Land Rover dealers prepare for the release of the new Defender

Few cars in recent times have caused quite the fizz of expectation that is currently swirling around the new Defender. Land Rover is boldly billing its keenly-anticipated reinvention of its iconic model as a car ‘capable of great things’. It can be pretty confident already that the ultra-rugged newest Landie’s promise of greatness will include making a decent profit for Land Rover retailers.

Within 36 minutes of the new age Defender’s reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the first customer order was placed. It was for a 110X, priced at a whopping £78.800, and the buyer added a very specific accessory to the specification list: a branded dog bowl. Within a week, and with a wait well into next year before first deliveries, there were already over 2,000 orders.

It confirmed a sunny reception for the born-again Defender, which appears three years on from the demise of the undeniably rustic though much-loved old car. Now a sought-after classic, the famously tough old Defender was officially in production for over 30 years, from 1983 to 2016. But its status as a great British icon derives directly from its similarity to predecessors dating back seven decades to 1948.

Of course the new car is radically different to its forebears, including styling that has been controversially but respectfully updated. It pays homage to the past, but with smoother edges and far fewer sharp angles. The architecture has similarly revised, from the separate body-on-steel-chassis structure of the old car to a modern aluminium unibody, based on a similar platform to that on which other current Land Rovers are built.

Suspension design has been overhauled too, from archaic solid axles to double wishbones at the front and integral link independent suspension at the rear. Standard versions will come with coil-springs, but Range Rover-style air suspension will be available higher up the range.

Permanently engaged four-wheel-drive and an eight-speed auto transmission will be standard kit, along with a two-speed high/low range transfer case and locking centre differential that is engaged via the dashboard touchscreen. A locking rear differential is optional.

Some may question the old-school look of a spare wheel mounted on the side-opening rear door, but that’s a deliberate engineering decision to defend the car’s crucial off-road capability. It has moved upwards from a position underneath the rear of the old model. Other hardware has moved too, including the battery and cooling circuits, to ensure short front and rear overhangs and to reinforce severe all-terrain prowess.

Will the new Defender be as admirably off-road capable as its illustrious predecessor though? Apparently not. From the figures quoted for approach and departure angles, as well as slightly reduced ground clearance and longer body overhangs, an old Defender will remain the ultimately superior off-roader.

The 2020 Defender is scheduled to arrive in newly revamped ‘Arch Concept’ Land Rover showrooms next spring, around April time. Initially it will just be available as the 110, the first member of what the company is calling ‘a family of all terrain heroes’. The standard 110 hits the road priced from £45,240, and is being offered as a five, six or seven (officially 5+2) seater.

The next addition to the family will arrive around autumn next year, when the base model 90 will come with a starting price mooted at £40,290 and a choice of five or six seats. Also due towards the end of next year is the Defender Commercial, coming in both three-door 90 and five-door 110 variants. Plug-in hybrid models will join the mix too, scheduled for before the end of 2020. Initial engine options are four and six-cylinder petrol units and a four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel.

Progress towards the Defender’s arrival is currently being steadily ramped up in the dealer network. It started last month with depositor previews at Land Rover’s Solihull and Halewood factories, although neither is the home base for the new Defender, which is being built in Slovakia alongside the Discovery.in mid-October Land Rover dealers commenced a ‘Featured Placement’ drop-in event to let potential customers learn more about the car.

Now this month phase two of the build-up to the delivery stage has begun. This will continue throughout the rest of this year and until 29th January. It involves pre-production Defenders in showrooms, and early adopter buyers invited to attend a vehicle walk-around with a vehicle specialist who has undergone intensive advance training.

They have had a lot to learn, including knowledge of the 170 accessories designed to be available from launch, and all of which have had to be durability tested alongside the vehicle in punishingly tough conditions. Durable dog bowl, anyone?

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Written for Motor Trader by Sue Baker