The born-again Land Rover Defender has only just hit Australian showrooms, but already there’s a range of new engines and new options being added to the spec list.
Buyers can choose from a range of trim levels and powertrain options, starting with unnamed base D200 and D250 models climbing through S, SE and HSE grades and topping out with First Edition and X models at launch.
A trio of inline six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines has replaced the four-cylinder diesels offered at launch, and the base engine has become the four-cylinder P300 petrol.
Like its iconic predecessor, the new Land Rover Defender promises to go ‘above and beyond’ the capabilities expected of an SUV, while also being safer, more comfortable and efficient than the model it replaces.
Pricing
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 P300: $74,500
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 D250: $82,590
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 S P300: $83,390
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 S D250: $90,490
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 S P400: $91,790
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 SE D300: $92,390
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 SE P400: $98,290
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 HSE D300: $101,690
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 HSE P400: $108,190
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X P400: $137,690
All prices exclude on-road costs
Engines
Gone are the four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines offered at launch, replaced by Jaguar Land Rover’s new inline six-cylinder diesel in two states of tune:
- Defender D250: 183kW of power, 570Nm of torque
- Defender D300: 220kW of power, 650Nm of torque
The base D200 model offered in the Defender 90 won’t be available in the 110 – the range will kick off with the more powerful D250.
Also new for 2021 is the entry-level P300 petrol engine. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine has 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
The range-topping petrol option in Australia is the P400, which features a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six with 48V mild-hybrid technology, making 294kW and 550Nm.
All models come fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic with high- and low-range transfer box.
Fuel Economy
The Defender 110 D250 and D300 use a claimed 9.5L/100km on the tougher WLTP test cycle.
The P300 petrol uses a claimed 12.7L/100km, and the P400 returns 12.1L/100km on the WLTP test.
Safety
ANCAP and Euro NCAP are yet to give the new Land Rover Defender a safety rating.
Regardless, all versions of the Defender come as standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), a surround camera system, cruise control with speed limiter, driver condition monitor, lane-keeping assist, parking sensors all round, and traffic sign recognition.
Standard for 2021 across the range is blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear collision monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, and a clear exit monitor.
The Defender also comes equipped with front airbags (with passenger seat occupant sensor), tyre pressure monitoring, seatbelt reminders, and ISOFIX mounts for the two outboard rear seats.
Dimensions
Land Rover quotes a length of 5018mm, width of 2008mm (mirrors folded), and height of 1967mm.
There’s also a 3022mm wheelbase, standard ground clearance of 218mm – off-road height increases to 293mm – and a boot volume of 916L-1075L (seven seat model/five seat model).
Off-road figures include approach/departure angles of 30.1/37.7 degrees in standard guise, with a standard ramp angle of 22 degrees.
In off-road mode, those figures change to 38/40/28 degrees respectively.
As for wading depth, the Defender is rated for 900mm.
Standard Equipment
The Defender 110 features:
- Electronic air suspension
- Adaptive Dynamics
- Terrain Response
- Hill launch assist
- Hill descent control
- Electric parking brake
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Core Exterior Pack
- Heated electric side mirrors with auto-dimming and approach lights
- Auto headlights and wipers
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare wheel
- Eight-way partially powered front seats
- Rubber cabin and boot flooring
- Dual-zone climate control
- 10.0-inch touchscreen navigation system
- DAB digital radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Keyless entry with push-button start
Defender 110 S adds:
- Leather gearshift
- Auto high-beam assist
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 12-way partially powered front seats
- Rear centre armrest (folding)
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Centre console with armrest
- Interactive Driver Display (digital instruments)
Defender 110 SE adds:
- Front fog lights
- Premium LED headlights with signature daytime-running lights
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- 12-way electric front seats with memory
- Electrically-adjustable steering column
- ClearSight digital rear-view mirror
- Meridian sound system
Defender 110 HSE adds:
- Sliding panoramic roof
- Matrix LED headlights with signature daytime running lights
- 20-inch alloy wheels in gloss Dark Grey
- 14-way heated and cooled front seats with memory
- Carpet mats
- Full leather steering wheel
- Extended leather interior
Defender 110 X gets:
- All-Terrain Progress Control
- Electronic Active Differential with torque vectoring via braking
- X Exterior Pack
- Black exposed rear recovery eyes
- Darkened tail lights
- 20-inch satin Dark Grey alloys
- 14-way heated and cooled front seats with memory
- Heated rear seats
- Rough-cut Walnut wood veneer
- Full-leather steering wheel (no heating)
- Illuminated tread plates with brand name script
- Extended leather interior
- Ebony Morzine headliner
- Bright metal pedals
- 10-colour premium cabin lighting
- Meridian Surround Sound System
- Head-up display
A slew of option packages will be available depending on variant, too.
