CategoriesNews

The New Defender in Namibia

The New Land Rover Defender is pictured with the magical landscape of Namibia as its backdrop

The New Land Rover Defender is pictured with the magical landscape of Namibia as its backdrop. Kaokoland – in the north-west – is the last true wilderness in Southern Africa, encompassing everything from towering sand dunes to bone-dry riverbeds that proved the class-leading capabilities of the Defender.

Images showcase the Defender 110 D4H 240PS AWD (diesel) in Pangea Green, and the P6H 400 PS MHEV (petrol) in Indus Silver, both with an array of accessories fitted to the vehicles.

The Defender 110 demonstrated its unrivalled all-terrain prowess across gravel trails, hard-packed sand, rock crawl and hard gravel.

NEW DEFENDER – NAMIBIA – OFF-ROAD – ROCKY TERRAIN

NEW DEFENDER – NAMIBIA – OFF-ROAD – WATER

(Land Rover Press Release)



CategoriesNews

New Land Rover Defender 90 Goes on Sale following Unprecedented Demand for Defender 110

Capable and connected New Land Rover Defender 90 is available to order now, priced from £40,290 in the UK

  • Orders open: With Land Rover experiencing unprecedented demand for Defender 110, order books open for the Defender 90
  • Unstoppable capability: Short wheelbase and minimal overhangs result in excellent off-road geometry, making New Defender 90 the most capable Land Rover ever made
  • Six-seat practicality: Thanks to innovative front central jump seat, New Defender 90 has room for six people in a body shorter than many compact family cars
  • Success story: Defender 110 orders have exceeded initial targets and customers have completed a record 1.21 million configurations on the Land Rover website
  • Most accessorised: Over half of all Defender 110 models specified online have been fitted with one of the four Accessory Packs, with the Urban Pack the most popular
  • Order online: Defender 90 is priced from £40,290 in the UK. Commercial derivatives will arrive later this year priced from £35,000 (plus VAT) in the UK

Order books for the Land Rover Defender 90 have opened following the successful launch of the Defender 110. New Defender is the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made and delivers 21st century connectivity with unstoppable off-road performance.

The first Defender 110 models will be delivered to customers from spring this year with three-door, short-wheelbase Defender 90 models due to arrive later this summer.

Since its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2019, Land Rover has experienced unprecedented demand for the new 4×4. More than 1.21 million people have configured a vehicle on the Land Rover website, and over half of those chose one of the four Accessory Packs.

The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs give New Defender a range of distinct personalities. For the Defender 110, the Urban Pack – which includes a front undershield, bright rear scuff plate and metal pedals, plus a spare wheel cover – has been the most popular choice, selected in more than 35 per cent of the configurations that included an Accessory Pack, followed closely by the Explorer Pack.

We have experienced unprecedented demand for New Defender 110 and the official introduction of Defender 90 is sure to boost interest. As the family grows to include an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain and commercial derivatives later this year, we look forward to continuing this success. If our experience with the Defender 110 is anything to go by, we can expect over half of customers to opt for one of the four Accessory Packs, making New Defender the most accessorised and personalised Land Rover we have ever produced.

FINBAR MCFALL
LAND ROVER GLOBAL PRODUCT MARKETING DIRECTOR

New Defender is the most capable and connected Land Rover to date and can trace its roots back to the original Series I model of 1948. The 110 and 90 body designs will be available as practical commercial models later this year while a highly efficient Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will also join the line-up.

The iconic 4×4 embraces 21st century technologies and introduces Land Rover’s Pivi infotainment, which features an intuitive interface and its own back-up battery for always-on responses. Advanced software-over-the-air updates also ensure customers benefit from the latest software at all times, wherever they are in the world.

The New Defender 90 is priced from £40,290 in the UK and the Defender 110 is priced from £45,240.

