Long, Longer, Longest |
Alongside the critically acclaimed Defender 90 and Defender 110, the recently introduced Defender 130 now adds another dimension to the family of all-terrain Land Rover vehicles, with adventuring opportunities for up to eight adults across three rows of full-size seating.
Like the 90 and 110, the new 130 body design borrows its name from the original Defender family, inspired by the longest model in the line-up, according to Land Rover. However, strictly speaking, this is incorrect – as limited numbers of a longer model, the 147, were exclusively built in South Africa in 2005 by Land Rover Special Vehicles.
According to the Solihull-based manufacturer, the new 130 can effortlessly transport up to eight people across any terrain, but the six-door 147 Station Wagon in the original Defender series could carry up to 11 passengers in relative comfort. The new 130 is distinguished from the other models by various exterior and interior design enhancements and technologies.
The range has a unique colour palette, including an exclusive Sedona Red option. The exterior is complemented by an Extended Bright Pack – available in addition to the existing Bright Pack – providing a distinct silver and chrome finish around all lower body cladding and the skid plates.
The iconic Defender silhouette has been extended by 340 mm to provide enhanced interior space. A panoramic sunroof is standard, with a second sunroof above the third row, and a subtle boat tail-style uplift at the rear provides a departure angle of 28.5 degrees. Narvik Black roof rails are fitted as standard.
Besides clever storage and convenience solutions for every passenger across the three rows of seating, the interior design features new colour and material options and the latest connectivity technology, including an 11.4″ Pivi Pro touchscreen (with the integration of the global location platform, what3words), Approach Unlock, Automated Walkaway Lock, and Cabin Air Purification Plus.
Additional touches ensure a comfortable passenger experience in all rows, including heated seats, padded armrests and USB-C provision for charging devices on the move. Carpets are also fitted throughout to suit the 130’s unique character, and large windows provide excellent visibility in all three rows.
Specification Levels
The130 provides a spacious, practical load area with up to 389 litres of cargo volume, even with the rearmost seats in place. The stow-able seats are split in 40:20:40 configuration for added convenience, and Isofix child seat attachments are found on up to five of the seats. The five-seat version of Defender 130 offers up to 2,516 litres, with the second row folded down.
In addition to a First Edition model, the Defender 130 will be available in South Africa in X-Dynamic HSE and X specifications. The First Edition is available in three combinations, each with a distinct colour and design theme.
This builds on the HSE specification with an extensive equipment list, including Matrix LED headlamps, heated second and third-row seating, four-zone climate control, Meridian Sound System, Driver Assist Pack and Privacy Glass. All feature 20” alloy wheels as standard, with a choice of P400 mild-hybrid Ingenium six-cylinder petrol or D300 diesel Ingenium six-cylinder powertrains.
The Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology with a 48V Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) to harvest energy provides seamless responses and enhanced fuel economy. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV drivetrain in the P400 delivers 294 kW and 550 Nm of torque from 2,000-5,000 rpm, good enough for a 0-100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds.
The D300’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel delivers 221 kW and 650 Nm of torque at 1,500-2,500 rpm with enhanced torque delivery, smooth responses and good fuel economy, alongside a 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds. Power is delivered to the wheels via an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) system and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The iAWD technology efficiently manages power distribution between the front and rear axles, optimising on-road efficiency and all-terrain capability in combination with the standard Electronic Air Suspension with Adaptive Dynamics and Terrain Response system.
The Electronic Air Suspension system allows for up to 430 mm of articulation, with 71.5 mm of additional lift at the front (73.5 mm at the rear) in off-road height, and the Defender 130 can ford up to 900 mm of water. The Defender’s all-terrain capability also relies on its aluminium-intensive monocoque D7x architecture, with a torsional rigidity of 25 kNm/Degree.
Last Word
The New Defender 130 will be available in South Africa towards the end of the year, with prices (as currently stated) ranging from R1,731,600 for the X-Dynamic HSE, R1,736,000 for the First Edition and R1,902,100 for the 130 X, all without any options.
Report by: Ferdi de Vos | Images © Jaguar Land Rover
