Land Rover Defender (L663) Explained

Land Rover Defender (L663)
Manufacturer:Jaguar Land Rover
Production:2019–present
Model Years:2020–present
Assembly:Slovakia: Nitra (JLR Slovakia)
Designer:Gerry McGovern
Class:Compact luxury 4X4 (90)
Mid-size luxury 4X4 (110)
Full-size luxury 4X4 (130)
Layout:Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Platform:D7x
Battery:13.1 kWh lithium-ion (PHEV)
Length:
5099 mm (without rear mount spare wheel)
Width:20081NaN1 (with folded mirrors)
Weight:2,100 kg
Predecessor:Land Rover Defender (L316)
Sp:uk
Chassis:Unibody

The Land Rover Defender is a four-wheel-drive off-road luxury 4x4 from British automotive company Jaguar Land Rover. The vehicle was launched on 10 September 2019 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is significant for being the first all-new version of the Defender, breaking the engineering lineage with its predecessor, a descendant of the original Series Land Rovers of 1948. The unibody-based Defender is aimed at a more upmarket segment than its predecessor.[1] [2]

The L663 Defender is available in three body length options, marketed as the Defender 90 (3-door), Defender 110 (5-door) and Defender 130 (5-door with extended rear overhang for three-row seating).

Background

The Defender replaces the original Land Rover Defender (1983-2016). The cars are built in Slovakia at Jaguar Land Rover's Nitra plant,[3] a manufacturing facility which opened on 25 October 2018. The plant covers an area of about 300000m2.[4]

The car, which shares no components or technology with its predecessor Defender model, has permanent all-wheel drive, locking differentials in the centre and rear, and a two-speed transfer case. Unlike the previous Defender models, the new model has an aluminium unibody instead of a body-on-frame construction.[5] All Defender 110 variants come with air suspension as standard whilst the 90 can be optioned with coil springs or air suspension. Deliveries to customers of the 5-door Defender 110 began in early 2020, to be followed by the 3-door Defender 90 in late 2020.[6] [7]

Reception

The Defender has been well received by the motoring press, all reviews underlining that it is significantly different from its chassis-based predecessor: "It’s all very Defender – but not as we know it" declared the Evening Standard;[8] "Born-again off-roader follows a new path and is all the better for it" declared the Motoring website.[9] "Combine (its) seemingly impossible blend of qualities with a fantastic looking package inside and out and you have a vehicle that is literally like no other".[10] A TFL Car review was critical of the quality of the cars, with readers giving accounts of problems within the first few weeks of ownerships and with only up to a few hundred miles of driving.[11] Poor reliability has been a recurring theme with many Land Rover models.[12]

In 2019, Lego announced a 2,573-piece "LEGO Land Rover Defender" set based on the vehicle, released in October 2019. It is one of the largest sets ever made by Lego.[13]

General characteristics

Mechanical specifications

The Defender 110 is 5018mm long including the spare wheel on the rear door, or 4758mm without it, and has a wheelbase of 3022mm. The Defender 90 is 4583mm long including the spare wheel and 4323mm without, with a weight from 2133kg (4,702lb) with a 4-cylinder diesel engine.[14]

Defender 90 models with coil spring suspension have a ground clearance of 226mm whilst the 110 and the 90 with air suspension have a maximum ground clearance of 291mm.[15]

The initial engine choice will be from the following JLR Ingenium engines: D200 - a 196bhp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, D240 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel of 237bhp, P300 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol of 296bhp, P400 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo petrol mild hybrid of 395bhp and P400e which is only available for the 110 which makes 398bhp. For the 2021 model year (announced September 2020), the following JLR Ingenium in-line 6-cylinder diesel engines with mild hybrid technology are available: D200, D250, D300.[16]

All variants are fitted with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission coupled with a 2-speed transfer case.[3] Base models come with the white steel wheels as standard fitment.

In the US and Canada, the 90 model is only offered in a limited edition First Edition and the 3.0 6 cylinder engine while the 110 is offered in both the limited edition First Edition with 3.0 engine as well as the regular models with both 3.0 or 2.0 engines.

