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On the Road 1/15: 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 SE

Old is new again.
Retro is in.

That seems to be the theme these days with some car manufacturers as they harken back to the nostalgic ’40s, ’50s or ’60s to bring back popular iconic models in a repackaged old but new look.

Chevy did it with the Camaro. Ford is doing it this year by bringing back the once popular Bronco. Dodge certainly has had much success when this concept by bringing back more modern and stylized versions of the Charger and Challenger.

Not to be outdone, Land Rover has reached back into its truck/SUV vault to bring back the iconic Land Rover Defender.

The Land Rover Defender 110 – which is what I am reviewing this week – was actually styled after a very rugged British four-wheel drive off road vehicle first produced in 1948. This steel-framed truck gained a worldwide reputation for ruggedness and versatility.

Land Rover had a continuous run of 67 years of producing the Defender, pumping out over 2 million units in that timeframe. It ended production of the Defender in January 2016.
Now, it’s back with a vengeance.

In 2020, the United Kingdom-based Land Rover brought back the four-door version of the Defender, badged the 110 SE, and for 2021 it also unveiled the two-door version of the same truck, badged the 90 model.

Needless to say, it’s been a smashing success.

The new Land Rover Defender line recently won accolades as it was named Motor Trend’s 2021 SUV of the Year.

“We are thrilled to honor the Land Rover Defender with our SUV of the Year award,” says Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Mark Rechtin. “Part of the word ‘transportation’ is not just driving but the feeling of being transported. The moment you get into a Land Rover Defender you are transported. Every design element gives the sense of journey, safari, moving outward into the world with courage.”

Needless to say the folks at Land Rover were thrilled with the truck of the year award.

“It’s a great achievement and an honor for the new Defender to be selected as the SUV of the Year from Motor Trend,” says Joe Eberhardt, president and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America.

Personally, I first saw the new/old look Defender at the Philadelphia car show in 2019 where it was unveiled in a sneak peak presentation. I was impressed then with its new, but ruggedly old, look. But, of course, I didn’t get a chance to drive it.

More recently I had the privilege of jumping behind the wheel of the 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 SE – the four-door version – for one week for some real-life road testing.

The first thing I noticed about this new Defender was how ruggedly awesome it looks. My tester had a Gondwana Stone colored exterior with black rimmed, off-road 19 inch tires with an Ebony leather interior.

The Gondwana Stone is a light green that suits this vehicle just fine – giving it a military-like look.

The next thing you notice, after you jump into this rig, is how it was designed to be a sporty or utilitarian type vehicle but at the same time it is loaded with all the most modern tech.

The 10-inch touch screen infotainment system is one of the best in the business and the back up camera and surround camera system is simply astounding in its clarity and usefulness.

However, at the same time, the interior is Jeep rugged. There are no carpeted mats. Instead it is outfitted with very durable all-weather terrain mats, so if you accidentally drag some mud into the vehicle there will be no worries.

Moreover, the grab handles, shelving and compartments are comprised of a tough, polyurethane composite that lends itself to taking this vehicle on a safari with you.

In regular around town driving, the Defender performs well. It is comfortable to drive, a bit top heavy because it has a high center of gravity, but overall it handles well, takes bumps extremely well and is a pretty good highway cruiser as well.

But, that isn’t where this vehicle really struts its stuff. To really get the feel of the overall competence of this truck, you have to take it off road.

The folks at Motor Trend took their Land Rover Defender to the rugged terrain of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast when they tested it.

Obviously, I didn’t have that luxury. But, the sandy trails of South Jersey’s Pinelands would have to do for my test drive.

Needless to say, if the newly redesigned Defender was able to chew up the terrain of Namibia and win truck of year honors at the same time, handling the sandy Pinelands trails was kid stuff. And, it was.

The Defender performs best when it’s chewing up sand and gravel beneath its wheels and spitting it all out with ease. It holds the off-road quite nicely and you feel very confident that whatever mud puddle, sandy patch or small log that gets thrown in its path, you could handle it with ease.

