This is the new Land Rover Defender. An icon reimagined for the 21st century; it has been cleverly engineered with capability and safety for all the family at its heart.
New Defender is built for the adventurous and curious, for those who know the value of community and strive to make a difference.
The unmistakable silhouette is familiar yet new. It looks tough and is tough but designed with purpose and engineered to excite. Iconic in name, shape and capability, Defender can be personalised to allow owners to make the most of their world.
Across seven decades of pioneering innovation, Land Rovers have earned a unique place in the hearts of explorers, humanitarian agencies and adventurous families across the world. Proven in the harshest environments on earth, the new Defender maintains this bloodline.
Beside the peerless luxury and refinement of the Range Rover family and the highly capable and versatile Discovery SUVs, new Land Rover Defender completes the Land Rover dynasty. The 110 is just the start for this family of the most capable and durable 4x4s in the world. It will be swiftly followed by a short wheelbase 90, before a pair of practical commercial models join the line-up in 2020.
Driven by a passion and respect for the original, new Defender delivers transformational breadth of capability and advanced all-terrain technologies to redefine adventure for the 21st century, while remaining true to the pioneering spirit that has been a Land Rover hallmark for 71 years.
Emotionally charged design
A distinctive silhouette makes the new Defender instantly recognisable, with minimal front and rear overhangs providing excellent approach and departure angles. Land Rover’s designers re-envisioned familiar Defender trademarks for the 21st century, giving the new 4×4 a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining the side-hinged rear tailgate and externally-mounted spare wheel that make the original so identifiable.
Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover, said: “The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it. This is a new Defender for a New Age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment.”
The stripped-back personality of the original Land Rover Defender has been embraced inside, where structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been exposed, with the emphasis on simplicity and practicality. Innovative features include a dash-mounted gear shifter to accommodate an optional central front ‘jump’ seat, which provides three-abreast seating across the front like early Land Rovers.
As a result, the Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating configurations, with a loadspace behind the second-row seats of up to 1,075 litres, and as much as 2,380-litres when the second row is folded. The 90 will be able to accommodate six occupants in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback.
User-friendly features include practical touches and advanced technological innovations. Durable rubberised flooring shrugs off the spills of daily adventures and once-in-a-lifetime expeditions, providing a brush or wipe clean interior. An optional Folding Fabric Roof provides an open-top feel and allows passengers in the second-row seats of the 110 to stand up when parked to provide the full safari experience.
The definition of durability
Land Rover’s new purpose-engineered D7x (for extreme) architecture is 95 per cent new and based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create the stiffest body structure Land Rover has ever produced. It is three times stiffer than traditional body-on-frame designs, providing perfect foundations for the fully independent air or coil sprung suspension and supports the latest electrified powertrains.
The new Defender has been through more than 62,000 tests for engineering sign-off, while the chassis and body architecture have been engineered to withstand Land Rover’s Extreme Event Test procedure – repeated and sustained impacts, above and beyond the normal standard for SUV and passenger cars.
During development testing, prototype models have covered more than 1.2 million kilometres across some of the harshest environments on earth, ranging from the 50-degree heat of the desert and sub 40-degree cold of the Arctic to altitudes of 10,000ft in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
A world-class expert off and on-road
Configurable Terrain Response debuts on new Land Rover Defender, allowing experienced off-roaders to fine-tune individual vehicle settings to perfectly suit the conditions, while inexperienced drivers can let the system detect the most appropriate vehicle settings for the terrain, using the intelligent Auto function.
The new body architecture provides ground clearance of 291mm and world-class off-road geometry, giving the 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees (Off Road ) respectively. Its maximum wading depth of 900mm is supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence.
On dry land, Land Rover’s advanced ClearSight Ground View technology helps drivers take full advantage of Defender’s all-conquering capability by showing the area usually hidden by the bonnet, directly ahead of the front wheels, on the central touchscreen.
As a result, the new Defender redefines breadth of capability, raising the threshold for both off-road ruggedness and on-road comfort. It can negotiate crowded city streets as effortlessly as climbing mountains, crossing deserts and withstanding freezing temperatures. Its carefully honed handling delivers both a rewarding drive and first-class long-haul comfort across all terrains.
Power and efficiency
A choice of advanced petrol and cleaner diesel engines ensure new Land Rover Defender has the power, control and efficiency for any environment, while a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will join the range next year providing the prospect of silent EV-only progress.
