design shaped like a brick, making it the most powerful and fastest Defender ever.

With 386kW and 625Nm on tap you can be sure there’s heaps of fun to be had when you floor the accelerator to get you to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds from a standing start to even out at 240km/h with ease in eighth gear.

Inspired by the Defender V8 Bond Edition seen in No Time to Die, we had the short wheelbase Defender 90 on test which was one of those cars that you couldn’t get enough of. From the delightful burble coming from the four tailpipes on start-up, the plush interior, driving position, blue brake calipers and all round fun factor, it brought a smile to my face every time, much like my own one but for very different reasons.

Fitted with the optional Black Pack and standing on 22-inch alloys it sets itself apart from its siblings in the range rather well.

Also different for obvious reasons is the unique suspension and transmission tuning with bespoke spring and damper rates and an Electronic Active Rear Differential with a yaw controller that Land Rover says delivers more agile and engaging handling with improved body control. It’s also fitted with larger diameter and solid anti-roll bars to reduce body roll while cornering.

Whoever was in charge of those changes deserves high praise because it handles unlike any other SUV no matter what the speed.

The Terrain Response 2 has an additional Dynamic programme that tightens throttle response, suspension and a few other assists to provide, well… a more dynamic ride. You have to be a bit bonkers to push all of this to the limit, but I have no doubt that somewhere out there there’s a person doing exactly that.

While on a very early morning drive on the highway a typically aggressive Gauteng motorist in an expensive German SUV flashed his lights at me to move across. I was going slightly above the speed limit (the V8 Defender does that) so I pressed the accelerator to the floor, easily leaving him behind to explain to his friends how a Defender managed to outrun him.

Driving like that doesn’t do consumption any good but when you’re forking out that type of money I doubt the price of petrol or how much you use is on your list of concerns.

It has all the off-road goodies that you would find in a “normal” Defender which means it’s highly capable off the black stuff but somehow I can’t imagine seeing one on a trail any time soon.

For that they have a new Defender parked at home and perhaps even a kitted old clunky manual 90 or 110.

Land Rover Defender V8 pricing

Defender 90 V8: R2 386 900

Defender 110 V8: R2 460 500

Defender 90 V8 Carpathian Edition: R2 482 300

Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition: R2 555 900

Specifications (Defender 90 V8)

Engine: 5.0-litre, V8, turbopetrol

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Drive: Four-wheel drive

Power: 386kW @ 6000-6500rpm

Torque: 625Nm @ 2500-5500rpm

0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds (claimed)

Top speed: 240km/h (191 with 20” wheels)

Fuel use: 12.8 l/100km (claimed)

Boot capacity: 297 – 1263 litres

Towing capacity: 3500kg (braked)

Ground clearance: 225 (291 with air suspension)

Warranty: 5-year/100 000km

Maintenance plan: 5-year/100 000km

Article Credit: Willem van de Putte
Full Articles: https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road-tests/tested-land-rover-defender-90-v8-is-more-dynamic-than-youd-expect-e622b260-1780-4d98-807a-290033dc8833