Front mount 4536kg (10,000lb) load-rated winch is officially supported, most unibody cars do not support winches.[17]

Trim levels and interior

The Defender is available in Standard, S, SE, XS, HSE, X, V8 and V8 Carpathian Edition trim lines. Land Rover also offers four accessory packs, called Explorer, Adventure, Urban and Country, which include various accessories such as a raised air intake, extended mud flaps, a side-mounted storage box, and more.

The entry-level 110 models will come equipped with air suspension, 18-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, and a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Defender 90 comes with coil springs, a standard front jump seat that adds a third seating position to the front row. Models with front bucket seats can be equipped with a wide centre console. The car debuts Jaguar Land Rover's Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessed through a 10-inch touch screen.

There are also Hard Top or Commercial versions of both the 90 and 110 variants, in a number of different trim levels, available as Euro N1 vehicles, fully VAT deductible, in the UK and other markets.

Safety

The Defender has been rated 5 stars by both Euro NCAP[18] and sister agency ANCAP.[19]

Special Editions

2021 Bond Edition Defender

Released alongside the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die, the Bond Edition Defenders[20] were three hundred 2020 Defenders created by Land Rover to celebrate the car's appearance in the film. The Bond Edition Defender used a 518 Horsepower 5.0 Litre supercharged V8 and utilised the same gearbox as the standard V8 model. It came with all black exterior and 22" black alloy wheels paired with a rear 'Defender 007' badge and blue brake calipers. The infotainment system was fitted with a custom startup screen to commemorate Land Rover's long lasting relations with the bond franchise. The interior sported 'Defender 007' treadplates and all black seating. The car also sports exterior 007 graphic puddle lamps. The cars had either 90 or 110 wheelbases and had a starting price of £105,000.

75th Anniversary Limited Edition

The Land Rover Defender 75th Anniversary Edition[21] is a modified variant of the 2020 Defender with all Grasmere green paint (as a nod to the original 1948 HUE 166, 1st production Land Rover), for both the main body, wheels and interior cross beam. It is available in either a 300 horsepower, mild or plug-in automatic, all wheel drive diesel hybrid. The 75th Anniversary Edition also features a unique '75 Years' graphic placed across the entire vehicle. It can be purchased with either a panoramic sunroof or folding fabric roof. The mild hybrid version can be purchased with either 90" or 110" wheelbases, whilst the plug-in is strictly the 110" variant. The starting price for this car is around £86,000 ($105,000)

Performance variants

Defender X

The Defender D300 X is essentially a performance variant of the base Defender. According to CarExpert, it has an output of 2200NaN0 and 650Nm.[22]

Defender V8

The Defender V8 is a performance variant of the Defender, with better performance than the Defender X. It uses a supercharged AJ133 5.0-litre V8 engine. Top speed ranges from NaNkm/h, with 386kW, with a 0-100 km/h of about 5.2 to 5.4 seconds.[23] [24] Its output is rated at 625Nm, and uses its engine is that of the Jaguar F-Type's. The Defender V8 is available in the compact 90, and the mid-size 110 and the large 130.

Defender OCTA

The Defender OCTA is the high-performance variant of the Defender, poised above the Defender V8 as the most capable, most luxurious and fastest model.[25] Firstly, the 4.4L BMW V8 engine, producing 635 PS and up to 750 Nm of torque, is sourced from BMW and also available in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models.[26] This is the most powerful engine available for the Defender, enabling it to go 0 - 60 mph in 4 seconds. The engine has been widely noted for its mechanical issues, undergoing several recalls. BMW's 4.4-liter V8 doesn't actually have a flat-plane crankshaft, but it does have a crossover exhaust manifold that sends an evenly-spaced pulse of air to each exhaust pipe. That's why the OCTA's V8 has a McLaren-esque sound, even though it uses a cross-plane crankshaft.[27] Coupled with the high and low range 8-speed automatic transmission the Defender OCTA has a top speed of 249 km/h with 22 inch wheels, and 210 km/h with 20 inch wheels. To support the larger engine, a stiffened transmission cradle, upgraded cooling system with thicker radiators and uprated oil coolers, thicker driveshafts, and stronger rear differential components are included.