At launch, the petrol line-up comprises a four-cylinder P300 and a powerful six-cylinder P400 featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology. Alternatively, customers can choose from a pair of four-cylinder diesels – the D200 and powerful D240 – both of which deliver fuel economy of 37.2mpg (7.6 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 199g/km (NEDC equivalent).
Innovative engineering solutions support the efficiency drive, including a flat underbody which optimises aerodynamic performance across the line-up.
21st century technology
New Defender is as technologically advanced as it is durable and introduces Jaguar Land Rover’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system. The next generation touchscreen is more intuitive and user-friendly, requiring fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while its always-on design guarantees almost instant responses.
In addition, the new Defender takes Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) technology to a new level, with 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates. By downloading data while customers are asleep at home or in far-flung locations, the new Defender will get better with age: as electronic updates cascade down to the vehicle immediately, without delay and with no need to visit a Land Rover retailer.
Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We’ve embraced Defender’s stunning capability and minimalistic, functional interior to reinvent the icon for the 21st century. New Defender gives us the licence to do things differently, to push the boundaries and do the unthinkable, without ever losing the character and authenticity of the original. From the start we had an absolute obsession with functionality beneath the skin, from choosing the right materials through to state of the art connectivity. The result is not only the most capable Land Rover ever made, but also a truly comfortable, modern vehicle that people will love to drive.”
Personalised for your world
New Land Rover Defender will be available in 90 and 110 body designs, with up to six seats in the 90 and the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the 110. The model range comprises Defender, S, SE, HSE, First Edition and top of the range Defender X models and customers will be able to personalise their vehicle in more ways than any previous Land Rover with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements. The exclusive First Edition model features a unique specification and will be available throughout the first model year of production.
Customers will even be able to opt for a new Satin Protective Film to make the exterior paintwork even more durable. The sustainable, solvent-free and completely recyclable wrap helps protect against everything from car park scratches to bramble rash and will be available as a factory-fit option with Indus Silver, Gondwana Stone and Pangea Green colours, providing a unique contemporary finish as it protects new Land Rover Defender’s paintwork.
In addition to the Accessory Packs, new Defender is available with the widest choice of individual accessories ever assembled for a new Land Rover, with everything from a Remote Control Electric Winchº, Rooftop Tent and Inflatable Waterproof Awnings to more conventional tow bar systems and roof racks.
DESIGN
Land Rover has defined all-terrain capability and toughness from the conception of its very first 4×4. The Series and Defender models before it, have gone above and beyond for decades, securing iconic status for their ability to help people make more of their world. The new Defender takes these much loved characteristics and reimagines them for the 21st century.
The result is a visually compelling vehicle that couldn’t be anything else but a modern Defender for a world that has changed massively since the original was created.
With its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, the new Land Rover Defender has toughness at its core while its interior’s rugged modular architecture embraces the spirit of adventure that has been a fundamental part of Land Rover DNA for more than 70 years.
Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Office, Land Rover, said: “The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it. This is a new Defender for a New Age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment”.
New Defender’s high sills, short overhangs and externally mounted rear wheel facilitate all conquering off road capability, its elemental yet sophisticated surfaces combined with a strong horizontal emphasis communicate the Defender’s tough and purposeful character.
The new Land Rover Defender is available in perfectly proportioned 90 and 110 body designs, which share the same short overhangs, with six models available; Defender, S, SE, HSE, Defender X and First Edition, with practical commercial models set to join the line-up next year.
Customers can also select from the widest range of accessories ever produced by Land Rover, including a choice of four Accessory Packs; Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban.
These additional characters have been designed to give customers even more choice, all are compelling and equally desirable and demonstrate the ability of this vehicle to embrace different personalities without compromising the integrity of the overall vehicle design.
Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover, said: “This is our vision of a modern Defender. The clean body side contrasts dramatically against the sheer verticality of its front and particularly its rear to create a reassuringly purposeful stance. The overall impression is of an elemental design, yet this clean reductive approach is underpinned by sophisticated surfacing of the highest quality.”
Land Rover Defender’s characterful front is tough but approachable, emphasised by the geometric forms of its highly technical headlamps which feature the latest adaptive technology, while beautifully sculptured fenders combined with squared wheel arches and strong shoulders all contribute to the vehicle’s sense of solidity and robustness.