My tester Defender 110 SE had a base price of $62,250. However, after options and destination and delivery it had a bottom line sticker price of $72,780.

Added options included but weren’t limited to: $1,020 for the driver assist package (adaptive cruise); $700 for a cold climate package (heated steering wheel); $2,080 for advanced off-road package; $1,750 for a sliding panoramic roof.

The government’s EPA fuel consumption ratings for this vehicle come in at 19 miles per gallon overall with 22 mpg in highway driving and 17 mpg in city driving.

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost of operating the Defender to be $2,550 as it uses 5.3 gallons of gas per every 100 miles driven.

This vehicle has not been safety crash tested yet by the government.

My tester was powered by a 3.0 liter, six cylinder engine that puts out 395 horsepower.

Article Credit: Peter Perrotta
Full Article: https://centraljersey.com/2021/01/15/on-the-road-1-15-2020-land-rover-defender-110-se/

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Ares Design unveils Land Rover Defender Spec 1.2

The new Land Rover Defender is a faithful iteration of the iconic off-roader with its modern boxy styling and all-conquering prowess. As it turns out, Ares Design has come up with something better, and it’s based on the previous-gen Defender with a genuine ladder chassis.

“We created our first Defender Ultra V8 in 2018, so we have great knowledge of the vehicle and led us to create a second edition with an even more distinctive style and refined finish,” said Dany Bahar, Ares Design CEO.

It all starts with an old Defender 110 SW and generous servings of lightweight carbon-fiber body panels. Ares removed any visible body bolts and widened the fenders for a cleaner and more aggressive look. Also new are LED headlights, circular LED taillights, and a one-piece carbon-fiber front and rear end.

Additionally, Defender Spec 1.2 has bespoke 18-inch Ares-designed alloy wheels wrapped in Copper Discoverer STT Pro all-terrain tires. The taller ride height is courtesy of a 1.4-inch lift kit and electronically adjustable suspension. It also gets a panoramic roof and larger tinted windows.

Under the hood, the Defender’s old four-cylinder diesel engine is replaced with a 4.8-liter V8 motor with 280 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. “Powered by the same V8 engine, the Ares Land Rover Defender Spec 1.2 retains the characteristics of the new Defender design but beautifully reimagined to express modernity and luxury,” added Bahar.

The engine sends power to all four wheels via a standard six-speed automatic gearbox. Furthermore, Ares reinforced the CV joints and axle shafts to cope with V8 power. Of course, the old brakes were retired in favor of an AP Racing brake kit with six-piston calipers.

Ares Design is known for turning ‘ordinary’ vehicles into something worth remembering. Last year, the company debuted its S Project Coupe and S1 Project Spyder supercars based on the new C8 Corvette. Whereas the S Project Coupe starts at $490,000, you don’t need that much money to order your very own Land Rover Defender Spec 1.2, although Ares has yet to divulge the exact cost of entry for its newest creation.

But if the first Ares Land Rover Defender is anything to go by, expect prices to start upwards of $264,000 for the conversion (not including the cost of an old Land Rover Defender), which Ares claims will take around three months to complete.

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Article Credit: Alvin Reyes
Full Article: https://www.slashgear.com/ares-design-unveils-land-rover-defender-spec-1-2-14655136

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2020 Land Rover Defender 110 First Edition Review

My introduction to Land Rover was as a kid when Matchbox created a sharp dark green boxy version with brown plastic luggage atop its roof. Then there was Daktari, the TV show about a wild animal veterinarian running the African savanna in a Rover.

I still think of Land Rovers as those boxy utilitarian beasts that mostly British folks used to roam Africa’s plains in search of wild game. One hopes now it was mostly for photography purposes instead of butchery.

Indeed, off-road prowess is Land Rover’s claim to fame, much like Jeep’s reputation was built on its ruggedness and ability to go anywhere, crushing rocks, sloshing through mud and swamp, swooshing around sand dunes and fording rivers. Then came luxury!

Since 1997 when Land Rover last sold a Defender in the U.S. market, Rover has become a luxury sport-utility nameplate with its Range Rover lineup. That’s all well and good, but some of the monied off-roading crowd also longed for a more rugged Defender type vehicle to take mudding, etc.

