Sturdy dream machine offers wealth of choice

Published on 23 February, 2020

The new Land Rover Defender starts at €68,160

Overview

Purchasers at this price level are normally reserved about their possessions but will relish the opportunity of demonstrating how they have bought a luxury transporter which is also a real workhorse.

The awkward question will be: do you really want the amazing off-road capabilities and the choice of 170 mostly pricey options in a bulky, chunky Defender-style body?

But the user-friendly devices as listed by Jaguar Land Rover managing director, Eddie Kavanagh, at an unveiling in Dublin, are exciting. Inside the 110 version, the seat configuration allows for five, six or seven, and a walkthrough space between the front seats can accommodate a centre console containing a fridge or a folding jump seat. The driver can use a wrist watch which incorporates an activity key which locks and unlocks and starts the vehicle. A PiviPro infotainment system will use key or phone signals to detect who is driving and put the seats, mirrors and steering wheel in the correct place.

There are 3D surround cameras for seemingly impossible views around the car including ClearSight ground view, exclusive to Land Rover, which shows the ground underneath the car, making for perfect tight space parking. There is head-up display and the ClearSight rear view mirror uses a camera on the roof-mounted antenna to give a perfect view behind.

There is an Explorer Pack which raises the air intake snorkel, the Adventure Pack has a portable rise system to clean up after muddy terrain and an integrated air compressor to keep tyre pressure at optimum levels as some off-road activities require harder or softer tyres. Air suspension is standard on the 110 version and can drop the vehicle by 50mm for easier access and raise levels by 75mm-145mm depending on normal or tough terrain, 3.5t towing capacity is standard and the roof will take 169kg while driving.

The 110 mid-specification SE version 2-litre SD auto LWB with AWD at €82,000 is expected to be the bestseller when sales start in April.

Already over 10 orders have been placed for a Defender model. SWB models arrive in July and plug-in hybrid petrol and commercial versions will be here in the last quarter of the year.