The Land Rover Defender returned to our roads recently, bringing back to life a nameplate that is beloved by driving fans across the world. More comfort-focused than before, the Defender has a luxurious interior that makes it a great place to be over long journeys.
But the Defender hasn’t forgotten its roots, either. A host of off-road-focused systems mean that this car can still go here, there and everywhere. But it also has some features that you might not have heard about - let’s check them out.
It’s got a camera system that helps with driving off-road
When you’re venturing off the beaten track, extra visibility is always welcome. That’s why the Defender has a clever ClearSigh Ground View system, which helps to make steeper climbs even easier.
So, for example, when you’re travelling up an extremely steep slope and over a crest with the car’s bonnet nose facing upwards, the camera will give you a view of the road ahead - even though the front of the car is positioned towards the sky.
It can wade in up to 35 inches of water
Again, Land Rover hasn’t scrimped on the off-road tech in the new Defender. It’s why it comes with a wading capability of up to 35 inches, which is one of the best in the segment. That means the Defender can be used to ford rivers and tackle streams, all while in the comfort of a very well-made cabin.
Plus, most Defender models get a visual readout of the height of the water you’re currently in, showing you whether or not you’re nearing that maximum wading depth.
The Defender was tested on over 1.2 million miles of roads
The Defender was extensively tested during its prototype stages to ensure that it could cope with the very worst conditions. In fact, by the time it reached final production, the Defender had been tested across 1.2 million miles of roads across the world.
These tests took in the electrical systems as well as the off-road technology and general robustness of the vehicle.
You can get it with a V8 engine
Though the Defender is available with a number of efficient engines, the headline of the range is taken by a supercharged V8 engine. It’s enormously powerful, too, with the 5.0-litre unit developing 518bhp and 625Nm of torque.
That’s enough to send the Defender from 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 149mph.
There are 90, 110 and 130 layouts currently available
Though the initial 90 and 110 Defender models were pretty predictable, the addition of a new 130 version has really expanded the range. It’s the most people-moving-focused version in the range, too, as it has space for eight people to sit in comfort.
You still get the same excellent go-anywhere potential as the other Defenders, mind you, but you’re just able to bring more people along for the ride.