Well, the Defender 110 is back, and it’s an off-roader, loaded with technology AND luxury, although not the leather-slathered luxo of Range Rovers.

First, Defender looks more boxy and Land Roveresque than Range Rovers. Its designers have successfully managed a modern retro look that some may think looks like Defender was built of Legos. I like it!

But looks don’t ford rivers or mount rocks and Rover backs up Defender’s rugged looks with a strong 3.0-liter I6 that’s turbocharged and supercharged to create 395 horsepower. That’s certainly more than enough to sling the AWD vehicle to 60 mph in less than six seconds. A quick run-up on a highway entry ramp is a strong 93 mph.

Add light, easy handling and a compliant ride and this off-roader feels perfectly adept on city streets and Wisconsin’s rustic rural roads. I only went off-road briefly, but the air suspension here easily sucked up major bumps. Credit goes to that suspension and the fact this Defender features a unibody build, with independent suspension, unlike the older body-on-frame truck of the past with its solid rear axle.

Those air shocks also allow the Defender to be raised and lowered (by button) a couple inches for easier ingress and egress or to allow more convenient cargo loading. For convenience there also are a couple buttons inside the rear-opening door (not something I favor) to lower the tail.

But for any serious off-roader it’s the Terrain Response system that is Rover’s biggest selling point, although engaging it is a tad confusing. While most off-roading utes now allow you to turn a dial to engage off-roading choices, the Land Rover insists you use its less than intuitive infotainment screen, and other dash buttons.

Watch Mark’s review video:

At the home screen you are presented 12 choices, which DO make sense. There’s Climate, Seats, Towing & Trailers, Camera, Eco Data and more.

One is 4×4, the correct choice for off-road settings. That leads to another screen where you press Configurable TR, then another screen where you press OK to accept some legalistic mumbo jumbo. Now it sort of indicates you should press a button on the center stack between the two large climate control knobs. Do that and you are presented nine choices, of which Automatic is what you’ll want for daily driving, especially if streets are snowy.

Other modes are Eco, Comfort (also a good daily driver), Grass/Gravel, Sand, Rock Crawl, Wade, and Configurable. Be aware that if you don’t keep punching the button to move quickly from one setting to the next the screen zeros out and you need to start over.

Note too that if you choose Wade, the Defender will use sensors to tell you if you’re about to wade too deep into a puddle, stream or lake. Defender will wade in water up to 35.4 inches and features a big black snorkel on the driver’s side A-pillar to help it breathe in deep water.

For the record that snorkel and a giant roof rack that appears strong enough to carry several large dead beasts atop the roof, are part of a safari-inspired $4,800 option package. That also includes a snazzy matte black hood decal, mud flaps, spare wheel cover, wheel arch protection and a nifty, but odd, side-mount gear carrier that hangs off the passenger’s side rear window.

Quick note on that exterior gear carrier. You must slam it shut to get it to latch, just turning the key back to its starting position won’t do it. Found that out as it was flapping in the breeze when I took to the highway.

From a driving standpoint (which is the main point), the Defender is pleasant and powerful. It accelerates quickly, the 8-speed automatic transmission shifts efficiently and without fanfare, steering is light and precise and ride is comfortable. Grip is good because you have AWD, tested in moderate snow during my drive.

Inside, the silver test truck featured black cloth seats with perforated leather inserts and looked rather sparse for trim in that the doors and console feature panels with bolt heads to give it a Wild Kingdom ambiance. Yet the dash was all modern and high-tech with a 10-inch infotainment screen and digital gauges. While the dash itself was black with a soft almost foamy suede-like material on its top that is designed with a rounded edge for easy gripping as you slosh through the outback.

Seats are moderately supportive and feature three memory settings while the steering wheel is a power tilt/telescope number. Most useful is an open front console with plenty of storage room for maps, sunglasses, binoculars and the like. A wireless charger is in the console section with enclosed storage box and cup holders.