At the rear the geometric forms of the distinctive high-tech lamps harmonise perfectly with the front end design.
The sheerness of the rear vertically maintains the short overhang for a superior departure angle while maximising interior space and accentuating the vehicle’s strong shoulder section.
Every detail of the exterior design has been creatively developed to re-enforce Defender’s DNA; sophisticated, durable and extremely tough, a vehicle design like no other.
Massimo Frascella, Creative Director, Land Rover Design, said: “For us designers, nothing comes close to redesigning the last automotive icon. The design of the new Defender is a manifestation of our modernist design philosophy, elemental yet incredibly sophisticated.”
Exterior finishes
Land Rover has developed a curated exterior palette with unique colours just for new Defender. A lot of body work is exposed in the interior – so the colour palettes are modular between interior and exterior.
On the X derivative the gloss black inset contrast bonnet is standard along with Gloss Black claddings. To give further differentiation between the X and the Core vehicles, the front and rear skid pans and other detailed exterior parts are coated in a Starlight Satin finish.
Satin Wrap
New Land Rover Defender is the first Land Rover available with a factory-fitted Satin Protective Film which delivers enhanced design and durability.
The PU-based wrap is applied to external bodywork and gives the standard metallic paint a rich and contemporary satin finish, showing the sophisticated surfacing of the exterior design in the best possible light.
This durable wrap meets rigorous standards and has been developed for the highest performance in extreme conditions.
The film can be removed at any time, making it significantly quicker to repair than standard paint finishes. It is available with Indus Silver, Gondwana Stone and Pangea Green paint options, is solvent free and contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
A choice of 12 wheel designs is available, ranging from 18-inch white-painted pressed steel rims to 22-inch Luna alloys.
Body colour options include three new metallic shades unique to the Defender with Tasman Blue, Pangea Green and Gondwana Stone joining Fuji White, Eiger Grey, Santorini Black and Indus Silver in the colour palette.
Constructivist Interior Design
Defenders constructivist modular interior architecture communicates its highly functional nature. Underpinned by its practical layout and reductive design.
This approach is most evident by the exposed, powder-coated magnesium cross car beam which is integral to the overall strength of the body architecture.
This structural die-cast magnesium alloy beam which is available in a range of finishes, features integrated grab handles to aid entry but also for a secure grip when the vehicle is performing serious off-road driving.
The main controls, including the central touchscreen, are ergonomically clustered within the magnesium frame to enable the installation of an innovative optional front row centre seat while also allowing for movement across the front of the cabin.
Practicality is a hallmark of Land Rover interior design and the new Defender comes with an abundance of storage opportunities including a choice of high and low centre consoles.
The durable constructivist theme is consistent throughout the interior with visible fixings that retain the structural door casings while partially exposing the painted doors.
This pared-back design philosophy extends to the durable rubberised flooring which combines with flush door sills to provide genuine mop or brush clean functionality. Other details include; cast magnesium features, padded waist rails, grab handles and arm rests.
The innovative Front Row Centre Seat (otherwise known as jump seat) allows three people to travel in the front row. Conceived and designed as an occasional seat, the practical addition means the Land Rover Defender 110 can be specified with five, six or 5+2 seating while the short-wheelbase Land Rover Defender 90 can accommodate six occupants in a compact family hatchback length body. When not in use, the seatback folds down to provide a front armrest and oddment stowage, including a pair of additional cupholders.
Alan Sheppard, Director, Interior Design, Land Rover, said: “Within, we strived to harness Defender’s profound spirit of boundless adventure. A comfortable interior which is at once impeccably handsome for the discerning, shrewd in functionality and prudently qualified in anticipation of any adversity.”
Comfort is also a key part of new Defender, with interior materials focused on retained newness – so even after thousands of miles of adventure the new Defender is sure to look and feel fresh. Customers can choose from three interior colour schemes with scope for personalisation, available by mixing these with different interior finish options.
Material choices include Resolve textile on standard models while S and SE trims feature Grained Leather combined with a durable Robust Woven Textile featuring higher decitex fibres for added strength (in addition to using recycled polyester), in areas subjected to the most wear. This tough and tactile material pays homage to the canvas hoods fitted to early Series Land Rovers.
