It's finally here - Land Rover's new 2020 Defender hits the market and is more powerful than ever. After all the drama, all the teasers, all the leaked images and the alleged spec sheets and guesses, the manufacturer has finally revealed the brand new model in all its glory. Visually, however, the model appears heavy again, which should not be seen as a significant departure from the versions of yesteryear. Given the countless challenges car designers face today, they will continue to be faced for decades to come. The first model came out at the turn of the 80s. With regard to fuel consumption requirements and, above all, crash test standards, the few changes are anything but surprising.
The basic proportions of the two new models are a two-door variant called Defender 90 and a four-door model called Defender 110. The actual wheelbases are 101.9 and 119 inches respectively. These are, as one might suspect, clearly from Land Rover. However, the curved nose and angular headlights are decidedly new for the latest model. We reserve final judgment until we can see it in person. But considering how well Mercedes-Benz has managed to update the G-Class for the modern age without sacrificing the SUV's iconic style, we can't help but wish Land Rover got a little closer to that tradition.
Land Rover also ensures that buyers have plenty of options to customize the look of their 2020 Defender to suit their personal tastes. Seven metallic paints and 12 different wheels are available. These include 18-inch rims with a cute look, which are the first choice for real off-roaders, and 22-inch aluminum rims, which are the favorite of the Rodeo Drive set. The new Land Rover also offers a factory protective cover that gives the metallic paint a satin finish and provides an additional layer of protection against scratches and dents.
Off-road capability and compact design
As if that wasn't enough, the English manufacturer's brand new off-road vehicle offers a choice of four so-called accessory packages. In these, the developers have added features and details for different lifestyles. There is the “Urban Pack”, which provides more shine outdoors. It's also likely to result in insults being thrown at other drivers. There is also the “Explorer Pack”, which includes a roof rack and a side-mounted wheel rack, as well as a spare wheel cover, a wheel arch protector and a matt black bonnet decal. There is also the “Adventure Pack”, which also includes the side-mounted bike rack. However, it does have a 1.7-gallon pressurized water tank and a trunk-mounted air compressor. Finally, there is also the “Country Pack”, which is made up of the above elements and includes wheel arch protection, flushing system and shiny rear scuff plate.
Luckily, everything else about the new model seems to be exactly what customers expected. The most important part is off-road capability. Every 2020 Land Rover Defender comes standard with full-time, low-range four-wheel drive to provide a solid foundation to build on. The center and rear differentials can be locked if necessary, while the standard Terrain Response and optional Terrain Response 2 systems optimize the vehicle for different types of surfaces, from mud to sand to snow.
With the landing gear set to off-road height, the car offers 11.5 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 38 and 40 degrees, a breakover point of 31 degrees, and a maximum depth of 35.4 inches without a snorkel. The model is even smart enough to pull the brakes and evaporate the water when climbing out of the depths. These details mean that the Defender 2020 proves to be a worthy opponent of theJeep Wranglerand Toyota Land Cruiser could prove to be good off-road. You can even add an integrated front winch or snorkel as an accessory.
Variants of engines of the Defender 2020
In the USA there was a choice between two engines at launch. The technicians have equipped lower versions with the 2.0-liter inline four with a turbocharger. This can be found in the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque and delivers 296 hp and 399 Nm of torque. That's enough energy to start the car from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.7 seconds.
High-quality features characterize the mild hybrid inline-6 turbocharger of the latest Range Rover Sport. This produces 395 hp and 550 Nm of torque, as well as a time of 5.8 seconds between 0 and 100. In both cases, the same eight-speed automatic controls the drive of all four wheels. This is used in most Jaguar Land Rover models. It's practically standard on half of the new cars on sale today. The drive train is strong enough to tow up to 3 tons.
Modern and multifunctional interior
Inside, the car offers an unexpected amount of space, thanks to a standard bench in the Defender 90's front row, which theoretically seats six people (The Defender 110 offers five-, six-, and five-plus-two seating configurations, the latter a small one back seat included). There are three types of tri: textile, leather and combination seats. Open-pore wood is an option for pieces that are not upholstered, such as powder-coated or white-painted metal.
The controls and technical details are primarily located in the magnesium frame. This extends the width of the dashboard and makes the 2020 Defender the stiffest Land Rover ever. The focus, however, is a new infotainment system called “PIVI Pro”. This is based on a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions. Land Rover claims it is simpler and easier to use than the company's previous variants. Admittedly, there's no clear benchmark, considering previous JLR infotainment systems have been some of the most frustrating in the industry. There's also a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional full-color head-up display. These provide the driver with information in a way that keeps their eyes closer to the road.