Additionally, the Defender OCTA includes hydraulically-interlinked 6D Dynamics Suspension technology, also featured on the Range Rover Sport SV.[28] This system allows the Defender OCTA more wheel articulation off-road, while also reducing body-roll on road. It is 28 mm higher and 68 mm wider than a standard Defender, allowing for 323 mm of ground clearance, 550 mm of wheel articulation and 1 meter wading capacity. The front and rear axels being moved forward 4mm and 3mm respectively allow the Defender OCTA 33 inch tires with both the 20 inch and 22 inch exclusive to OCTA wheels. Also included is the fastest steering system on a Defender yet, as well as 400 mm front brake disks and 365 mm rear brae disks supplied by Brembo.

As previously mentioned, the Defender OCTA is significantly wider than the standard Defender. Thus, the front and rear bumpers are redesigned for the larger fenders as well as the increased front and rear approach angles. Redesigned grilles and the signature Defender OCTA octagon logo are present around the car. The Defender OCTA comes in colors Petra Copper, Carpathian Grey and Charente Grey with Phosphor Bronze accents while the OCTA Edition One coming in Faroe Green. All OCTA's have a contrast roof and tailgate in Narvik Black. The Defender OCTA also has the option of dual raised air intakes. The interior includes new performance Body and Soul front seats, with the rear bench seat including more bolstering than the standard Defender. The standard Defender OCTA has the option of Burnt Sienna semi‑aniline leather, with Kvadrat textile trim in Ebony, Ultrafabrics PU in Light Cloud and Lunar, or semi‑aniline leather in Ebony for it's interior. Also new is the 'signature logo' button on the steering wheel - positioned below the airbag. A short press changes the car into dynamic mode - best for on-road performance driving - while a long press switches the car into OCTA mode. This new drive mode is for performance focused off-road driving,including an off-road launch control and tweaked ABS settings for better off-road braking. It's also important to note that USDM Defender OCTA's have amber lights on the grille.

Specifications

Defender 90 engine specifications

Petrol engines[29]
ModelYear(s)DisplacementFuel TypeTank CapacityPowerTorque0–Consumption (NEDC2)- l/100 kmCO2 Emissions
P3002019–19971NaN1Petrol88.5L3000NaN04000NaN08.0 s10.0224 g/km
P400 MHEV2019–29961NaN1Petrol88.5L4000NaN05500NaN06.0 s9.8219 g/km
P5252021–4,999 cc (305.1 cu in)Petrol88.5L525 PS (386 kW, 518 bhp)625 Nm (461 ft lb)5.2 s12.1327 g/km
Diesel engines[30]
ModelYear(s)DisplacementFuel TypeTank CapacityPowerTorque0–Consumption (NEDC2)- l/100 kmCO2 Emissions
D2002019–19991NaN1Diesel83.5L2000NaN04300NaN010.2 s199 g/km
D2402019–19991NaN1Diesel83.5L2400NaN04300NaN09.0 s7.7199 g/km
D2002020–2,996 ccDiesel89 L200 PS (147 kW)500 Nm9.8 s7.6199 g/km
D2502020–2,996 ccDiesel89 L249 PS (183 kW)570 Nm8.0 s7.6199 g/km
D3002020–2,996 ccDiesel89 L300 PS (221 kW)650 Nm6.7 s7.6199 g/km

Defender 110 engine specifications

Petrol engines[31]
ModelYear(s)DisplacementFuel TypeTank CapacityPowerTorque0–Consumption (NEDC2)- l/100 kmCO2 Emissions
P3002019–19971NaN1Petrol90L3000NaN04000NaN08.1 s10.2227 g/km
P400 MHEV2019–29961NaN1Petrol90L4000NaN05500NaN06.1 s9.9220 g/km
P400e2020-19971NaN1Petrol,Electricity90L

