For over 70 years, the Defender has represented the quintessence of adventure according to Land Rover. Today a whole new generation brings it back and will have to face the difficult task of replacing a timeless cult object. The king has returned to take back the throne.
Words Alessandro Marrone / Photos Bruno Serra
It’s been a few years now that “writing about cars” is my full time job. Whether I’m doing it well or not is not up to me to decide, but what I can confirm is that this profession, albeit with sacrifices and numerous late nights spent in the office, has brought me enormous satisfaction. And these never come alone, because they are often accompanied by situations that remain engraved in the memory: I’m talking about the ones I can relive every time I look at a photograph, that sense of inner peace in which a mountain landscape envelops you, or even those long days on the road in search of the perfect shot, the one able to tell the story around the car we’ve driven somewhere far from the city. As I have said before, the crucial part is what happens first – the preparation – that’s where together with the creative team and the editors we shut ourselves in a room and discuss scenario, mood and details of what to many might unfairly seem a simple photo-shoot accompanying one of the many car reviews.
This time we talked about the queen of 4x4s, the absolute icon, the one that plowed the planet for over 70 years, born as a cheaper alternative to the production of the era and which, inspired by the Jeep used by the American army, became a reference point for the British military forces and ultimate symbol of freedom on wheels. Over the decades, the shape of the Land Rover Defender has changed little, almost nothing at all, making its square shape and straightforward and indestructible mechanics the constant that has accompanied the different generations that have consecrated it to be the best off-road vehicle in the world. You can therefore imagine the discouragement, when in 2016, the specimen number 2,016,963 crossed the gates of Solihull sanctioning the production end of a myth also loved by those who usually prefer roads as smooth as a child’s cheeks.
But fate had different plans and with not even time to dry our tears, Land Rover has brought the Defender back to life, this time with the intention of creating a completely new model. The risk in changing something already perfect is that you are much more likely close to a misstep, betray your legacy and tarnish a name that is legend. That said, the new generation Defender wisely retains the two variants that determine length in inches depending on its wheelbase – 90 and 110 – with the difference that this is actually no longer the case, as its step has increased for both versions, now respectively at 2.58 and 3.02 meters. Dimensions that increase and that do not hide the grandeur offered by the typical boxed shape that can even accommodate a third row of extra seats, but let’s proceed in order, or even better, let’s jump straight to the point.
The snow on the side of the road seems to merge together with the thick blanket of fog that surrounds us, I can feel the wheels trudging on that big ice floe that covered the road towards 1,000 meters during the night and that is struggling to melt below, thanks to a sun still playing shy. External temperature -8°, cabin temperature +20°, I find myself comfortably seated on the Defender’s leather armchair, with my left arm that this time does not slam on the side window and I check the work of the differentials that allow our march to continue north without perceive any slightest uncertainty. Some landslides narrows the roadway, no problem thanks to the ground clearance at our disposal, always coupled with overhangs that despite the long wheelbase of the unit of my test remain reduced and easily extendable through the updated Terrain Response that allows you to choose between 8 different driving modes, which will intervene on a whole series of parameters depending on the consistency of the surface you’re driving. In the same way, the various cameras scattered on each side of the car allow the driver to monitor any stones and holes, obviously without forgetting that you can create your own driving mode, individually deciding what type of parameters to use.
This should already make it clear that the new Defender is a technological object, equipped with two large screens, one in front of the driver and which includes the entire instrumentation and the second in the center of the dash, a touch screen with satellite navigator, multimedia system and the aforementioned interface of the latest generation Terrain Response. Just below we have the 8-speed automatic gearshift lever and some controls that have been appropriately left at fingers’ reach, namely those of the climate, Hill Descent Control and those to engage low gears and manually vary the height from the ground. Everything has changed in here, starting with a very modern look, with clear lines that give a pleasant look and convey a feeling of robustness, without however the raw purity of the old model. Each panel is now assembled to perfection, there are no infiltrations and the attention to detail can be seen from the optical groups, or from the door panels or the numerous glass surfaces that in addition to give greater brightness to the immense interior, will be useful in the most disparate uses intended for this vehicle.
However, it is on board that the image of a modern off-road vehicle ready for anything reaches out to the world of contemporary SUVs. The precision previewed by observing it from the outside is taken up and developed with materials that are not at all obvious and solutions that succeed in the arduous task of combining the practicality of an off-road vehicle that is not afraid of abandoning paved roads with the comfort offered on long motorway sections. The city remains, at least for the 110 version, the habitat that the Defender prefers less and not so much for the visibility which is still excellent – despite the size of the spare wheel hanging from the tailgate – but because the dimensions are such as to require the utmost attention, especially in the narrowest streets: you know, 5.01 meters in length, 1.99 in width and 1.96 in height. A titan on wheels.
