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110)C NG CLEVER
Page 36
Page 38
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While still not quite a luxury item, the Land Rover Defender's )C at least takes the rougher edges off the old bruiser. And when i.
comes to real off-road conditions... Julian Milines report!
Boxing has changed over recent years. It used to be all about naked aggression and a rugged exterior:now it's tangled up in media manipulation and money. In a similar way 4x4s have changed from purposeful workhorses to fashion accessories. So in these modern times is there any place for the world's best known 4x4: the Land Rover Defender? Nowadays this iconic old-school bruiser is up against more comfortable, and cheaper machines — we were intrigued to see how it would shape up.
Available in nine body styles including crewcab, pickup and station wagon, and three wheelbases, the Defender's evolution has been a slow one with the exterior remaining pretty much intact. Behind the scenes, selectable four-wheel drive is now permanent, still with low and high ratios:many components have been improved or replaced. But all in all, it's business as usual with no excuses offered for its lack of new-world development.
There's only one engine in the range, diesel of course; a 2.5-litre turbo unit, codenamed Td5. It produces 122hp at 4,200rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1,95Orpm. Land Rover has attempted to drag its trusty steed into the 21st century with the introduction of the XS pack for fashion conscious off-roaders.While not exactly the Ritz, the XS model is certainly an improvement on previous Land Rovers in terms of `extras'. Back then seats were considered a bit of a luxury and you were lucky if it had doors, or so people claim. It's like listening to your grandad's war stories when the older generation recount their exeperiences with Land Rovers back in 1856, such is the nostalgia for this evergreen outhouse.
The latest incarnation of this all-terrain workhorse runs to alloy wheels, part leather seats, CD/radio,ABS, air-con, electric front windows, side runners and body coloured wheel arches. Our test model also boasted the Cold Climate Pack: heated front seats and windscreen. Including the XS upgrade and Cold Climate Pack, the Defender we drove will set you back a hefty £28,390 (ex-VAT).
Productivity
With common-rail diesel technology under the bonnet there can't be any excuses when it comes to fuel consumption. But with a GVW of three tonnes the Defender cannot be considered a twiakletoes and this was reflected in the 27.3mpg recorded for a laden run round our Kent test route.This was some way behind the Nissan Terrano's 32.9mpg, but ahead of th Iveco-powered Santana's 25.8mpg.Things improved slightly to 29.7mpg for the unladen run, but again, the Defender was well down oi the Terrano's 35.6mpg.
If you're after load volume you might be better off looking elsewhere, as 1.4m3is all the Land Rover can swallow.This is offset by a 995kg payload that eclipses most of its rivals, but getting your load in is not the easiest task in the world due to the restricted rear door thl has the handle partly obscured by the spare wheel and is narrower than its rivals — a telling sign of its age.
Our example came with four fold-down seats that extend passenger capacity to eight. They fold up without taking up too much space so if you need to move that many peopl, they ought to be on your spec list.
Servicing is called for every 12,000 miles, an although it's not usually seen as alongdistance mile eater, the Defender gets a three year/unlimited-distance warranty.
On the road
If you haven't driven a Defender before you'l probably have plenty of preconceptions abou agricultural machinery. But constant tinkerin over the product's lifetime has helped refine its capabilities.TheTd5 engine idles evenly and doesn't feel as if it's sat in your lap; engine bay soundproofing is better than expected.
Engage the clutch (a bit on the stiff side but no doubt heavy-duty with it) and bite comes in with no obvious jerks or snatches. Low-down response can have you on the brink of stalling when pulling away, but overall there's enough power to keep the plot moving at a decent pace. Also helping expunge the image of a motorised brick is the ride which, while not comparable to 'modern' 4x4s, is not as bad as expected;-firm" is probably the best description.
With permanent four-wheel drive, cornering does not require split-second timing to hustle it through. Corner at a reasonable pace and it feels unshakeable, but we didn't feel inclined to push it too hard, assuming it would be a handful. Steering is on the heavy side and has a high ratio; a Jinn grip is required when manoeuvring, but in a straight line at high speed it's light enough for small corrections.
But some things can't be eradicated, even by years of development.Take that floor mounted gearshift. In keeping with the Defender's character, it moves from gate to gate with the slickness of a super-glued rhino and combined with the foot-pumping clutch it gives the left side of your body a full workout.
But if all this mediocrity makes the Defender sound pointless there are two words that redeem it: "off" and "road". Hit the dirt, or at least the 4x4 course, and the Land Rover comes into its element.
Cambers, inclines and mud are meat and drink to the Defender,making those modern comfort machines seem a bit too cosseting. If your idea of arduous terrain is an unsurfaced road and the odd field you won't appreciate the built-for-destruction mechanicals. But if you need to climb over rocks and through forests,remember,this Land Rover will take a bash better than mostand look cooler for it.
Cab comfort
The Defender's XS upgrade pack helps upgrade the basic interior, hut if you can't live without state-of-the-art ergonomics look elsewhere. For example, heater switches arc mounted on the sides of the driver's instrument pod and are sliding levers as opposed to dials.
Further wackiness can be seen in the driving position, which is restricting for six-footers and very much in the sit-up-and-beg mould on the plus side it does give you a commanding view of the road ahead and, importantly. what the front corners are up to.
Manoeuvring in tight spaces is a prerequisite for this machine, and we're not talking about the car park.
The biggest recent development in the interior is the addition of a fascia-mounted console, housing the CD player, electric window and heated seat switches among othe things. Immediate storage is not too bad, with an open glove box,several cubby holes and a lidded storage box between the front two seal Speaking of seats, the rear bench should accommodate three passengers with no problems and has a 60:40 split for long loads.