Land Rover Defender: Decoding the Cost of Rugged Luxury

The Land Rover Defender is probably the most conservative SUV in the world. Nevertheless, it is one of the best of its kind, and as a utilitarian vehicle it has almost no equal. This model is built for hard work even in the most extreme conditions. Land Rover Defender was first introduced in 1983. The history of the vehicle began in 1948, when the Rover brand created a Land Rover model inspired by Jeep Willys. After the brand went independent in 1978, Land Rover launched the immediate predecessor to the Defender in 1983, a model known as the "Ninety" and "OneTen," with wheelbases of 90 and 110 inches, respectively.

To date, the Land Rover Defender has two generations:

• First generation,L316 (1983-2016). Available in three different wheelbases (90, 110 or 130) and five body styles (2-, 3- or 4-door pickup and 3- or 5-door SUV). Several powertrains can be found under the hood. From 1990 to 1994, the Defender was offered with a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine with 107 hp. In 1994, this unit underwent a minor upgrade, as a result of which its power increased to 111 hp. Land Rover was sold in this variant until 1998. Since 2007, the cars began to integrate a new 2.4-liter diesel engine from Ford Transit, which is equipped with a common rail system for direct injection of fuel under high pressure and a regulation system that allows the use of low-quality fuel. At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the Land Rover Defender electric vehicle concept was unveiled, which has a 94 horsepower motor and lithium-ion batteries. These batteries provide eight hours of power when driven slowly off-road. Over the course of three decades, the Defender has gained a reputation as a reliable and durable SUV. Its popularity among tourists, military and hunters led to the creation of many specialized modifications. Despite the continuity of traditions, the model was able to adapt to modern standards of safety and comfort, which made it in demand in the market to this day.
• Second generation, L663 (from 2019).The vehicle is equipped with a load-bearing body, independent suspension on all wheels (optionally with pneumatics), permanent all-wheel drive with inter-axle differential and optional locks, and has excellent geometry. Three versions are available: the short Defender 90, the standard Defender 110 and the long Defender 130. Six engine versions are offered: two gasoline variants (P300, P400), three diesel (D200, D240, D300) and one hybrid (P400 PHEV, also known as P400e). In addition, five trim levels are available: Standart, S, SE, HSE and X (X-Dynamic). The D200 version features a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine with 200 hp (430 Nm), while the D240 has the same engine but with 240 hp at similar torque. The D300 variant is equipped with a 3.0 biturbo engine that develops 300 hp (650 Nm). The gasoline version of the Defender P300 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter motor (300 hp, 400 Nm), while the P400 has 400 hp and 550 Nm. The P400e hybrid achieves 404 hp and 400 to 645 Nm of torque. All models have all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. The most powerful, the P400 and P400e, accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the diesel D300 takes 7.4 seconds.

Overall, the Land Rover Defender is a testament to the brand's commitment to adventure and versatility, making it the choice for those who refuse to compromise on capability or style. Whether conquering the wilderness or traveling through urban landscapes, the Defender remains a symbol of exploration and reliability.