The Land Rover Defender 110, introduced in South Africa midway through 2020, has now been followed by the compact, short-wheelbase Defender 90.

Tracing back the roots to the original Series I model of 1948, the short-wheelbase model range comprises the base Defender S, X-Dynamic, First Edition and top-of-the-range Defender X models, each sold with a choice of four engine options.

As an entry point to the range, the Defender S features standard equipment including LED headlights with auto high beam assist, keyless entry, Ebony grained leather with woven textile seat facings, Pivi Pro 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an interactive driver display among others. Driver assistance features include items such as Terrain Response, 3D surround cameras, emergency braking, lane keep assist, 360-degree parking aid, wade sensing and a driver condition monitor.

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The X-Dynamic model bridges the gap between Defender and Defender X with a tough exterior look and unique interior fittings to set it apart from the rest of the lineup. It features gloss painted Narvik Black exterior door and wheel arch cladding with Silicon Satin skid pans. Highly durable Robustec material is found on the seat ribbons and Console Finisher. The Defender X-Dynamic is available with a choice of SE and HSE Specification Packs.

On the range-topping X derivative, the gloss black inset contrast hood is standard along with Gloss Black claddings. To give further differentiation between the X and Core vehicles, the front and rear skid pans and other detailed exterior parts are coated in a Starlight Satin finish while brake calipers are painted orange, the dashboard cross beam is a dark grey powder coat brushed finish and door sill treadplates are illuminated with Defender script.

The X also sees air suspension is fitted as standard along with an electronic active rear differential, configurable Terrain Response 2, a sliding panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlights, 14-way heated and cooled front seats, ClearSight interior rear view mirror and a head-up display among others.

The Defender First Edition, available for one year from launch, is available in Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone or Hakuba Silver, with a folding fabric sunroof incorporated in the contrast white roof. Standard fare includes air suspension, 12-way heated seats, an electrically adjustable steering column ClearSight rear view mirror and 20-inch alloys.

Also read: Buyer’s Guide: How to Find a Vehicle to Suit Your Budget

The iconic 4×4 embraces 21st century technologies and introduces Land Rover’s Pivi infotainment, which features an intuitive interface and its own back-up battery for always-on responses. Advanced software-over-the-air updates also ensure customers benefit from the latest software at all times, wherever they are in the world.

Configurable Terrain Response allows drivers to set up the vehicle to suit precise off-road conditions and surfaces when adventuring. The Terrain Response 2 system also includes a new Wade program which optimises all the vehicle systems accordingly to allow safe passage through water up to 900mm deep.

Customers can personalise their Defender 90 with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements.

The Explorer Pack includes additions like a lightweight Expedition roof rack to carry up to 132kg, and a 24 litre exterior side-mounted gear carrier. The Adventure Pack, includes features like a portable rinse system for hosing off boots, bikes and wetsuits, and an integrated air compressor ideal for inflating tyres or air mattresses, and the same side-mounted Gear Carrier.

A Country Pack equips the Defender with features like a full height loadspace partition to prevent items in the rear loadspace from entering the cabin, and the portable rinse system. Finally, the Urban Pack offers a spare wheel cover, and front undershield protection to make the Defender stand out with style in the concrete jungle.

At South African launch the Defender 90 lineup includes four engine options comprising two diesels and two petrols. A 2.0-litre D240 turbodiesel produces 177kW and 430Nm, enabling 0-100km/h in 9 seconds with a top speed of 188km/h, while a 2.0-litre P300 turbopetrol with 221kW and 400Nm achieves 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 191km/h.

More powerful 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder options include a P400 petrol featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology with outputs of 294kW and 550Nm, and a D300 diesel with 221kW and an impressive torque figure of 650Nm. These two models accelerate from 0-100 in 6 and 6.7 seconds respectively, with top speeds of 191km/h for both.

Defender 90 Pricing:

  • Defender 90  D240 S — R1,095,600
  • Defender 90 D300 S — R1,186,800
  • Defender 90 P300 S — R1,095,600
  • Defender 90 P400 S — R1,214,200
  • Defender 90  D240 X-Dynamic SE — R1,215,500
  • Defender 90 D300 X-Dynamic SE — R1,297,000
  • Defender 90 P300 X-Dynamic SE — R1,215,500
  • Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE — R1,338,600
  • Defender 90  D240 X-Dynamic HSE — R1,284,400
  • Defender 90 D300 X-Dynamic HSE — R1,365,900
  • Defender 90 P300 X-Dynamic HSE — R1,284,400
  • Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic HSE — R1,407,500
  • Defender 90 D240 First Edition — R1,223,800
  • Defender 90 P400 First Edition — R1,341,700
  • Defender 90 D300 X — R1,542,100
  • Defender 90 P400 X — R1,575,000

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