HSE models feature high grade Windsor Leather, while the Land Rover Defender X features Windsor Leather in combination with Steelcut Premium Textile accent for enhanced durability. This premium textile from Kvadrat is a 30 per cent wool blend and is also available as a full alternative to the leather upholstery paired with Miko Suedecloth.
With a higher tensile tear strength than conventional materials as well as high breathability, wool naturally regulates the climate keeping you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. These fit-for-purpose materials promise to take off-road thrills and on-road spills in their stride.
Customers can also choose from a curated range of veneers and finishes, which include a rugged rough-cut Walnut or Natural Smoked Dark Oak Veneer, both of which are open pore to give a more natural haptic. Powder coating colours available include Dark Grey for the ‘X’ derivative and Light Grey as standard on mainline Defender models, with the option of the product inspired white for all the exposed metal parts.
CAPABILITY
The Defender has always been a symbol of strength and the new model is the toughest and most capable Land Rover yet, combining a new body structure with world-first technologies and proven hardware to create a Defender that is fit for the 21st century.
The lightweight all-aluminium monocoque construction of the new D7x architecture delivers the stiffest Land Rover body ever created, with a torsional rigidity of 30kNm/Degree – making it three times more rigid than traditional body-on-frame designs. These strong foundations provide the perfect basis for the all-independent suspension, twin-speed transfer box and permanent all-wheel drive.
Configurable Terrain Response makes its debut in new Land Rover Defender, allowing drivers to fine-tune the set-up of the vehicle to suit the precise off-road conditions like never before. The Terrain Response 2 system also includes a new Wade programme to provide the ultimate reassurance when driving through water by optimising all of the vehicle systems accordingly.
Delivering transformational breadth of capability and on-road handling, Defender is in a category of its own.
Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We’ve embraced Defender’s stunning capability and minimalistic, functional interior to reinvent the icon for the 21st century. New Defender gives us the licence to do things differently, to push the boundaries and do the unthinkable, without ever losing the character and authenticity of the original. From the start we had an absolute obsession with functionality beneath the skin, from choosing the right materials through to state-of-the-art connectivity. The result is not only the most capable Land Rover ever made, but also a truly comfortable, modern vehicle that people will love to drive.”
The core team of engineers and designers agreed the new Defender family would include 90 and 110 body designs, retain the distinctive silhouette, side-hinged rear door arrangement and include a central front jump seat at the very beginning of the programme.
Strong and tough body structure
To retain the famous Defender silhouette, accommodate a family of body designs and support the latest range of electrified powertrains, Land Rover developed the new all-aluminium D7x platform. It has the unique combination of practicality, flexibility and capability expected from a 4×4 wearing the Defender name and doesn’t share a single body-in-white panel with another Land Rover model. This commitment to engineering integrity means the Land Rover Defender has its own line in body assembly at the new manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia.
Raising the position of the body by 20mm compared to Land Rover’s existing range of large SUVs and relocating elements including the battery and cooling circuits, has enabled Land Rover’s engineers to deliver ultra-short front and rear overhangs, which guarantee impressive approach and departure angles of 38 and 40 degrees respectively. With a wheelbase of 3,022mm (99mm longer than a Discovery) the 110 has a breakover angle of 28 degrees (31 degrees for the 90) ensuring excellent off-road geometry.
The short rear overhang, the same for both body designs, is made possible by mounting the spare wheel externally, rather than under the rear floor, where it is readily accessible off-road, and the trademark side-hinged rear door is engineered to accommodate any of the available wheel and tyre combinations.
The comprehensive choice of 18-, 19-, 20- and 22-inch wheels ranges from utilitarian 18-inch Gloss White Steel rims to 22-inch Gloss Black five-spoke alloy designs. With All-Season or Off-Road tyres available, all with an outside rolling diameter of 815mm, the Defender is available with the biggest contact patch of any Land Rover – for peerless traction and grip in any environment. Specialist Professional Off-Road tyres are also available through Land Rover retailers in selected markets, for customers who need the ultimate capability and robustness.
Sophisticated chassis
The monocoque body construction developed for new Defender is the stiffest aluminium body Land Rover has ever produced and able to withstand 6.5 tonnes snatch load through the recovery points. This strong, stiff structure provides the perfect foundations for the 4×4’s advanced all-independent chassis. The sophisticated double wishbone front and integral link rear suspension optimises off-road performance while delivering excellent handling dynamics and comes with a choice of passive coil or Electronic Air Suspension.
