2nd generation Land Rover Defender test drive
Content
In 2016, the British auto industry stopped the production of the most hardy model of its SUVs. Occasionally, the company fueled interest in the cult Defender, providing pseudo-spy photos of supposedly restyled versions.
And so, on September 10, 2019, a brand new Land Rover Defender was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And although this is the second generation of a full-fledged SUV, only the name is common with its predecessor. In the review, we will consider what pleased the engineers of the company. And also - the pros and cons of the car.
Auto design
It seems that the engineers designed the model from scratch. Not only externally, he ceased to be like his predecessor. Even the basic design has been completely redesigned.
Front mounted beautiful optics with running lights in the style of "angel eyes." It looks impressive. However, due to the lack of a protective glass, practicality is not enough in them. A large amount of dirt can be collected on the ledges, which will be difficult to remove.
The same story with the rear dimensions. They are integrated into the plastic part of the rack. The model received two body options. This is a three-door (90) and five-door (110) modification.
Dimensions Defender new generation amounted (in millimeters):
| Length | 4323 and 4758 |
| Width | 1996 |
| Height | 1974 |
| Clearance | 218-291 |
| Wheelbase | 2587 and 3022 |
| Weight, kg. | 2240 and 3199 |
How does a car go?
First of all, the Defender family is off-road vehicles. And the new model creates a new standard for all SUV class cars. The manufacturer adapted the car for long trips. Thanks to the introduction of new technologies, even a novice will cope with the management of new items. In a difficult situation, electronic assistants will do everything themselves.
Past Defenders were rear-wheel drive by default, which added to the complexity of driving. Even on a flat road, at sharp turns I had to “catch” the car. And we can’t even talk about primer and dirt. If a car got on a deep rutted road in the rain, it was difficult to get out of it without the help of a winch.
The second generation is equipped with all-wheel drive with electronic locking rear and middle differential. Off-road, the new Defender is a real traveler. Ground clearance can be increased from 218 to 291 millimeters. The maximum ford height that can be easily overcome by car is 90 centimeters. During the test race, the car was tested on the steep mountain slopes. The maximum height that was overcome on it was 45 degrees.
Specifications
The manufacturer completely abandoned the frame structure. Now the car is built on an aluminum platform D7X. The fifth Discovery is installed on the same base. Critics may think that in this case this is not the same SUV that can be operated in extreme conditions. However, it is not.
For example, the torsional stiffness of the third and fourth generation Discovery was in the range of 15 Nm / degree, and the last Defender - 000.
At first, the manufacturer will install 4 types of engines in the engine compartment. Their main characteristics:
| R300 | P400e | D200 | D240 | |
| Motor type | 4 cylinder turbine | V-6 twin turbine soft hybrid | 4 cylinder turbine | 4 cylinders, double turbine |
| Трансмиссия | ZF 8-speed automatic | 8-zf | 8-zf | 8-zf |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Diesel | Diesel |
| Volume, l | 2,0 | 3,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 |
| Horsepower | 296 | 404 | 200 | 240 |
| Torque, Nm. | 400 | 400-645 | 419 | 419 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h., Sec. | 8,1 | 5,9 | 10,3 | 9,1 |
Over time, the range of motors will be expanded. I plan to add two more engines to it. One of them is a rechargeable hybrid. What technical characteristics they will have - time will tell.
By default, the car is equipped with an independent spring suspension. As an option, the manufacturer offers a pneumatic counterpart. For the extended version, it comes as standard.
Salon
The new Defender, of course, is not as "Spartan" as its predecessor. But you can not dream of comfort during a long off-road ride. All plastic elements of the cabin constantly rattle and creak.
At the same time, the interior looks very worthy. The seats are comfortable for tiring trips. The shortened version has five standard seats. The central armrest can be expanded, and the front row turns into a sofa for three full seats.
The same manipulations can be carried out in an extended version. Only she will be already eight.
Fuel consumption
The car is designed to conquer rough terrain. Therefore, it can not be classified as economical cars (compared to crossovers). However, thanks to Mild Hybrid technology (in gasoline engines), gas mileage is reduced. In the first seconds of movement of the car, the starter-generator helps the motor, reducing the load. Diesel engines are equipped with turbochargers that provide more efficient combustion of the fuel mixture.
As a result, the new car showed the following results:
| P400e | D200 | D240 | |
| Maximum speed, km / h. | 208 | 175 | 188 |
| Tank volume, l | 88 | 83 | 83 |
| Consumption in mixed mode, l./100 km. | 9,8 | 7,7 | 7,7 |
Cost of maintenance
Test runs emphasized the high reliability of new items. Even if you accidentally “catch” a boulder at full speed, the chassis will not crumble into spare parts. The bottom is reliably protected from breakdowns. And the system for overcoming ford will not allow the electrical components of the motor to get wet, which protects against the formation of a short circuit.
Many modern service stations have already abandoned fixed prices for certain types of work. This makes budget planning easier. So, the approximate cost of scheduled maintenance will be from $ 20 per hour for the master.
Here is the approximate cost (cu) of car maintenance:
| Comprehensive diagnostics | 25 |
| THAT (first): | |
| Consumables | 60 |
| Work | 40 |
| THAT (second): | |
| Consumables | 105 |
| Work | 50 |
Routine maintenance must be carried out every 13 km. mileage. Since sales of the car have just started, there is no need to worry about repairing it yet. The British have been developing it for a long time and its reliability corresponds to its class and purpose.
2020 Land Rover Defender Pricing
In the European market, the shortened base of the new Defender will start at $ 42. And this will be the basic configuration. For an extended model, the price starts from 000 USD. the buyer will have access to as many as six configurations.
The base will receive climate control in two zones, LED optics, heating the zone of the wipers, cameras 360 degrees. Each of the following equipment is complemented by such options:
| S | Function of automatic switching of headlights; 19-inch wheels electric and heated front seats; upholstery - combo; multimedia 10-inch display. |
| SE | Keyless entry to the cabin; luxury LED headlights; electric front seats with memory; wheels - 20 inches; electric steering wheel; 3 electronic driving aids. |
| HSE | Panoramic roof (110); folding roof made of waterproof fabric (90); matrix optics; steering wheel heating; front row of seats - leather with heating and ventilation. |
| X | Color options for hood and roof; 700 W audio system with subwoofer; projection of the instrument panel on the windshield; adaptive air suspension; adaptation to the road surface. |
| First Edition | The ability to choose individual settings. |
In addition to the basic equipment, the manufacturer offers packages:
- Explorer Safari-style air intake, roof rack and stairs.
- Adventure Built-in compressor, portable shower, external trunk on the side.
- Country. Protection on the wheel arches, external trunk, portable shower.
- Urban Black rims, pedals.
Hack and predictor Aviator
The new Land Rover Defender got a presentable appearance compared to its predecessor. Test drive pre-production models showed high reliability of all vehicle mechanisms. All changes to the news will appeal to fans of OffRoad travel.
A pre-production sample was tested in Africa. Here is a detailed trip overview:
