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2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Tested: It’s a Stretch

The brand’s marquee off-roader goes to greater length to carry a crowd.

The classic Land Rover Defender came in various sizes and shapes, so it’s in keeping with tradition that the new one should too. Upon its debut, the reborn Defender appeared both as the mainstay four-door 110 and the two-door 90—which is lesser in length but greater in charm. The Defender 110 does offer the option of a supplemental rear bench wedged into the cargo area, though it’s all but useless. To create a genuine three-row seating package required a third body style, and that’s what we now have with the taffy-stretched Defender 130.

We’ve praised the current Defender’s design, which manages the not-so-easy feat of looking wholly modern and yet unmistakably kin to the off-road icon that first appeared in the 1940s. That sentiment applies both to the Defender 90 and the 110, but the 130’s extra length—it is 13.3 inches longer than the 110, 30.5 inches longer than the 90—throws off its proportions. (For some of us, it calls to mind the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L.) With the long rear overhang, one can almost imagine that opening the side-hinged cargo door and plopping a particularly heavy item onto the rear load floor could result in the Land Rover popping a wheelie.

Of course, that would never happen, in part because the Defender itself is so heavy. At 5931 pounds, our Defender 130 is 158 pounds heavier than the last Defender 110 to cross our scales.

The 130’s engine offerings are trimmed from the bottom and the top, which means there’s no turbo four and no V-8. Motivating this Land Rover’s mass, therefore, is one of two 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines: the 296-hp P300 and the 395-hp P400. In most cases, it’ll be the P400, which is in all but the lowest trim level.

The turbo-boosted inline-six also features an electrically driven supercharger, which effectively combats turbo lag. There’s also a 48-volt motor-generator; despite its presence, restarts from the auto stop-start system could be snappier. The long-travel accelerator seems designed for careful modulation in delicate off-pavement situations, with a demure tip-in. Push past that, however, and this boosted six proves smooth and muscular. Working in concert with a superb ZF-built eight-speed automatic, it shrugs off the 130’s avoirdupois and proves more than up to the task of propelling our well-loaded example. Whereas a 2020 Defender 110 SE (with the same engine) needs 6.3 seconds to hit 60 and 14.8 seconds to power through the quarter-mile, this 130 charges to 60 mph in 6.2 clicks and shaves 0.2 seconds off the quarter-mile time. It’s also rated to tow 8200 pounds.

Predictably, EPA estimates are grim at 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (with either engine), and in our 75-mph fuel-economy test, the XL Landie quaffed a gallon of premium every 19 miles. That sounds bad, but it’s actually 1 mpg better than our result with a Defender 110X with the same powertrain. We should note the 110X was equipped with the Explorer package that includes a roof rack, snorkel, and side-mounted gear carrier.

We didn’t have an opportunity to drive the Defender 130 in its natural environment—climbing the mountains of Nepal, say, or traversing the jungles of Borneo. Those who do travel in extremis will want to be mindful of their extra-long steed’s commensurately shallower departure angle—28.5 degrees versus 40.0 degrees for the 110—lest the larger Rover drag its bodacious booty on a rock. Otherwise, though, the 130 should be as capable as its siblings off-road. That is to say, very, as we discovered piloting a Defender 110 through the muck on Michigan’s Drummond Island. The standard all-wheel-drive system includes a two-speed transfer case, and the center differential is lockable. A locking rear differential is available as part of the $1500 Off-Road package. Ground clearance is 11.4 inches, and like its siblings the 130 can ford 35.4 inches of water.

The Defender 130 gets air springs, along with Land Rover’s Adaptive Dynamics, as standard. The sophisticated suspension keeps the ride from getting bouncy, and it effectively isolates passengers from broken pavement. The steering is pleasantly weighted and precise for such a serious off-roader, but when cornering, the Defender 130 feels every inch of its size and will have you slowing considerably for curves. At the track, the 130 recorded a modest 0.71 g of lateral grip.

The Defender’s brake-by-wire system, which in the 2020 model we found difficult to modulate, brings no complaints this time around. The setup also proves highly effective in panic stops, hauling the Land Rover down from 70 mph in just 167 feet.

None of the above is a great deviation from other Defender models. The big change here is the interior package: The 130 clearly was designed to accommodate three rows of seating. Its back bench has sufficient headroom and an additional 11.2 inches legroom for teens or even average-size adults, although foot room is tight. Split 40/20/40 or optionally 60/40, the seat has belts for three, which seems optimistic unless they’re all waifish models. Land Rover includes USB-C ports and even optional seat heaters back there, plus a supplemental sunroof, so it doesn’t feel too much like steerage. One other change from lesser Defenders is that the 130 doesn’t offer the unusual three-person front bench seat (which would have pushed total capacity to nine), nor can second-row captain’s chairs be had.

