© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
Defender Returns
One of the toughest and most capable vehicles in Land Rover history, the Defender returns for the 2020 model year. Built on the automaker’s new all-aluminum D7x platform, the iconic SUV’s design continues the high level of off-road prowess expected from Defender. Revered by serious off-roaders and collectors alike, the Defender traces its roots back more than 70 years to the original Land Rover and was last sold in the U.S. in 1997.
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
Exterior Design
The new Defender retains its familiar silhouette incorporating short front and rear overhangs for a look easily recognized as a Land Rover Defender. The overall design has a tough appearance, and the high sills, short overhangs and rear-mounted spare facilitate the off-road capability. “The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer at Land Rover. “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 X 4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment,” observed McGovern.
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Two Models
The new Defender will launch in early 2020 with the Defender 110, followed later in the year by the short-wheelbase Defender 90. The Defender 110 rides on a 119-inch wheelbase — 3.9 inches longer than a Land Rover Discovery. Defender offers approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees, respectively. For the global market, six trim levels will be offered: Defender, Defender S, Defender SE, Defender HSE, Defender X and Defender First Edition.
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Defender P300
For the U.S. market, Defender will be offered with two powertrain options designated Defender P300 and Defender P400. The Defender P300 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower, combined with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer case. According to Land Rover numbers, the Defender P300 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
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Defender P400
The Defender P400 features a mild-hybrid powertrain with an inline 6-cylinder engine that utilizes both a twin-scroll turbocharger and a 48-volt electric supercharger with a combined output of 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, mated with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer case. The P400 also features a belt-integrated started motor that assists the gasoline engine under acceleration, and eliminates the need for an alternator. The 48-volt battery stores energy captured from braking as the vehicle slows down. Both engines are combined with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer case. According to Land Rover, the Defender P400 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
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Exterior Colors
Three new metallic colors are offered exclusive to Defender: Tasman Blue, Pangea Green and Gondwana Stone, along with Fuji White, Eiger Grey, Santorini Black and Indus Silver shared with other Land Rover models. A new option is a factory installed Satin Protective Film that gives the metallic paint a satin finish. An optional wrap is available with Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone and Indus Silver paint colors, and it can be removed at any time. Defender X receives a gloss-black inset contrast hood and gloss-black cladding, with the front and rear skidplates and other exterior details coated with Starlight Satin finish. Twelve wheel designs are offered, ranging from 18-inch white-painted steel to 22-inch Luna alloys.
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Interior Design
Inside, the new Defender offers a highly functional layout with exposed structural elements and rubberized floor coverings. The exposed powder-coated magnesium crossbeam is key to the overall strength of the body structure, which is available in different finishes with integrated grab handles. The central touchscreen and main controls are contained within a magnesium frame and allow movement across the cabin as well as the optional center seat. The painted doors are partially exposed; a choice of center console options are offered.
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Flexible Seating
The Defender 110 offers three seating options with five, six or 5+2 seating. The six-seat option features a front-row center seat. When not in use, the front center seatback can be folded down to provide an armrest, additional storage and two additional cupholders. The Defender 90 offers 5- or 6-occupant seating options.
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Interior Materials
For the new Defender, three interior color combinations are offered and can be mixed with different interior finishes including wood and powder coating. Wood options include rough-cut Walnut and Natural Smoked Dark Oak Veneer, while powder-coating offers dark grey for Defender X, standard light grey and optional white for exposed metal parts. The standard seat material is Resolve textile, and the S and SE trims add Grained Leather combined with Robust Woven Textile. The Defender HSE features high grade Windsor Leather, and the Defender X includes Windsor Leather combined with Steelcut Premium Textile accents.
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Terrain Response
Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system is the first off-road configurable Terrain Response that allows the driver to tailor the system individually according to off-road situations and includes standard Wade Sensing. The driver can choose a center limited-slip differential or a rear limited slip, as well as three settings for throttle response, gearbox response, steering and traction control. Up to four individual profiles can be saved. The Terrain Response 2 Auto function recognizes the driving surface and adjusts the settings with no additional input from the driver. Land Rover All-Terrain Progress Control maintains a low crawl speed, and ClearSight Ground View shows the area directly in front of the vehicle on the center touchscreen.
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Accessory Packs
At launch Defender 110 will be offered with four accessory packs: Explorer Pack, Adventure Pack, Country Pack and Urban Pack. The Explorer Pack includes an expedition roof rack, a side-mounted gear carrier, wheel arch protection, a spare wheel cover and a matte-black hood decal. The Adventure Pack includes a portable rinse system ,an integrated air compressor, a side-mounted gear carrier and a seat backpack that can be removed from the vehicle for use. The Country Pack features wheel arch protection, a bright rear scuff plate, a portable rinse system and full-height cargo partition. The Urban pack includes a bright rear scuff plate, a spare wheel cover, a front undershield and bright metal pedals.
© Jaguar Land Rover North America
PIVI Pro
The 2020 Defender debuts Land Rover’s new PIVI Pro infotainment system, —a next-generation touchscreen system with intuitive interface, a simplified menu structure and user-friendly functionality that requires fewer inputs for frequent tasks. PIVI Pro features a 10-inch touchscreen and an always-on design for instant responses even when starting the vehicle.
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
U.S. Availability
The 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 will be available in the U.S. in Spring 2020 at a starting base price of $49,900, ranging up to $80,900 for the Defender X P400. The Defender 90 will join the lineup later in 2020.
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience
