The new Land Rover Defender has started arriving in Australia and this year’s allocation of diesel variants has already sold out.
More than 9000 Australians registered their interest in the new Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Australia told MotoFomo. And that has led to the brand selling out its 2020 allocation of diesel 110 D200 and D240 models. There are still some P400 variants available.
While Land Rover wouldn’t split the numbers for us, it did say the initial mix of diesel to petrol variant purchases is skewed towards diesel, with a current ratio of 60:40. This suggests that the initial rush to purchase is by those who intend to use their Defender away from town.
MotoFomo will be driving the new Defender later this month but if you can’t wait for our local test, then you should check out Paul Horrell’s UK-based drive of the Defender 110 D240 First Edition by clicking on these blue words.
Land Rover reckons the new Defender is the toughest vehicle it’s ever produced. And its numbers are pretty impressive and so is the fact that it’s appeal will run from those looking for a rugged touring off-roader to those who are after a comfortable around town family hauler (but want to give off the impression they’re adventurous).
The air suspension can raise ground clearance up to 291mm. And without diff banjos the underbody is smooth. At that ride height you also get 900mm of wading depth and the electronics and wiring are all dust and waterproof, rated to be submerged for up to 30 min and still operate. More numbers, approach and departure angles are 38 and 40 degrees with a 28-degree breakover on the 110 D240. Payload is 900kg and the maximum braked towing limit is 3500kg. The recovery points are safe for a 6.5-tonne snatch load, and the optional winch is good for 4.5 tonnes of pull.
In terms of engines available, there are three distinct variants, the petrol-engined P400 which is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder making 294kW and 550Nm of torque. Then there’s the diesel engine, the D240 which is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo making 177kW and 430Nm of torque, the D200 also runs the same engine but it’s detuned to 147kW although it makes the same 430Nm of torque.
In terms of pricing, the new Defender isn’t cheap but then nor was the old one. Prices start from $69,626+ORC for the entry-level 110 D200, climb to $75,536+ORC for the entry D240 variant and then climb all the way up to $136,736+ORC for the P400 X variant. There are a bunch of cost options and a handful of ‘adventure’ packs that can be added on, including things like panniers and a shower, ladder and more.
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