The familiar suspension layout uses all-new components to deliver world class durability with new steel subframes and uprated ball joints and bushes that are designed to withstand severe off-road impacts – the wheels can withstand up to seven tonnes of vertical load into the body. As a result, the new Defender delivers an unmatched breadth of capability, combining long-haul cruising comfort and rewarding handling characteristics with immediate responses and peerless off-road performance.
Adaptive Dynamics is available with Electronic Air Suspension, allowing customers to fine-tune the driving characteristics. The system’s adaptive dampers monitor body movements up to 500 times per second and respond almost instantaneously to optimise control and comfort.
The introduction of air suspension helps to transform the 4×4’s on-road handling and supports its all-terrain capability, providing an off-road ride lift of 75mm and supreme ride comfort across all surfaces. An additional 70mm of lift means the air system can raise the body by a maximum of 145mm when needed, while Elegant Arrival automatically lowers the body by 50mm to aid access.
The confidence-inspiring and sure-footed new Defender excels off-road, where its maximum suspension articulation of 500mm comes into its own. It can tackle 45-degree side slopes and inclines of 45 degrees with customary composure, but the biggest transformation comes on the road, where the new Land Rover Defender is engaging and agile.
Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar Land Rover said: “We wanted to maintain the analogue, connected driving experience of the past and introduce modern handling and comfort. The old Defender was fun to drive, but flawed. New Defender is fun, but without the flaws. The result is a 4×4 that will put a smile on your face on any terrain and leave you feeling refreshed after a long drive, yet tow up to 3,500kg, carry a dynamic roofload of up to 168kg and wade through water up to 900mm deep.”
A transformational breadth of capability sets new Defender apart. Permanent all-wheel drive and a twin-speed automatic gearbox, centre differential and optional Active Locking Rear Differential ensure it has all the hardware required to excel in the soft sand of the desert, the freezing tundra of the arctic and everywhere in between.
Configurable Terrain Response
Land Rover has introduced a series of technologies to help deliver the capability customers expect from a Defender, including the latest generation of its patented Terrain Response system. Configurable Terrain Response technology allows drivers to use the touchscreen of the new Pivi Pro infotainment to fine-tune every aspect of the vehicle to suit its precise surroundings.
In the original Land Rover Defender, drivers could lock the central differential manually using the high-to-low range gear selector. In the new Defender, drivers can prevent cross-axle slip using the Centre Slip Limited and Centre and Rear Slip Limited options on the central touchscreen controller. In addition, there is a choice of three settings for the throttle and gearbox response, steering and traction control, allowing experienced off-roaders and all-terrain novices to tailor the vehicle set-up to suit their requirements. The system allows four individual profiles to be saved, so different drivers can quickly activate their preferred settings.
Alternatively, the intelligent Auto functionality of Terrain Response 2 can recognise the surface and configure the vehicle appropriately with no input from the driver.
The Defender is also the first Land Rover to feature a Wade programme within the Terrain Response 2 menu. The new setting automatically softens the throttle response, sets the heating and ventilation to recirculate cabin air, locks the driveline and adjusts the ride to its off-road setting while activating the Wade Sensing screen on the infotainment system. This allows drivers to see the depth of surrounding water and provides ultimate confidence when fording deep water – allowing drivers to take full advantage of new Defender’s world-class maximum wading depth of 900mm. When exiting Wade programme the new Defender automatically drags the brakes, momentarily, to clean and dry the discs and ensure optimum braking performance is restored quickly after driving through deep water.
Land Rover’s advanced All-Terrain Progress Control and ClearSight Ground View technologies also support drivers in extreme off-road situations, removing the stress of maintaining a low crawl speed and showing the hidden area directly in front of the vehicle using the central touchscreen.
Towing and carrying
The Land Rover Defender’s strong body architecture helps customers make more of their world, whether they want to tow heavy loads or carry them, with a comprehensive range of roof racks and tow bar systems, and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg. State-of-the-art technologies include Advanced Tow Assist, which takes the stress out of difficult reversing manoeuvres by letting drivers steer trailers with their fingertips using a rotary controller on the central console. New for Defender, the intelligent set-up works with 3D visualisation on the central touchscreen.
The ultra-strong body is ready for overland adventures, with a maximum roof load of 168kg making it perfectly suited to both camping trips and visits to the hardware store. The 300kg maximum static roof load allows adventurous souls to make use of the expedition-ready pop-up roof tent accessory, turning Defender into an all-terrain home from home.