SE versions only add the adaptive cruise and rear collision monitor systems as the other features are already standard, hence the cheaper $948 option price.
Next is the Premium Upgrade Interior Pack ($3713-$7547) available on Defender, S and SE models. Additional specification includes:
- 14-way heated and cooled electric front seats with memory
- Electrically-adjustable steering column
- Extended leather upgrade
- Click and Go base unit for infotainment system (Defender 110 only)
Pricing and specification depends on variant and standard equipment.
All core models (110 to HSE) are offered with the Off-Road Pack ($1448), adding:
- Electronic active differential with torque vectoring by braking
- Black roof rails
- Domestic plug sockets
The Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack is also available from base to HSE models ($2210), bringing:
- All Terrain Progress Control
- Terrain Response 2
- Configurable Terrain Response
The Cold Climate Pack ($1481) is available for all models bar the First Edition, which adds:
- Heated windscreen
- Heated washer jets
- Headlight power wash
- Heated steering wheel
A Towing Pack ($1492-$3702) is available for all variants except the First Edition, bringing:
- Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack
- Tow-hitch receiver
- Advanced Tow Assist
A new X-Dynamic Pack ($7500) has been added to the options list for 2021. It’s designed to bring design and interior cues from the roughest, toughest Defender X into the regular line-up. The package includes:
- Satin-finished bash plates
- Satin black recovery hooks
- Black alloy wheels
- Black mirror caps
- Illuminated metal interior tread plates
- Two-tone seats trimmed in ‘Robustek’
Finally, the Comfort and Convenience Pack ($818-$3046) is available on all models bar the First Edition, bringing some or all of the following content depending on model:
- Premium cabin lighting (10-colour)
- Front centre console with refrigerator compartment
- Meridian Sound System
- Wireless device charging
Land Rover Australia is also offering the Defender with a range of accessory packages to further enhance and personalise your vehicle.
Four main packs will be available – Explorer Pack, Adventure Pack, Country Pack and Urban Pack – each bringing aesthetic and functional enhancements.
The Explorer Pack is headlined by:
- Expedition Roof Rack
- Exterior side-mounted gear carrier
- Raised air intake
- Matte Black bonnet decal
- Wheel arch protection
- Front and rear classic mudflaps
The Adventure Pack gets:
- Integrated air compressor
- Exterior side-mounted gear carrier
- Portable rinse systen
- Seat Backpack
- Bright rear scuff plate
- Front and rear mudflaps
The Country Pack adds:
- Front and rear classic mudflaps
- Loadspace partition (full height)
- Portable rinse system
- Bright rear scuff plate
- Wheel arch protection
Finally, the Urban Pack gets:
- Bright metal pedals
- Bright rear scuff plate
- Spare wheel cover
- Front undershield
Servicing
Maintenance for the Land Rover Defender is priced at $1950 for five years in diesel models, or $2650 in the P400 on test here.
The Land Rover line-up is covered by a standard three-year, 100,000km new vehicle warranty in Australia.
However, the Defender is launching with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and Land Rover has indicated it doesn’t plan to move back to its three-year warranty.