Electric range

43 km (27 miles)

Total System

4040NaN0

Petrol

3000NaN0

Electric

1430NaN0

6400NaN05.4 s74 g/km
P5252021-4,999 cc (305.1 cu in)Petrol90L525 PS (386 kW, 518 bhp)625 Nm (461 ft lb)5.4 s12.1327 g/km
OCTA2024–43951NaN1Petrol90L6350NaN07500NaN04.4 s13.3294 g/km
Diesel engines
ModelYear(s)DisplacementFuel TypeTank CapacityPowerTorque0–Consumption (NEDC2)- l/100 kmCO2 Emissions
D2002019–19991NaN1Diesel85L2000NaN04300NaN010.3 s199 g/km
D2402019–19991NaN1Diesel85L2400NaN04300NaN09.1 s7.7-7.8199 g/km
D2002020-2,996 ccDiesel89 L200 PS (147 kW)500 Nm10.2 s7.6200 g/km
D2502020-2,996 ccDiesel89 L249 PS (183 kW)570 Nm8.3 s7.6200 g/km
D3002020-2,996 ccDiesel89 L300 PS (221 kW)650 Nm7.0 s7.6200 g/km

Options Available

Configuration Availability Australia; August 2024 - MY25[32]

ModelEnginesExteriorWheelsInterior
90 S
  • D200
  • D250
Colors available:
  • Fuji White
  • Pangea Green
  • Tasman Blue
  • Gondwana Stone
  • Santorini Black
  • Carpathian Grey
  • Silicon Silver

All available with black, white or body-colored roof. Matte protective film only available with Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone, Santorini Black and Silicon Silver with non-body colored roofs.

Exterior Packs:

  • Country Exterior Pack - Pre-configuration available in three forms: Fuji White or Santorini Black body with Tasman Blue roof and tailgate, and Tasman Blue gradient decal on door; Tasman Blue body with White roof and tailgate, with Fuji White gradient decal on door.
  • Black Exterior Pack - Gloss black grill bar, bonnet lettering, tailgate lettering and bonnet chequer plating over the standard silver grill bar, bonnet lettering and tailgate lettering and matte black plastic bonnet chequer plating.
  • Bright Exterior Pack - Nobel Chrome grill bar, bonnet lettering, middle front bumper and rear bumper as well as Narvik Black bonnet chequer plating and lower body cladding (over the standard matte black plastic trim).
  • 18" Style 5093; Gloss White Steel Wheels
  • 19" Style 6010; Silver or Gloss Black
  • 20" Style 5094; Silver or Satin Dark Grey
  • 20" Style 5095; Diamond Cut with Gloss Dark Grey contrast
  • 20" Style 5098; Silver, Polished Silver or Satin Dark Grey
  • 20" Style 6011; Gloss Black
  • 20" Style 9013, Gloss White - only available with Country Exterior Pack

All wheels are available with or without a body colored spare wheel cover, with all but the 20" Style 6011, only available with All-Season tires, being available with both All-Season and All-Terrain tires.

Material Types:

Trim:

  • Ebony Resist and Resolve seats with Ebony interior

Resist:

  • Ebony Resist seats with Ebony interior
  • Khaki/Ebony Resist seats with Ebony interior
  • Light Cloud/Lunar Resist

Windsor leather:

  • Ebony Windsor leather seats with Ebony interior
  • Caraway Windsor leather seats with Caraway/Ebony interior with Caraway/Ebony interior
  • Light Cloud perforated Windsor leather seats with Light Cloud interior
90 X
  • P400
90 V8