Versatile loadspace
The rear loadspace delivers customary Defender practicality with the 110 providing up to 1,075 litres when using the full . Folding the row-two seats provides a generous maximum load volume of up to 2,380-litres and, with a maximum payload of up to 900kg (110 P400), the new Defender lives up to the practical heritage of its iconic predecessors.
For 110 variants the second-row seatbacks are split 40:20:40 for maximum flexibility, while optional loadspace rails on the floor of the luggage space come with a range of load retention accessories to prevent smaller items from moving around inside. A lockable Security Box provides added protection on overland adventures – the heavy-duty steel box secures to the loadspace rails and is big enough to hold laptops, tablets and other valuables†. In addition, all Defenders feature a lockable 5.8-litre glovebox and deep door pockets. The exposed cross car beam also doubles as a shelf to provide 6.9-litres of open oddment stowage.
Land Rover Defender has always been the perfect companion for outdoor adventures and the new model is no different. The clip-in loadspace cover is designed to double as a ground mat for picnics or when changing mucky footwear on wet surfaces. The hose-clean and machine washable material is another example of Defender’s rugged and practical design.
The versatile loadspace is both big and clever. A switch panel inside the rear door allows customers to adjust the rear ride of the Electronic Air Suspension and operate the deployable towbar, for simple trailer hitching, when fitted. Customers can also choose detachable and multi- tow bar designs, allowing them to make full use of the Defender’s 3,500kg maximum towing capability.
Reinventing and updating the hose-clean interior of old Series and Defender models, new Defender also features a durable rubber floor with flush fitting sills, allowing customers to brush or wipe the interior clean after muddy or dusty adventures. Customers in the UK will benefit from carpet inserts for a more premium look and feel, but these are easily removed to reveal the durable flooring beneath when necessary.
Next generation braking performance
New Land Rover Defender is the first Land Rover to introduce next-generation braking technology which provides quicker and quieter responses than conventional systems, improving safety and enhancing the driving experience. An actuator-controlled piston operated by the foot pedal applies braking effort, delivering much finer control.
The system comes into its own during low-speed off-road manoeuvres and, when the Traction Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking systems are triggered, it can lock a wheel within only 150 milliseconds – versus 300 milliseconds with a conventional set-up.
In everyday use, the benefits include Hill Launch Assist with Enhanced Hill Hold, so the vehicle is prevented from rolling back on inclines – leaving the driver to focus solely on pulling away and negotiating objects ahead – with a smoother transition from the brakes to power in all environments.
Tested to extremes
Defender is truly capable of great things and the front and rear recovery points can withstand up to 10 and nine tonnes of pull respectively. During its global development programme, Land Rover engineers were able to complete iconic trails in Moab, USA, for the first time, including Hell’s Revenge, the Poison Spider and the Steel Bender Trails. Closer to home, the Defender met Land Rover’s toughest durability standards during testing at the global design and engineering headquarters at Gaydon. As part of these extreme events, the Defender withstood repeated 200mm kerb strikes at 40km/h (25mph).
ECHNOLOGY
Over seven decades of pioneering innovation, Land Rover has been at the forefront of all-terrain capability and adventure. The new Defender is fit for the 21st century, using the latest technologies to provide new levels of connectivity, capability and convenience.
Land Rover’s next-generation Electronic Vehicle Architecture, dubbed EVA 2.0, underpins the digital revolution, supporting Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates that ensure new Land Rover Defender will get better with age and enabling Land Rover’s fast and intuitive new Pivi Pro infotainment system.
Under the bonnet, a Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) powertrain will be available from launch while a powerful and efficient Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) capable of silent zero-emissions driving in EV-mode will join the range next year, ensuring new Defender is equipped for today and engineered for tomorrow.
Alex Heslop, Director of Electrical Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The new Defender is a future-proofed 4×4 for the 21st century, using the latest technologies to optimise efficiency, enhance capability and revolutionise connectivity. With plug-in hybrid electric powertrains, software updates that are sent over the air and next-generation always-on touchscreen infotainment, new Defender is every bit as pioneering today as the original Land Rover was in 1948.”