Even with the extra-long body, with all seats deployed, passengers won’t be able to pack much more than a toothbrush and a change of underwear. Behind the rearmost seat there’s space for just three carry-on bags. In max-cargo mode, there’s 81 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, which is only two cubic feet more than in the three-row Defender 110. That’s about as much as you’d find in a Nissan Pathfinder but less than in some other mid-sizers, such as the Hyundai Palisade, Chevrolet Traverse, or Volkswagen Atlas, and with the seats folded, the Land Rover’s load floor isn’t flat.

As in its less lengthy stablemates, the Defender interior is ruggedly practical, featuring grab handles, durable-looking finishes, and numerous storage cubbies. Yet it manages to avoid seeming basic thanks to extensive padded surfaces. It’s distinctly different from other upscale SUVs.

Distinctly different describes the Defender overall, and the pricing is certainly upscale. The 130 skips the steel-wheels stripper trim level and starts instead with the S, for $69,475, which is a premium of $9700 over the 110 S. From there, it climbs through SE, X-Dynamic SE, and First Edition trim levels to top out with the X, which retails for $101,375 before options. Beyond the extra spend, though, there aren’t many compromises to be made here. With the 130, Land Rover successfully stretches the Defender in size and capability.

Specifications

2023 Land Rover Defender 130 First Edition
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 8-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $86,175/$92,075
Options: 22-inch Gloss Sparkle Silver wheels, $2000; Towing Pack 2 (tow hitch receiver, advanced tow assist, configurable terrain response), $1850; Carpathian Grey paint, $1050; Cold Climate pack (heated windshield, washer jets, and steering wheel, headlight washers), $500; 60/40-split, heated third-row seat, $300; full-size spare, $200

ENGINE
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2996 cm3
Power: 395 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.3-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX
HL275/45R-22 115W M+S LR

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.0 in
Length: 210.9 in
Width: 79.1 in
Height: 77.6 in
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 81/44/14 ft3
Curb Weight: 5931 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 97 mph
100 mph: 15.7 sec
130 mph: 33.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.71 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 19 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 370 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19/17/21 mpg

Article Credits: Joe Lorio
Full Articles: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a42555354/2023-land-rover-defender-130-by-the-numbers/



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These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2023 Land Rover Defender 75th Limited Edition

Land Rover is bringing a Defender 75th Limited Edition to us and the iconic off-roader will have special features and an all-new engine package.

The Defender is a British four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle developed by Land Rover in the 1950s. It’s inspired by the original Land Rover Series I, which they produced from 1948 to 1983. The Defender is one of the most iconic vehicles ever made, and it’s been a popular choice for adventurers, farmers, and military forces around the world for decades. The Defender has experienced many changes over the years since it first went into production in 1948.

In honor of its 75th anniversary, Land Rover is releasing a limited edition Defender 75th Anniversary Edition that comes with several unique features. Among the new features are its limited edition interior and exterior trim, an all-new engine package option, and some other innovative features from the dependable Land Rover. Let’s take an in-depth look at our favorite features of this limited-edition vehicle.

Grasmere Green Trim For The Land Rover Defender 75th Edition

The Defender is an iconic Land Rover model and has been around since 1948. They have refined the vehicle over time, but its basic chassis and body shape have changed little over the years. This makes it one of the most recognizable vehicles on the road today.

Land Rover launched the Defender 75th Limited Edition to celebrate the Defender’s 75th birthday. This new model will be available in two body styles–90 and 110–and will feature an exceptional green trim color dubbed Grasmere Green. It’s meant to celebrate the longevity of this legendary off-roader and its place in history.

The Grasmere Green trim draws inspiration from the original green paint used on some early Defenders. The trim is also found throughout the interior, including door panels and inlays for the seats, as well as on the dashboard. In addition to this unique exterior color scheme, all 75th-edition Defenders will come equipped with an optional folding fabric roof or sliding panoramic sunroof.

Engine Options For The Land Rover Defender 75th Edition

The Defender 75th Limited Edition will be available with two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline hybrid engine or a 3.0-liter straight-six mild hybrid diesel engine. The P400e plug-in hybrid combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack to produce 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, which is enough for a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.6 seconds according to Land Rover.

The other option is Land Rover’s D300 3.0-liter straight-six mild hybrid diesel engine. This diesel makes 297 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, which is enough for a 0 to 60 mph time of 7 seconds, which is no slow poke. Both these options left us wondering if they might later release a V8 version as another special option for the 75th edition. It would be a fitting time to do it like a final send-off, especially with emission cuts looming.

The Land Rover Defender 75th Edition Specs

They based the Land Rover Defender 75th Edition on the high-specification HSE model Defender, which includes the already unique exterior styling and bespoke interior trim that we mentioned above. It also comes with an array of innovative technology, including Configurable Terrain Response, which can adapt your ride to suit different surfaces (sand, mud, or snow). You can also adjust the settings to suit your driving style or conditions (off-road or on-road).

It also comes with a Meridian sound system for the best quality music, and a 3D surround camera system that allows you to have a full view of your surroundings. It comes with bespoke Matrix LED front lighting that helps give the car a classic Defender feel and look, and a superb 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system. And finally a wireless device charger and a heads-up display.

75 Years Of Land Rover Defender

​​​​​​​The Land Rover Defender was first launched in 1948 and went on to become one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced. The Land Rover Defender was originally designed as a farm vehicle to work on rough terrain, but soon became popular among civilians because of its durability and off-road capabilities. This SUV is famous for its boxy shape, which makes it easy to repair if damaged by an accident or off-road driving conditions.

Over 75 years, each generation of the Defender represents a different era in automotive history. The Land Rover Defender 75th Anniversary Edition is a celebration of over 75 years of Land Rover innovation, design, and engineering. The vehicle features a unique exterior design inspired by the old Defender, while the interior is modern with subtle hints of Grasmere here and there. And as always, there are new innovative features from Land Rover. We absolutely can’t wait to get our hands on one.

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Article Credits: Richard Reynolds
Full Articles: https://www.hotcars.com/favorite-features-2023-land-rover-defender-75th-limited-edition/



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This Corvette-Swapped 1989 Land Rover Defender Will Help You Survive The Apocalypse In Luxury

The original Land Rover Defenders were never meant to be luxurious or powerful, but that hasn’t stopped people from trying

Once upon a time, SUVs used to be simple, basic, and utilitarian. In no way were they designed to swaddle the owner in leather, suede, and wood with comfortable seats and advanced creature comforts. Then came the Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, and an endless slew of luxury crossovers. The Land Rover Defender was one of the first widely used, bare-bones, purely-functional SUVs that was mostly used by farmers and explorers. Recently though, defenders have gained loads of attention from the aftermarket community because of how basic and authentic they are. This Defender 110 is a prime example, and it’s currently for sale with a list of modifications nearly as massive as the SUV itself.

A Land Rover With Corvette Power

Classic Defenders came with a variety of engines, and none of them were powerful. However, this custom comes equipped with the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V-8 from a Chevrolet C7 Corvette Z06., meaning a peak output of 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. This engine has been fitted with a stainless-steel exhaust system with custom mufflers, so it could produce even more grunt. Regardless of how much power can be produced, all of it is sent to all four wheels through an 8L90-E eight-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case.

To the surprise of nobody, the Z06’s engine did not naturally fit in the Defender’s engine bay, so E.C.D. Automotive Design of Kissimmee, Florida fitted custom engine mounts along with an aluminum radiator, replacement fuel pump, new fuel lines, and cooling lines. The handling seems like it could be less of a shocker. Black wheels are wrapped in 265/65 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires, and the suspension has reportedly been overhauled. But specifics such as what changes were made or which components were replaced or modified are not mentioned. Fortunately, all four wheels are fitted with grooved disc brakes with Alcon calipers.

This Land Rover Defender Has A Overhauled Interior And Exterior

The exterior has received a thorough makeover. The most notable change is the external steel roll cage which matches the black roof panel. The body is painted Nara Bronze with black diamond plating behind the rear doors, on the side skirts, and front fenders. Additional modifications include tubular side steps, a new hood, sliding rear windows, a front brush bar, mud flaps, projector-style headlights, and LED auxiliary lights, brake lights, and turn signals.

The interior in most classic defenders is about as basic and simple as you can get; a steering wheel, some pedals, a gear stick, crank windows, and not much else. This model has four new bucket seats trimmed in black diamond-stitched leather, the same as the door panels. The dashboard, center console, and pretty much everything else is trimmed in black leather, and the headline is Alcantara. Comfort upgrades over the standard car consist of sound deadening, a rubber floor liner, an Alpine touch-screen stereo that looks wildly out of place, and a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer. At least one of the previous owners had a sense of humor as the carbon fiber MOMO steering wheel frames a 200-mile-per-hour speedometer as well as other auxiliary gauges.

Article Credits: Josh Conturo
Full Articles: https://www.topspeed.com/this-corvette-swapped-1989-land-rover-defender-will-help-you-survive-the-apocalypse-in-luxury/



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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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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#