(Land Rover Press Release)



CategoriesNews

New Land Rover Defender. It does all its own stunts

All New Defender 110 flies into action in latest James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’

  • Unstoppable capability: Land Rover’s pioneering off-road tech, wading ability and extreme durability made the new Defender the natural choice for the chase sequence in No Time To Die
  • VIN 007: 10 Defenders were used in the making of No Time To Die including the seventh Defender built VIN 007
  • In demand: Since the reveal of the new Defender in September 2019, Land Rover has seen unprecedented interest with demand of the new model set to outstrip supply. Proud owners will receive their keys from Spring 2020
  • Order your Defender as seen in No Time To Die: at www.landrover.com/Defender
  • No Time To Die: In Cinemas April 2020

Behind the Scenes: Watch the Defender TV commercial featuring rehearsal footage from the movie including a 30m jump

Land Rover’s television commercial for the new Defender demonstrates its capability on tough terrain. The commercial features an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what to expect from the new Defender in No Time To Die.

The rehearsal footage included in the advert shows the new Defender launching into the air. The Defenders are put to further extreme tests as the vehicle is driven at top speeds through swamps and rivers. 

The chase sequence in No Time To Die was led by stunt coordinator Lee Morrison, working alongside Oscar-winner Chris Corbould, the special effects and action vehicles supervisor.

We pushed the Defender further than we believed possible to generate the maximum excitement, and to give fans an insight into the uncompromising challenge of producing an incredible chase sequence which you can look forward to seeing in No Time To Die.

LEE MORRISON
STUNT COORDINATOR

Land Rover’s pioneering off-road tech, wading ability and extreme durability made the new Defender the natural choice for the chase sequence in No Time To Die

We developed a new test standard for Defender, the most challenging we’ve ever had and unique to this vehicle. Physical strength and durability is measured by a number of different tests including a bridge jump test which gave us confidence to deliver what the stunt team needed to create for No Time To Die, with no modifications to the body structure except the installation of a roll cage.

NICK COLLINS
LAND ROVER DEFENDER VEHICLE LINE DIRECTOR

Putting these vehicles through their paces was the inspirational Jessica Hawkins, who Morrison handpicked from the Formula 3 W Series after spotting her potential and he wasted no time in giving her the opportunity to feature in No Time To Die, her first ever motion picture.

It doesn’t get any more exhilarating than being a stunt driver in a James Bond movie and it’s an honour to be a part of this incredible movie driving the new Defender.

JESSICA HAWKINS

(Land Rover Press Release)

CategoriesNews

Brains and Brawn: Rugged New Defender Showcase World-First Dual Esim Connectivity at CES 2020

Capable and connected New Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 attend CES 2020, the world’s largest consumer electronics show

  • Twin LTE modem connectivity: New Defender features world-first dual-modem, dual eSIM design for enhanced connectivity and functionality. Powered by two Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 820Am Automotive Platforms, each with an integrated Snapdragon X12 modem
  • 21st century Defender: With two LTE modems, Defender can download Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates on the move without interruption and while streaming music and apps through its state-of-the-art Pivi Pro infotainment
  • Tech show: Defender 110 and 90 will feature at CES 2020 in Las Vegas from 7-10 January, in the Qualcomm (LVCC, North Hall, 5606) and BlackBerry (LVCC, North Hall 7515) booths
  • Remote connectivity: New 4×4 features 16 electronic modules that can be updated anywhere in the world, and uses cloud-based technology from CloudCar to provide personalisation, content and services
  • Advanced assistance: Comprehensive range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems developed with Bosch includes a 3D Surround Camera system that operates as a mobile scout for the driver
  • Order online: New Defender 110 is priced from £45,240 in the UK. To configure and order yours online, click here: www.landrover.com/Defender

The Land Rover Defender family will showcase its 21st century dual-eSIM connectivity at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, the world’s largest consumer electronics show.

New Defender is the first vehicle with two embedded LTE modems for enhanced connectivity, while Jaguar Land Rover’s new Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment has an industry-leading design and shares electronic hardware with the latest smartphones.

The fast-responding and intuitive Pivi Pro system allows customers to make full use of New Defender’s Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) technology, without compromising its ability to stream music and connect to apps on the move. 

