LAND ROVER has added another dimension to its Defender range this week, introducing the longest model in the range ahead of an Australian on-sale date of August 1.
The British brand says the 340mm longer Defender 130 will build on the success of the Defender 90 and Defender 110 and offer seating for up to eight passengers while also introducing a host of exterior and interior design enhancements and technologies.
Available locally in SE D300 and SE P400 formats and in five- or eight-seat configuration, the Defender 130 is priced from $124,150 and $131,650 plus on-road costs respectively.
Land Rover says the Defender 130 range has its own colour palette – including a model-specific Sedona Red option – and is complemented by Ceres Silver Satin garnishing and cladding, the front and rear skid plates finished in Noble Chrome and the lower bumper covers and wheel arch extensions in gloss black. Both variants ride on 20-inch Luna alloys.
Inside, passengers in all three rows are offered what Land Rover says are “thoughtful storage and convenience solutions” as well as the latest connected technologies. Included are a new, larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen, electronic air suspension, cabin air purification, panoramic sunroof (on rows one and two), third-row sunroof, quad-zone climate control and keyless entry with auto lock/unlock functionality.
Land Rover says the seating of the Defender 130 is arranged to offer passengers in rows two and three a small stadium-style rise for “superior visibility”, and that the second-row seats slide forward to provide “wide access” to the third row of seats.
Up back, the Defender 130 offers between 389 and 2291 litres of cargo space and flexible 40:20:40 split-fold rear seating on eight-seat models, and between 1329 and 2516 litres of cargo space in five-seat variants. ISOFIX child seat anchorages are offered on five of the passenger seats.
In addition to a new material finish dubbed Natural Light Oak, the cabin of the Defender 130 is further offered with Light Oyster or Vintage Tan Perforated Windsor Leather upholstery, over-the-air software updates, a personalisable instrument panel display, as well as What3words and HERE satellite navigation functionality.
The Defender 130 is powered by a choice of 3.0-litre Ingenium turbocharged six-cylinder petrol and diesel units, each with 48-volt mild hybrid technology and paired as standard to an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission. P400 petrol models produce 294kW/500Nm and can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds while D300 diesel models offer 221kW/350 and a 7.5 second 0-100km/h time.
Braked towing capacity is listed at 3000kg while rooftop carrying maximums are listed at 168kg (dynamic) and 300kg (static).
Every Land Rover Defender is equipped with the brand’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) system and two-speed transfer case as standard, adding to the renowned off-road capabilities of the brand. The Defender 130 offers up to 430mm of wheel articulation – with 71.5mm of additional lift at the front and 73.5mm at the rear – and a water fording depth of 900mm.
Ground clearance is measured at 290mm while approach, ramp-over and departure angles are listed at 37.5°, 27.8° and 28.5° respectively. The turning circle of the Defender 130 is quoted at 12.8 metres.
The Defender 130 measures 5358mm in length, 2008mm in width, 1970mm in height and rides on a 3022mm wheelbase.
“(The) new Defender 130 brings a new dimension of capability to our most durable and rugged family of vehicles,” said Land Rover executive director of vehicle programs Nick Collins.
“Its spacious interior welcomes and transports up to eight people in supreme comfort, enabling unparalleled sophisticated adventuring opportunities for families, with unique design signatures to create a distinct new Defender experience.”
All Land Rover Defender variants are backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with included roadside assistance.
2022 Land Rover Defender 130 pricing*:
SE D300 (a) $124,150
SE P400 (a) $131,650
*Pricing excludes on-road costs.