Just as the Defender’s breadth of dynamic capability is underpinned by a new body architecture, its connected technologies are enabled by a new state-of-the-art scalable EVA 2.0, which supports the next generation of driver assistance and customer convenience systems. In total, 85 individual ECUs work in harmony to turn the new Defender into an all-terrain super-computer capable of handling 21,000 network messages at any one time – up from 13,000.
Software-Over-The-Air
The future-proof 5G-ready network takes SOTA technology to the next level, ensuring new Land Rover Defender is always operating on the latest software available. Up to 14 onboard electronic control modules, more than any previous Jaguar Land Rover vehicle, can receive updates, without the need to visit a Land Rover retailer. In this way, new Defender will get better with age and even the most adventurous customers can use the technology – all that’s required is a data connection. In isolated locations a satellite-phone could download data for installation.
Within the lifetime of the new Defender, the embedded diagnostics system will be able to alert customers to issues and either prevent or resolve them automatically as a data connection replaces a traditional toolkit.
Software updates are sent to the vehicle and downloaded in the background using the vehicle’s built-in data plan. Once ready, a notification will alert customers to the availability of an update, allowing the installation to be scheduled for a convenient time.
Customers will be able to stay truly connected with the Online Pack which will provide unlimited data for music streaming, weather updates and calendar information on the move. By purchasing the onboard Wi-Fi package, all passengers will be able to stay connected with a separate external antenna providing the best possible service.
Inspired by the latest mobile devices, new Defender employs state-of-the-art consumer technology including high performance Snapdragon processors and advanced QNX operating systems to deliver its connected features.
Pivi Pro Infotainment
Customer technology has also driven the development of Jaguar Land Rover’s fastest and most intuitive infotainment system, which makes its debut in the new Land Rover Defender. The next-generation Pivi Pro software is inspired by the latest smartphones and accessed through the central 10-inch touchscreen with an always-on design that provides instant responses, even when starting the vehicle for the first time.
Supported by a built-in back-up battery, navigation initialisation will take just seconds while an easy-to-follow menu structure ensures customers can carry out the most common tasks directly from the home screen, reducing driver distraction. The easily customised and redesigned layouts reduce the number of steps by an average of 50 per cent versus previous systems and incorporates wireless device charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for intuitive smartphone integration. Its Bluetooth technology can even connect to two smartphones simultaneously.
The new navigation system uses self-learning algorithms and dynamic guidance to optimise routing, while Smart Voice Guidance even knows to cancel audio instructions when drivers are travelling in familiar surroundings. Maps will always be up-to-date thanks to SOTA technology. In combination with the 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display, the advanced system provides high-definition 3D mapping within the instrumentation, leaving the central touchscreen free to control other applications.
The high-resolution digital instruments can be configured to show a pair of conventional dials, full-screen 3D navigation guidance or a combination of the two, allowing drivers to optimise the display to suit the circumstances and their individual preference.
Customers can even keep tabs on the new Defender from afar, using Land Rover’s Remote app technology, which allows owners to monitor its location, fuel level, lock and unlock the vehicle and even initiate the climate control to heat or cool the cabin before setting off.
Driver distractions are kept to the absolute minimum with Land Rover’s Generation 2 Head-up Display (HUD). The full-colour backlit TFT set-up provides key information to the driver, while its new video capability can replicate displays from the central touchscreen – including articulation graphics to assist the driver in off-road environments.
Land Rover’s new Electrical Vehicle Architecture, state-of-the-art forward-facing digital camera, advanced ultrasonic sensors and powerful 3Gbit/s onboard network support a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, with the cameras and sensors governed by a single integrated processor, or domain controller, for optimised security.
These include a 3D Surround Camera that goes above and beyond, providing both 360-degree plan and new 3D exterior perspective views of the surrounding area, both off and on road. The advanced system provides enhanced augmented on-screen visualisation when using Tow Assist, Wade Sensing and Land Rover’s ClearSight Ground View transparent bonnet technology, to improve visibility of the vehicle’s surroundings.
To maintain rearward visibility, all new Defenders fitted with the front jump seat also feature ClearSight Rear View technology. At the touch of a button, the frameless interior mirror switches from a conventional mirror to a digital screen showing a feed provided by a high-definition rear-facing camera mounted high at the back of the vehicle.
The clever technology effectively makes the rear pillars and spare wheel invisible, while also providing a 50-degree wider field of vision to eliminate rear blindspots. The 1.7-megapixel camera also provides superior clarity in low light conditions and has a hydrophobic coating to maintain performance in wet and muddy conditions.
