Land Rover Defender PHEV arrives in Oz

JAGUAR LAND ROVER Australia used the Sydney SXSW (South x South West) futurist, music, film and tech festival/conference to officially unveil its Defender PHEV to the Australian market, bringing to a neat half-dozen the number of PHEVs in Land Rover’s local line-up.

As the name suggests, the Defender 110 P400e, available in 2.0 X-Dynamic SE spec from $126,275 and 2.0 HSE spec from $137,975 (both excluding on road costs), is built on a Defender 110 mid-wheelbase five-door platform and is capable of providing zero tailpipe emissions with “true off-road capability”.

Land Rover already offers various PHEV powertrains in Discovery Sport, Evoque, Velar, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover. The Defender PHEV shares the same powertrain as the Velar which costs around $5000 more.

The new electrified, Slovakian-built “fourbie” is similar in many ways to Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4XE that sells from $129,950 +ORC.

And like Jeep, Land Rover Australia says, “the unstoppable Defender 110 P400e plug-in electric hybrids offer the ultimate zero-emissions off-road capability with its ability to tap into its incredible power and control on any terrain when operating in electric-only mode.”

Only available with the 110 (-inch wheelbase) monocoque chassis, the Defender PHEV is claimed to deliver a blend of performance and economy while also being the most capable and durable electrified Land Rover.

This is enabled through the heavy-duty, off-road design and construct of the full-size Defender which in the PHEV model is capable of being driven in low range 4x4 purely in EV-mode.

Under the chunky body, the Defender PHEV runs an electric traction motor teamed with a 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering a combined 297kW of power and 640Nm of torque driving both axles (AWD) through an eight speed conventional automatic transmission.

A 19.2kWh battery using electrons at the claimed rate of 26.1kWh/100km feeds into the system that may deliver around 43km pure electric range (WLTP) while the combined petrol/electric WLTP fuel consumption rate is a claimed 3.4 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions of 78g/km.

The 2600kg vehicle can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, has a towing capacity of 3000kg and has attained a five-star ANCAP crash rating.

“Music for me has always been about finding new inspiration, upcoming artists that inspire me. Embracing the impossible is what binds Defender and music, breaking new ground and embracing all kinds of adventures,” said JLR Australia managing director, Penny Ferguson.

Mirroring competitor brand’s, JLR premiered in Sydney something called “Defender House” that it said is “a unique journey into the Defender lifestyle offering a blend of specially curated events and exclusive driving experiences”, where “guests will experience the Defender electric hybrid and explore its integrated connectivity with product experts, as well as partake in bespoke sensory experiences and gourmet food”.

At SXSW, JLR is capitalising on the Defender’s renowned capability and “exceptional” all-terrain adventures while “now exploring a musical world it has much in common with”.

JLR says “Defender enthusiasts and clients are known for having a great passion for music and will be inspired through innovative collaborations with artists such as Tkay appearing at SXSW”.

From Defender House guests were invited to “take over the city” and embark on a unique test drive around the city and over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in the Defender 110 electric hybrid.

One of few plug-in electric hybrids capable of rapid DC charging, the Defender 110 plug-in electric hybrid can charge 0 - 80 per cent in about 30 minutes using a rapid DC charger rated at 50kW or above.

At home, it can charge 0 - 100 per cent in approximately 2.5 hours using a 7kW AC charger.