I tested the First Edition version of the 4-door Defender 110 and that adds a few other goodies of note. Most obvious is a large panoramic sunroof offering a great view of that monster roof rack. Other doodads include a refrigerated storage box between the front seats, a fine Meridian sound system and 12-way powered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Standard too is a 360-degree camera, traffic sign recognition system, clear-exit monitor, blind-spot assist, lane keep assist, and emergency braking with alarm. It works!

Add-ons included a third-row seat that folds down into the cargo floor in back. It adds $1,200 and is basically useless for passengers as there’s no legroom. Save the dough! While you’re at it you can save the $1.075 for three-row climate controls.

Oddly off-road tires add $350 and a tow hitch receiver is $650. I’d think them standard on a $70,000 Rover aimed at off-roading and towing since Defender will haul 8,201 lbs. Don’t try 8,202?

Other options were minimal in cost and need, but added up to $79,190 for a grand total.

If you want the ultimate Defender that would be the X model at $80,900 and adds an electronic differential and All Terrain Progress Control System that when engaged acts similarly to a cruise control, but on low traction surfaces. That, to me, is defeating the purpose of a driver going off-road for fun and adventure, but it’s a clever feature.

Less monied buyers may opt too for the Standard Defender at $49,990, plus $1,025 delivery charge. It uses a less exuberant 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes a still substantial 296 horsepower. Rover says it’ll do 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds or about two seconds slower than the I6-equipped models.

Land Rover also offers S, SE and HSE trims on its ladder up to the First Edition and X. The HSE is aimed more at luxury with leather and wool seats.

Downsides here include the upper end pricing and poor gas mileage. I got just 16.1 mpg while the EPA rates Defender at 17 mpg city and 22 highway. I also don’t care for the rear-opening door in place of a hatch, but that’s necessitated by putting the heavy spare tire on the door.

This one also had no running boards, which is good for off-roading, but terrible for comfort on a daily basis as the step-up is enormous. That roof rack also creates major wind noise, the outside storage box blocks a big portion of passenger-side rear views via the mirror and the test vehicle’s AWD system groaned considerably when the ute was coasting.

At nearly $80,000 I’d expect more refinement, although I fully realize Defender is aimed more at avid off-roaders with money to burn. Defender is a mix of retro rough and tough and modern amenities.

Folks aiming more for off-roading basics will find a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited more affordable, or a basic Wrangler is a bargain for about $28,000 and both will climb rocks and slosh mud. Off-roaders with money, and an even larger ego, may want to consider Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen at $130,000 and change.

Overview: 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 First Edition

Hits: Modern retro looks, great power and off-roading ability, light easy handling, compliant ride. Panoramic sunroof, heated seats/steering wheel, wireless charger, 360-degree camera, vehicle’s air shocks raise/lower ute, will wade in 35 inches of water.

Misses: Big price, poor gas mileage, rear-opening door not hatch, less than intuitive info screen, no running boards, AWD groans when ute is coasting, roof rack creates major wind noise, odd outside storage box blocks rear view in side mirror.

Made In: Nitra, Slovakia

Engine: 3.0-liter supercharged, turbocharged I6, 395 hp

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Weight: 5,773 lbs.

Wheelbase: 119 in.

Length: 197.6 in.

Cargo: 11/35/69 cu.ft.

Tow: 8,201 lbs.

MPG: 17/22, 16.1 (tested)

Base Price: $70,000 (includes delivery)

Invoice: $65,881

Major Options: Third row seats, $1,200

Three-row climate controls, $1,075

Tow hitch receiver, $650

Off-road tires, $350

60/40 load-through rear seat, $100

Cabin air ionizer, $100

Air quality sensor, $75

Rear seat convenience pack, $140

Premium interior protection/storage pack, $700

Explorer pack (mud flaps, matte black hood decal, spare wheel cover, wheel arch protection, raised air intake, expedition roof rack, exterior side-mount gear carrier), $4,800

Test Vehicle: $79,190

Article Credit: Mark Savage
Photo Credits: Mark Savage
Full Article: https://www.wuwm.com/post/2020-land-rover-defender-110-first-edition-review#stream/0



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Osprey’s Land Rover Defender 90 Has Classic Looks, Modern Power

If anything, Osprey Custom Cars’ custom builds are some of the best money can buy.

