If there’s a gene that predisposes a person to like the original Land Rover Defender, I’m afraid I don’t have it. I appreciate that people are sentimental about these things, but really, the previous Defender was – and still is – the worst car I’d ever reviewed on a public road.
The latest Defender – code-named L663 – thankfully comes from different stock, and is tasked with the hardest job of all; placating the cynical faithful while attracting an entirely new audience.
We’ve already sampled the Defender’s bush-bashing chops, so let’s concentrate on the terrain where most Aussie Defenders will spend their lives – on the tarmac.
Long-wheelbase 110 and short-wheelbase 90 variants will make up the Australian mix, with two diesels and one petrol engine across four grades. The D200 and D240 diesels are, however, already sold out for 2020, leaving just the Ingenium straight-six powered P400 – tested here – for now.
Retailing for $95,335 in its most basic S form, the 110 P400 takes the vaunted Ingenium 3.0-litre straight-six, combines it with an eight-speed automatic and delivers it on a heavily revised version of JLR’s D7x (the x is for extreme, naturally) platform.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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This story is from the November 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TRAVEL BULLETIN
ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS. Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info. As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans.
MICK GRAHAM
OLD MORISSET MENTAL HOME, NSW CENTRAL COAST
REAR VIEW
4X4 AUSTRALIA LOOKS BACK AT THE CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE RISE IN . OUTBACK TOURING, THE EVOLUTIONARY SOPHISTICATION OF 4X4S, AND MORE
READERS RIGS
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AFTER A 50,000KM TRIP THROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA, THESE MAXXIS RAZR ATS HAVE PROVIDED RELIABLE PERFORMANCE ON AND OFF THE ROAD
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FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO FIT A DEDICATED DUAL-BATTERY SYSTEM TO THEIR VEHICLE, THE PORTABLE BLUETTI AC200L POWER STATION COULD BE JUST THE TICKET
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THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING MIGHT NOT MATCH THE NEARBY HIGH COUNTRY, BUT THANKS TO ITS GOLD MINING HISTORY THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE AND DO AROUND THE WIDER CASTLEMAINE AREA AND YOU MAY EVEN STRIKE IT RICH!