Bespoke vellies

Landie enthusiasts are ecstatic about the extended-body version of the Land Rover Defender, says Cyril Klopper.

- Cyril Klopper

The Defender trio is now complete with the short 90 series, the medium 110 and the long 130. (All that is left now is a bakkie version... but that probably won't happen.)

The original Defender 127 - later renamed to 130 was Land Rover's workhorse, and specifically aimed at the military and utility companies. Most definitely not the brand's most luxurious or most beautiful car.

Instead of continuing its original purpose, Land Rover has decided to elevate the latest Defender 130 to be a type of flagship among its Defenders.

Inside and out

The Defender 130 is 34 cm longer than the Defender 110- not for extra cargo space, but to make room for more seats. The only way they could retain the Defender's distinctive rear design was to give the rear a little flip, almost like the stern of a sailboat. That's to ensure the Defender 130's third row of seats don't adversely affect the departure angle.