Despite looking like a well-preserved classic Land Rover Defender 90, this one was built from the ground up. It sports a modern chassis with suspension and brake upgrades, skid plates, steel bumpers and Kahn 18-inch alloy wheels shod in chunky off-road rubber.

Finished in Santorini Black, it features LED headlights and DRLs in the front bumper, a full-size spare at the back, a canvas soft top and a satin black powder-coated roll bar. There’s also a new front grille and a Puma-spec bonnet.

This Defender is powered by a 5.3-liter LS V8 that produces 325 horsepower and 330 pound-feet (447 Nm) of torque, driving all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with transfer case.

Inside, there’s black leather upholstery, heated front seats, four inward-facing jump seats in the load area, air conditioning, 7-inch infotainment system from Alpine with Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, power windows, JL audio, LED ambient lighting, Momo steering wheel and a TDCI-spec dash with stock gauges.

Custom Defenders do not come cheap, though, and this Defender 90 will set you back almost $130,000. The new-gen model, on the other hand, starts from $46,100 in the U.S. – but we guess that’s comparing apples to oranges.

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Article Credit: Christian Gnaticov
Full Article: https://www.carscoops.com/2021/01/ospreys-land-rover-defender-90-has-classic-looks-modern-power/



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TESTED: Land Rover Defender 110 P400 is every bit as good as it looks

JOHANNESBURG – Land Rover’s Defender finally landed in South Africa this year after what feels like a decade of waiting. Teased and shown in prototype form for years, we’ve always expected the new Defender to move into a new generation in a big way, leaving behind its war-time heritage and utilitarian nature. Some say the Defender is no longer a Defender; they say it’s too modern, perhaps too 22nd century.

The reality is, the latest Land Rover Defender is an exquisite piece of engineering and although it is a far cry from its predecessor, it’s a much better vehicle now than ever before.

MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE NATHAN DRAKE

Let’s start with the way the Defender makes you feel when you look at it. There’s no doubt, you will smile when you see one. It’s not ostentatious, it’s not built for bling, it’s well chiselled and flat like the old one but curved in just the right spots to give it a futuristic look.

In fact, we recently played through the Uncharted video game series on PlayStation and it was in the third instalment of the game that we came across a vehicle in the game that looked like the new Defender. A proper beefy squared off, dirt-road monster that would take you up the steepest inclines and down the most vicious descents. When I look at the Defender I get those same “Nathan Drake” vibes, where I just want to pack up the 900-litre boot with gear and head off into the unknown.

So, from a looks perspective, in my eyes, the new Defender is one heck of good looking vehicle, with just the right proportions and stance. Our test unit was finished in a wonderful dark blue with dark 21-inch alloy wheels. It’s a tasty package, however, across the range, even if you opt for the “bare bones” models with steel wheels.

THE DRIVE

The Defender is available with a range of engines, most recently augmented by the addition of some new diesel and plug-in-hybrid models for 2021. Our test unit came with the “right” engine, though, the straight-six turbo 3.0-litre engine that you’d usually find in a Jaguar sports car. 294kW on tap and around 550Nm to play with from a relatively low 2000rpm makes it a formidable on-road GT type car as well as rock-crawler. The combination of this engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission with low-range and driving modes also made it one of the easiest vehicles to take on an off-road course.

We headed out to the Hartbeespoort area to tackle some courses there over a weekend and came away extremely impressed at how the Defender made light work of every obstacle thrown at it. Really, along the Hennops 4×4 course, for example, there’s this steep shale rockface incline that I really battle with in lesser 4x4s but not so in the Defender. Hit the thing into Rock mode, get comfortable behind the wheel and let the car climb. You give it a little bit of gas when you need to, but for the rest, you just watch the onboard cameras and steer in the direction you want to go and the Defender goes there.