With its own designated LTE modem and eSIM, the SOTA technology can operate in the background, without affecting the day-to-day connectivity provided by the separate modem and eSIM in the infotainment module.

The always-on and always-connected Pivi Pro set-up sits at the heart of New Defender’s cabin and its 10-inch high-resolution touchscreen allows customers to control all aspects of the vehicle using the same processing hardware as the latest smartphones. In addition, customers can connect two mobile devices to the infotainment head unit at once using Bluetooth, so the driver and passenger can enjoy hands-free functionality concurrently without the need to swap connections.

With one LTE modem and eSIM dedicated to the Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) technology and the same set-up looking after music streaming and apps, New Defender has the digital capacity to keep customers connected, updated and entertained at all times anywhere in the world. You could liken the design to a brain, with each half enjoying its own connection for unrivalled and uninterrupted service. Like the brain, one side of the system looks after logical functions, like SOTA, while the other takes care of more creative tasks.

PETER VIRK
DIRECTOR OF CONNECTED CAR AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY, JAGUAR LAND ROVER

Pivi Pro has its own battery, so the system is always on and able to respond immediately on start-up. As a result, the navigation is ready to accept new destinations the moment the driver sits in the vehicle, with no delay. Customers can also download updates, so the system is always using the latest software – including navigation mapping data – without the need to visit retailers for updates to be installed.

The LTE connectivity behind Jaguar Land Rover’s infotainment also allows New Defender to roam across multiple networks in different regions to optimise connectivity, so customers suffer minimal interruptions caused by coverage blackspots from individual providers. In addition, the cloud-based architecture provided by CloudCar makes it easy to access and use content and services on the move and will even support in-car parking payments when New Defender hits UK streets this spring.

Land Rover has also confirmed the first New Defenders will feature more SOTA capability than originally projected. At its Frankfurt Motor Show launch in September, Land Rover announced that 14 individual electronic control modules would be able to receive remote updates, but the first production vehicles will feature 16 control units capable of receiving SOTA updates. Land Rover engineers estimate that in-dealer software updates will be a thing of the past for Defender customers before the end of 2021 as additional SOTA modules come online, rising from the current 16 to more than 45.

Land Rover will showcase its advanced Pivi Pro technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with the New Defender 110 and 90 taking pride of place on the Qualcomm (LVCC, North Hall, 5606) and BlackBerry (LVCC, North Hall 7515) stands respectively.

QUALCOMM TECHNOLOGIES

Powering the Defender’s Pivi Pro infotainment and Vehicle Domain Controller are two high-performance Qualcomm® Snapdragon 820Am Automotive Platforms, each with an integrated Snapdragon® X12 LTE modem. The Snapdragon 820Am Automotive Platform delivers unprecedented performance and technology integration designed to support highly advanced telematics, infotainment and digital clusters. It delivers rich, immersive and seamless connected in-vehicle experiences, while making next-generation vehicles more connected, smart and contextually aware. With its power-efficient CPU cores, stunning and state-of-the-art GPU performance, integrated machine learning and powerful video processing capabilities, the Snapdragon 820Am Automotive Platform is designed to provide unmatched connected in-car experiences, including responsive interfaces, immersive 4K graphics, high-definition media streaming, and immersive audio. Two X12 LTE modems provide parallel high-bandwidth downlink and uplink connectivity across multiple networks, ultra-fast connectivity and lower latency for secure, reliable communications. Additionally, the X12 LTE modem features an integrated global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and automotive dead reckoning, increasing the vehicle’s capability to accurately keep track of its location and position.