Notes and References

  1. Land Rover's sensitivity in this matter led them to litigate against Ineos, claiming that the Grenadier's visual similarity to the old Defender was a breach of the company's intellectual property rights.
  2. Allan, Lawrence (10 August 2020). "Jaguar Land Rover's trademark court case: testimonies revealed". Autocar. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  3. Web site: Barry. Ben. 10 September 2019. New Land Rover Defender revealed in Frankfurt. Car. 10 September 2019.
  4. https://www.carsuk.net/jaguar-land-rover-opens-new-slovakian-plant-as-discovery-production-heads-east/ Jaguar Land Rover OPENS new Slovakian Plant as Discovery production heads East
  5. Web site: 2020 Land Rover Defender: Engineering overview CarAdvice. CarAdvice.com. en. 17 September 2019.
  6. Web site: McIlroy. John. 10 September 2019. It's back: new 2020 Land Rover Defender reinvents the icon. Auto Express. 10 September 2019.
  7. Web site: Holder. Jim. 10 September 2019. New Land Rover Defender: icon reborn as tough upmarket 4x4. Autocar. 10 September 2019.
  8. https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/motors/land-rover-defender-2020-review-a4535581.html Evening Standard review
  9. https://www.motoring.com.au/land-rover-defender-2020-review-125904/ Motoring website
  10. https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/122454069/road-test-review-land-rover-defender-110-se-d240 "Stuff" roadtest
  11. Web site: Butler. Zach. 14 December 2020. Car Stories: I've Had A 'Headache Of An Experience' With The New Land Rover Defender — What Should I Do?. 12 October 2020. TFL Car.
  12. Web site: 24 September 2020. The two least reliable car brands, plus why you should avoid a luxury car if you want good reliability. 12 October 2021. Which? News. en-GB.
  13. Web site: What Are The Biggest LEGO Sets? Top 50 By Piece Count . The Brick Stan . 28 January 2022 . 27 April 2022.
  14. Allen. Lawrence. 11 September 2019. Defender reborn as tough upmarket 4x4. Autocar. Haymarket Media Group. 6375. 10–19.
  15. Web site: 10 September 2019 . 2020 Land Rover Defender: official photos, price, off-road ability and on sale date . 11 September 2019 . Sunday Times Driving.
  16. Web site: LAND ROVER DEFENDER GAINS PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC POWER, SIX-CYLINDER DIESEL AND NEW X-DYNAMIC MODEL Land Rover International Homepage. 15 December 2020. media.landrover.com.
  17. Web site: 2019-09-10 . 50 things you need to know about the new Defender . 2023-08-02 . WhichCar . en.
  18. Web site: FIVE-STAR EURO NCAP SAFETY RATING FOR AWARD-WINNING NEW LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 Land Rover International Homepage . 15 December 2020 . media.landrover.com.
  19. Web site: Land Rover Defender Safety Rating & Report ANCAP . 2024-07-05 . www.ancap.com.au.
  20. Web site: NEW LAND ROVER DEFENDER V8 BOND EDITION INSPIRED BY 'NO TIME TO DIE' Land Rover Media Newsroom . 2023-01-19 . media.landrover.com.
  21. Web site: Land Rover Defender 75th Limited Edition Land Rover . 2023-03-19 . landrover . en.
  22. Web site: 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 D300 X (220kW).
  23. Web site: 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 first test review.
  24. Web site: 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 P525 V8 (386kW).
  25. Web site: INTRODUCING DEFENDER OCTA THE NEW MASTER OF EXTREME PERFORMANCE ON- AND OFF-ROAD Land Rover Media Newsroom . 2024-07-04 . media.landrover.com.
  26. Web site: MSN . 2024-07-04 . www.msn.com.
  27. https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a12047400/2018-bmw-m5-sound/
  28. Web site: Range Rover Sport SV Special Vehicle Operations Land Rover . 2024-07-04 . landrover . en.
  29. Web site: Land Rover L663 Defender 90 - Technical specifications, size dimensions, fuel economy . ultimatespecs.com.
  30. Web site: Land Rover Defender - Price & Specifications. 15 December 2020. www.landrover.com. en-XI.
  31. Web site: Land Rover L663 Defender 110 - Technical specifications, size dimensions, fuel economy . ultimatespecs.com.
  32. Web site: I'm one step closer to my perfect DEFENDER. See configuration. . 2024-08-11 . Land Rover Configurator . en.