A Driver Assist Pack includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Pre-Collision Monitor, which alerts following drivers who are failing to slow down by automatically flashing the hazard lights, as well as Blind Spot Assist, Rear Traffic Monitor and Clear Exit Monitor.
The comprehensive list of driver assistance technologies includes Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter functions, a Driver Condition Monitor and 360 Park Aid (as standard fitment in UK), while the advanced chassis control features are supported by an ultra-fast Flexray network. Customers can also choose from a 180W six speaker, a Meridian™ 400W 10 speaker and a Meridian™ 700W 14 speaker sound system providing rich sound quality for all occupants.
Stay connected
A comprehensive supply of charging sockets throughout the cabin will keep occupants charged and connected at all times, whether using digital devices to stream music or camping accessories to provide home comforts in remote locations. Front-row occupants can choose from a pair of 12V power supplies and a USB socket located behind the central touchscreen – perfectly located to minimise trailing wires when used to power a dashcam.
In the second row, occupants have two USBs and a pair of 12V charging points when specified with a centre console and when third-row seats are fitted, an additional two USB outlets. The loadspace also includes an additional 12-volt socket while a three-pin 230V domestic socket is also available.
Thoughtful touches include the availability of USB sockets on the front seatbacks, specifically positioned to allow second-row occupants to charge devices while using the optional Click and Go tablet holders.
Secure and convenient key technology
State-of-the-art keyless technology brings added cyber security and convenience with advanced Ultra Wide Band (UWB) transceivers preventing thefts from copycat devices. Jaguar Land Rover was the first vehicle manufacturer to introduce the pioneering keyless entry system and new Defender uses the innovative set-up to resist relay attack and meet the world’s toughest security standards.
The second-generation Activity Key can be specified in addition to the pair of standard fobs for ened convenience. The water resistant (4 ATM) and shock-proof wearable device now incorporates an LCD watch. The wrist-worn device allows customers to unlock any door, lock or start the vehicle – doing away with the electronic ‘handshake’ previously required to lock or unlock the vehicle. Instead, customers can access or secure the Defender either using a button on the watch screen or its keyless entry functionality.
Powertrains
New Land Rover Defender will be available with a wide range of powertrains including Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technologies and a range of advanced and efficient Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, all fitted with intelligent Stop/Start technology to minimise emissions. The advanced PHEV powertrain will join the range next year and with it comes the promise of silent zero-emissions driving in EV mode.
At launch, diesel power comes from a choice of four-cylinder D200 or D240 engines, with sequential twin turbo technology providing 430Nm of torque to optimise performance and economy. The D200 delivers fuel economy of 37.2mpg (7.6 l/100km) and 0-100km/h in 10.3 seconds (0-60mph in 9.9 seconds) while the more powerful D240 matches the 200PS for efficiency while accelerating from 0-100km/h in 9.1 seconds (0-60mph in 8.7 seconds). Both provide competitive CO2 emissions of 199g/km (NEDC equivalent).
Petrol customers will be able to choose between a turbocharged four-cylinder P300 engine and an efficient six-cylinder P400 MHEV powertrain. The 300HP unit uses an advanced twin-scroll turbo for smooth performance and efficiency, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds (0-60mph in 7.7 seconds) with CO2 emissions as low as 227g/km (NEDC equivalent).
The state-of-the-art MHEV powertrain harvests energy normally lost during deceleration and redeploys it to optimise efficiency. The in-line six-cylinder Ingenium petrol features both a conventional twin-scroll turbocharger and an advanced 48-volt electric supercharger, with a belt-integrated starter motor in place of the alternator to assist the petrol engine, and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery to store energy captured as the vehicle slows down. In combination, these advanced technologies provide 400HP and 550Nm of torque, 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds (0-60mph in 6.1 seconds) and fuel consumption as low as 29.4mpg (9.6l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 220g/km (NEDC equivalent).
All engines drive through a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and twin-speed transmission, to provide a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required.
Tested to extremes
To ensure the electrical systems are as rugged and robust as the rest of the vehicle, Defender is the first new Land Rover to benefit from enhanced validation testing, the result of a £37m investment in new facilities and infrastructure. As a result, the new EVA 2.0 system has been through the most comprehensive development programme the company has ever completed, ensuring every aspect of the vehicle lives up to its rugged reputation.
