- New 2.4-litre common rail diesel engine for improved
driveability, refinement and pulling power (20% more torque and 30%
quieter than outgoing TD5)
- New six-speed manual gearbox featuring a wide ratio spread for
better off-road and cruising abilities
- New Anti-stall system which anticipates the driver's likely
reactions by intelligently adjusting the engine systems to prevent
stall
- New fully-integrated interior facia improves quality and
ergonomics
- New, more comfortable seating with full-size forward-facing
third-row seat option
- New high-output heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
system
- Unique Defender architecture retained with 110 and 130
wheelbase variants
- Pricing:
| Defender 110 Station Wagon |
$48,990 |
| Defender 130 Crew Cab Chassis |
$50,990 |
- Options:
| Metallic Paint |
$900 |
| 7 Seats (110 model only) |
$2,000 |
Greater ability both on-road and off-road plus increased
comfort, performance and refinement are among the major
improvements introduced for the Land Rover Defender for 2007. A new
2.4-litre diesel engine offers increased torque and improved
driveability while the new six-speed gearbox provides a lower first
gear ratio, for better off-road control, and a high sixth gear for
improved cruising refinement. Inside the vehicle, a new facia
improves ergonomics, whilst new seating improves comfort for all
occupants.
The latest in a long line of evolutionary updates to a vehicle
whose roots date back to 1948 (since when nearly 1.9 million units
have been sold), the 2007 model year changes maintain Defender's
relevance while enhancing its functionality, versatility and
durability.
Since the current model's introduction in 2002, Defender has
consistently sold an average of 25,000 units a year worldwide.
Retail and utility customers, armed forces and NGOs in over 100
countries value Defender's class-leading blend of towing and
load-carrying versatility, alongside the vehicle's extraordinary
strength, robustness and capability. The unique combination of
these attributes helps account for the model's exceptionally high
standards of customer loyalty.
Land Rover Australia's General Manager Roger Jory said: "We're
building on Defender's success with a package of improvements that
will extend its off-road abilities even further, while transforming
on-road refinement and comfort. These changes represent a
significant vote of confidence in a product which is the foundation
of Land Rover's reputation for off-road excellence; we believe
these enhancements will win the hearts and minds of new and
existing customers alike."
MORE PULLING POWER
Defender's new 2.4 litre, four-cylinder engine draws on parent
company Ford's acknowledged diesel engine expertise, and represents
a major step forward in terms of refinement and driveability.
Torque output is higher than the outgoing engine right across the
usable rev range, and the 360 Nm peak is delivered at only 2000
rpm; over 315 Nm of torque is available from 1500 rpm to 2700
rpm.
Engine peak power output is 90 kW, with more than 90 per cent of
peak power available from less than 2200 rpm to over 4350 rpm -
over 60 per cent of the usable rev range. Naturally, in European
markets (with high quality diesel fuels), the new engine is
designed to be fully compliant with EU4 emissions legislation. But
with Defender's status as a truly global product, a unique engine
tune has also been developed to tolerate variable quality,
high-sulphur fuels.
Based on a cast-iron block, the engine features an alloy,
16-valve cylinder head with Denso common rail fuel injection. Not
only is combustion noise dramatically reduced, thanks to the
excellent control provided by the engine's solenoid-driven fuel
injectors, but a new Garrett variable geometry turbocharger also
helps ensure throttle response is improved over the outgoing
engine. The engine's lubrication and sealing systems have been
specially developed to cope with Defender's onerous range of
operating angles.
The new GFT MT 82 six-speed gearbox provides a much wider ratio
spread than before; the lower first gear offers a reduction in
crawl speed and combines with the engine's increased torque output
to make towing on-road and off-road even easier. The increased
engine torque also helps in-gear acceleration, and has allowed the
new sixth gear to be set 20 per cent higher than the outgoing
model's top gear. This helps to improve real-world cruising
refinement and fuel economy.
In addition, improved anti-stall characteristics further extend
the vehicle's renowned ability to tackle the toughest terrain.
Changes to the vehicle exterior have been kept to a minimum,
with a revised bonnet profile the only clue to the new Defender's
increased capability.
As Dave Saddington, Defender chief designer points out,
"Defender's timeless exterior has become synonymous with functional
design. Every line and surface seems to be linked to the vehicle's
extraordinary capability, so we deliberately changed very
little.
"But the interior's a different story. We wanted to change the
heating system and instruments, as well as improve ergonomics, all
of which gave us the opportunity to introduce an all-new facia. In
doing so, we've worked hard to reflect Defender's unique purpose
and versatility inside the vehicle too. The new facia is better
integrated, more robust and functionally superior to the old unit,
whilst still entirely in keeping with Defender's character."
IMPROVED COMFORT AND ERGONOMICS
Defender's new facia is based on a single, large moulding
supported on a robust steel rail to help eliminate squeaks and
rattles. Instruments from Land Rover's Discovery 3 provide clear,
concise information to the driver, and details like all-LED
instrument illumination help ensure high standards of reliability.
Improvements to ergonomics abound - for example, a new
passenger-side grab handle provides robust, two-handed support
during extreme off-road driving. The process of modernising
Defender's facia hasn't sacrificed its usability either, with
versatile stowage shelves conveniently located for both the driver
and passenger. The features a large lidded design that provides an
impressive 14-litres of stowage.
In-car entertainment systems have been upgraded to take
advantage of Defender's improved refinement. For the first time,
high-mounted tweeters are available in Defender and work in
conjunction with the new speaker installation for significantly
improved clarity and sound reproduction.
The new facia houses an all-new heating and ventilation system.
Cabin airflow is up almost 50 per cent, with new aluminium plate
and fin heat exchangers helping deliver impressive performance. In
cold weather, the heater warms the cabin 40 per cent quicker than
before and can achieve cabin temperatures a full 12°C higher.
The air-conditioning system can cool the cabin in half the time of
the old unit, and achieve cabin temperatures 7°C lower too. The
addition of side window demist vents helps maintain visibility
whatever the weather.
Seating is also comprehensively improved. New, taller front
seats are designed to improve back support and head restraint
ergonomics. Robust, more supportive second row seats are introduced
too. Both the 110 Station Wagon and 130 Crew Cab models can
comfortably accommodate three occupants on a new,
asymmetrically-split second row seat. A spring-assisted fold
mechanism helps when folding the seats for carrying large or
awkward loads.
The Defender's third row occupants benefit from a pair of
individual, full-size, forward-facing rear seats, providing
significantly increased comfort and space over the outgoing model.
Accessed either through the rear door or by folding the second row
seats, they can be easily folded and stowed sideways in the
loadspace.
The seat trims are made from durable all-vinyl and cloth.
Three-point safety belts are specified for all seating
positions.
Upgraded sound insulation, the common rail engine's excellent
combustion control and the significantly higher top gear all
contribute to a substantial overall improvement in cabin
refinement. In the words of Gary Taylor, Defender's chief programme
engineer, "For many customers, the step change in Defender's
refinement will be one of the most welcome advances; not only are
noise levels significantly lower, but sound quality is transformed
too."
For further information please contact:
Guido Schenken
Public Affairs Department
Land Rover Australia
Phone: (02) 9020 1517
Email: gschenk4@landrover.com
Website: www.landrover.com.au
Jon Harris
Marketing and Public Affairs Manager
Land Rover Australia
Phone: 61 2 9020 1503
Email: jharri18@landrover.com
Website: www.landrover.com.au