BLACKBERRY QNX

The Defender is the first Land Rover to include a domain controller that consolidates a number of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and driver convenience functions built on top of the QNX Hypervisor, providing the kind of in-car experience drivers want, with the security, safety and reliability they need. Consolidating more systems onto fewer ECUs is integral to the future of automotive electrical design and will be the model for Land Rover’s next-generation vehicle architecture. Within New Defender, the Blackberry QNX operating system helps deliver a smartphone-like experience for Pivi Pro infotainment users. The technology also powers the operating system for the latest generation TFT Interactive Driver Display, which can be configured by the driver to show vehicle instrumentation, navigation instructions and mapping information or a combination of the two. Certified to the highest level of ISO 26262 – ASIL D, the QNX operating system provides the ultimate peace of mind to Defender drivers. The first ASIL D-certified QNX Hypervisor for Safety ensures the multiple Operating Systems (OS) powering the safety-critical factors (e.g. body domain control) are isolated from non-safety critical systems (e.g. infotainment). This is critical to ensuring that compromised systems, or those requiring updates, won’t impact driving functions. As a leader in safety-certified, secure and reliable embedded software, BlackBerry QNX technology is embedded in more than 150 million vehicles on the road today and used by top automakers for their advanced driver assistance, digital instrument clusters, connectivity modules, hands-free, and infotainment systems.

CLOUDCAR

Jaguar Land Rover is the first global car maker to use CloudCar’s latest cloud-based services platform. Working with the world-leading developer of connected driver experiences brings new levels of customer convenience to the Pivi Pro infotainment fitted to New Defender. By scanning with smartphone QR codes displayed on Pivi Pro, user accounts are compatible with music streaming services including Spotify, TuneIn and Deezer that are automatically recognised and added to the cloud – transferring the driver’s digital life to their vehicle in a heartbeat. From this point, customers can access and stream content without even having their smartphone in the vehicle. Content provider updates are carried out in the cloud, so they are always up to date – even if the corresponding smartphone app has not been updated. The CloudCar system supports a variety of service and content functionalities and recognises dial-in numbers and codes, as well as locations, stored within calendar meeting invites. Drivers and passengers can then navigate to or dial-in to meetings and conference calls with a single touch of the central touchscreen, minimising distractions. In the UK, Defender owners will even be able to pay for parking using the central touchscreen through apps including RingGo, without leaving their vehicle. Customers can also take their digital landscape with them when swapping between Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, providing instant familiarity in multi-car households within whichever vehicle is being driven. New Defender is the first vehicle to make use of the latest-generation technology, marking the next step in Jaguar Land Rover’s ongoing partnership with CloudCar, which dates back to 2017.

BOSCH

Land Rover is on the road to a connected and autonomous future and New Defender features a raft of safety-boosting technologies developed with Bosch to enhance the driving experience. Alongside the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which include Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Assist, Bosch has supported the development of Land Rover’s innovative 3D Surround Camera System, which gives drivers a unique view of the vehicle’s immediate perimeter using four wide-angle HD cameras, each providing a 190-degree field-of-view. Connected using a 3Gbit/s video backbone and fused with 14 ultrasonic sensors, the clever technology gives drivers a choice of vantage points including a top-down plan view and seamless perspective view. It even performs as a virtual scout, allowing drivers to pan around the vehicle on screen for the ultimate Command Driving Position on and off-road. Land Rover and Bosch have a relationship that stretches back decades and has pioneered numerous propulsion and motion control features that will go on to become the industry standard, including ClearSight Ground View, Land Rover’s Wade Sensing technology and Advanced Tow Assist features – all are enabled by the Bosch driver assistance platform.

PHOTOS



CategoriesNews

New Defender Makes North American Debut at La Auto Show

The Los Angeles Auto Show celebrates the return of the Defender to the US

Land Rover showcases the highly anticipated New Defender at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Several variants of the New Defender make their North American debut, including the Defender 90 First Edition, the Defender 110 and also the vehicle from the upcoming James Bond movie – No Time to Die.

Reimagined for the 21st century, the New Defender offers the most off-road capable Land Rover vehicle ever while staying true to the brand’s iconic design and reputation for rugged go-anywhere utility.

The show stand also features the Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover SVAutobiography, Range Rover Sport PHEV and the Range Rover Evoque.

PHOTO GALLERY

Land Rover Press Release