Land Rover Defender: the benchmark for SUVs? Detailed review of new items

To be honest, when Land Rover announced that it was withdrawing the Defender from production, my hands dropped. Well, if this company refuses off-road vehicles, then the era of total domination of crossovers will soon come, and real “war horses” will remain only in museums, but in the hands of fans of autotourism. In fact, there are no more than a dozen models left that can be called SUVs without stretch.

But unexpectedly, Land Rover returned its legend, though in a transformed form.

Why do I call the model legendary? The first Defender appeared only in 1990. Too late to be considered a legend, isn't it? The thing is that in fact the models are 40 years older. After all, before, Defender was simply called Land Rover. That is, Land Rover is the Defender. And all other models were invented after.

Before we talk about what's inside, consider the handsome outside. Below is a gallery that you can scroll to the right and view from different angles.

You can see that old Def has lost that brutal minimalism that made up the lion's share of his off-road charisma. Also, the frame disappeared from the design. It would seem – fi – we wrapped another crossover in a candy wrapper with the old name.

But, let's look into the details, and understand what ideology the creators have invested in their creation.

The first and obvious thing that catches your eye is that the new device is a product of digital technology and no longer resembles a military vehicle from the Second World War. It is equipped with all comfort technologies: a multimedia system, climate control, heated steering wheel and all seats, rain and light sensors, cameras, active and passive security systems. The options of the new model bring it to a premium level of comfort, and the question remains in my head: “What does this” spaceship “have in common with the earthly “rogue” of the past generation?” How does it differ from all other SUVs in the premium segment?

I'll try to answer this question. And the answer will be: its amazing off-road performance and incredible equipment for serious road trips.

You are now thinking: “Yeah, of course, a couple of paragraphs above I wrote that the car lost its frame, and then he writes about some kind of equipment and preparedness.” Yes, I also thought so at first and asked the company representatives a question. Let's figure it out together.

There really is no frame. Because she is not needed. The designers did not stand still and invented new alloys and technologies that made it possible to surpass the frame structure in rigidity. With any hanging of the car, all the gaps on the doors do not change even a millimeter, and the roof can withstand weight up to 350 kg. You can actually pitch a tent on it or walk around!

The heart of the new Defender is modern light engines: a 2-liter petrol engine (200 hp), a 2-liter diesel engine (240 hp) and for those who like to walk for all the money – a 3-liter gasoline engine (400 hp), which accelerates the giant to hundreds in an impressive 6 seconds!

The power of the motors is transferred to the wheels using an advanced dual-range transmission with differential locks, which is complemented by the most advanced off-road technology Terrain Response.

The chassis received an innovative independent air suspension of all wheels. Defender has the best in its class geometric cross-country ability, ground clearance of 29 cm, and the ability to overcome water obstacles with a depth of 90 centimeters. For you to understand, this is when the hood is hidden under water!

Also the interior is amazing. Scroll through the gallery, I left comments on the details.

In general, the new Defender can be called a new generation SUV. A successful attempt to combine all the advanced comfort technologies with advanced cross-country technologies.

As expected, the novelty will not be cheap, rather it is a car of wealthy people charged for active travel. The cost of the new Def is five and a half to six million conventional units. Not the cheapest car, but not even close to the most expensive.

What do you think? Like?