Some of the off-road enthusiasts at the trail that day commented that the Defender “is lekker”, but it “does everything for you”. They’re right, it does most things for you, but you still need to know the basics of 4×4-ing, such as assessing obstacles or be willing to test water crossing depths (although the Defender has a built-in depth detection gauge when you make those sorts of crossings), and you genuinely need to know what you are doing.

This notion of the “the car does everything for you” so it’s a bad car seems moot, considering we’re living in a world where instant gratification matters most. Look, I get the argument that the old Defender did lots of things right as an off-roader, but this new one is just as capable, if not more for the type of leisurely 4×4-ing most people will do with it. If you’re more of a Camel Plain type and would prefer to carve your own trail through a jungle with a machete, perhaps the old Defender is more your cup of tea.

THE TECH

Powering the Defender is a high-tech range of engines, shared with sister company Jaguar, which is an excellent thing as these power units punch with the best that Germany has to offer. I would prefer a diesel in my Defender, but the petrol unit worked well to deliver smooth performance and safe, brisk overtaking.

It’s packed with those driving modes I mentioned earlier, several for off-roading and a road-drive programme that keeps things smooth and comfortable. You can even spec it with air-suspension to give you additional ride height options depending on your needs.

I thoroughly enjoyed the infotainment technology, with smooth, responsive touchscreens and hard-wearing buttons and dials. It’s really nice that you still have access to key controls through knobs and switches as most premium manufactures are trying to shoehorn everything into the touchscreen interfaces these days.

Seat comfort in the new Defender is also praiseworthy as you never feel uncomfortable when bouncing over rocks. It’s also supremely comfortable for long highway journeys. Since my accident, my back tends to stiffen up if I sit in a car seat for more than an hour, but in some cars, such as the Defender, I didn’t cramp up. This is, no doubt, thanks to its shape and it’s infinite adjustment options on the test car.

WORTH THE MONEY?

Looking at the price list for the new Defender, it’s easy to let out a gasp. It’s not cheap, even at the entry-level, but then it’s not a cheap car. As mentioned, it’s extremely well-engineered, with solid metals and materials that give you this feeling that it will withstand a nuclear blast. There’s a refinedness to it that you won’t get in a G-Class, no matter how much you polish that vehicle, and there’s a wonderful feeling of serenity to it that you don’t get in your more mainstream SUVs.

In Land Rover’s own portfolio of off-roaders, the Defender stands out as the one you really want, or at least the one I really want. It has character, it has the quality and it has presence, but most of all it still has that ability to go anywhere, just with more convenience and luxury.

If you’re out tyre-kicking one for your daily commute or urban adventures, I’d suggest a petrol model, or perhaps waiting for the plug-in model that arrives soon. If you plan of putting one some real mileage off the beaten tracks of Mzansi, you might appreciate the frugality of the diesel more. Either way and regardless of the spec you choose, you’re getting the same basic driving package of solidity and refinement in a retro look that will keep you smiling for years to come.

It’s just that kind of vehicle, it’s so loveable, and yes it has some quirks, but the positives outweigh these so much that I really can’t fault this Defender. I want an all-electric one, please build one, Land Rover.

All Land Rover Defenders come with a 5-year/100 000km full-maintenance plan.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 P400

ENGINE: 3.0-litre, straight-six turbo petrol

GEARBOX: 8-speed with low range

DRIVE: All-wheel drive

POWER: 294kW at 5500rpm

TORQUE: 550Nm at 2000rpm

FUEL USE (TESTED): 14.5 l/100km (mixed use)

0-1000KM/H (CLAIMED): 191km/h

LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT: 5018mm/2105mm/1967mm

GROUND CLEARANCE: 291mm

WARRANTAY: 5-year/100 000km

SERVICE PLAN: 5-year/100 000km

PRICE: From R1 283 630

Article Credit: Pritesh Ruthum
Full Article: https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road-tests/tested-land-rover-defender-110-p400-is-every-bit-as-good-as-it-looks-a4bf8fd3-d7e7-444e-9d87-747bbe2c7e77