Among the numerous engines available, the D240 is undoubtedly the ideal one for us today, at least in terms of performance/consumption ratio, with a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbo-diesel that delivers 240 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque available immediately – at around 1,400 rpm – and therefore useful for limiting gear changes, thus optimizing the fuel needed to move its almost 2 and a half tons of weight. In front of us it seems that the last small town has welcomed a clear sky to illuminate a narrow road completely covered with snow, at times softer, a minute later almost completely covered by thin ice. The pace aboard the new Defender is imperturbable, increasing with caution almost like waiting for the fateful “but” of the situation.
Actually its off-road skills have been kept intact and pretty much identical to those of the previous generations, with the difference that when you are on tarmac you can take advantage of a precise and soft drivability, now at ease if compared to that of a traditional SUV. Of course there is a considerable tonnage and a Cx penalized by an almost vertical front, but who cares, when the only limit will be that imposed by your imagination. After crossing a narrow bridge, the road seems to climb into a dense forest. The snow is so white and soft and no one has stepped on it yet. Admitted that this crossroads leads somewhere, the next few kilometers will really be able to confirm whether or not the latest Land Rover has maintained its climber attitude.
When I set Snow mode, the feedbacks of the pedals, steering and gearbox seem to doze off, but they basically focus their operation in order to avoid leaving us stuck in the middle of nowhere. Inclination marks 16° and as soon as I move the front wheels towards the white blanket I can hear them sink and emit that typical rubber noise crunching fresh snow. The next moment they vanish and all I hear is the 2-liter that goes up in revs and the tires that grind in search of that pinch of traction to help us move forward. The passenger compartment is not only well isolated from atmospheric agents, but also well soundproofed, however the perception of being in an extreme situation is confirmed by the fact that I really have to go hard on the throttle. The following moment I look behind and I realize that the two irregular but parallel signs are the signature that is making us move in the desired direction. We dance, but there are no prying noises to break in the quiet and warmth of a functional interior that takes the form of one of the most pleasant environments in which you would like to be. And already I imagine myself hunting for some sand dunes, or immersed in a tropical forest, or even on top of a mountain pass, well beyond the end of the paved road most have to be satisfied with.
It is the moment when in your mind you’re able to visualize where you would like to be next, that without even realizing it you are admitting that this is the right car. But the new Defender is not a simple car and stops playing the role of the best off-road vehicle ever, broadening its existential horizons as a tool capable of giving shape and substance to that need for freedom that does not know the word “end”, even when the road suggests you to avoid risky challenges. Reality is that we have overcome that snowy climb, we have entered who knows how many centimeters of fresh snow and we have overcome any type of natural obstacle thanks to the mechanical qualities of a model projected into the future and which maintains a close link with its illustrious past. Reality is that we enjoyed ourselves so much that we even forgot which road we took to get to the top of a hill made unrecognizable due to the lack of anything other than a total whiteout.
I love every single millimeter of this Defender, its nice but always focused image, its dynamic qualities, the fact that it can really be used in any situation and that it represents the best alternative to the various SUV, Crossover and Off-Roader. If you need to go to the supermarket, or take your children to school, it will amaze you with the intelligence of solutions aimed at contemporary needs, such as the numerous storage compartments, the gigantic central cockpit or the 15 charging points for electronic devices. In short, think about one thing and its answer will always be affirmative. The new Defender has managed to raise the expectations elaborated during our briefing, it has managed to avoid fears related to a possible domestication of a car that has always represented a unique and unparalleled product. In the midst of so many luxury cars and supercars, the shape of the last born at Land Rover has managed to conquer the heart and soul of each of us at the office, garnering unanimous approval as the 2020 car of the year.
This is because its greatest merit is not to be reduced to the amazing on road and especially off-road skills, but for the fact that it has succeeded in the difficult task of getting the better of its only and greatest rival, the one represented by the weight of a legacy that makes them different but both capable of excelling in what they offer and for what they represent. It will probably be another 70 years of unconditional love, in search of an untraveled path and creating an incalculable number of stories to tell, many of which are born by chance, without the need for long meetings and meticulous planning. It’s the beauty of getting involved, just like Land Rover did, then say goodbye and return taking back the scepter of best 4×4 ever, again.
LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 D240 S
Engine 4 cylinder Turbo Diesel, 1.999 cc Power 240 hp @ 4.000 rpm Torque 430 Nm @ 1.400 rpm
Traction All-Wheel-Drive Transmission 8-speed Automatic Gearbox Weight 2.248 kg
0-100 kph 9,1 sec Top Speed 188 kph Price from €66.700