Land Rover Defender updated for South Africa – New model, engine, and features

Land Rover has updated the Defender series for South Africa, simplifying the specification choices for customer convenience while adding new items across the board.

The update has also introduced a new model to the line-up in the form of the 110 Sedona Edition – a stylish take on the X-Dynamic HSE – as well as a more powerful diesel engine to replace the D300 units.

110 Sedona Edition

The new model takes its name from Sedona, Arizona, in the United States – a region where the landscape features deep red hues from its iron-rich sandstone landforms.

This is reflected by the Defender’s Sedona Red paint job, which is complemented by the Extended Black Pack entailing Narvik Black Defender script, front grille, and skid plates.

It also comes with a set of 22-inch gloss black alloy wheels and a body-coloured spare wheel cover which a colour combination that is unique to this particular Defender.

The Sedona is a limited-edition series that was first introduced on the eight-seater Defender 130 and is now available on the 110 for one year only.

Buyers can also grab an optional bonnet decal depicting the topography of Sedona, and a body-coloured exterior side-mounted gear carrier suitable for storing items like wet clothing or dirty equipment.

The exclusive model is based on the 110 X-Dynamic HSE and comes standard with the new Signature Interior Pack afforded to those units.

Signature Interior Pack

The Signature Interior Pack is a comprehensive suite of upgrades included as standard on the Defender X and V8 units, and an optional extra on the Dynamic HSE.

It adds 14-way, electronically-adjustable front seats with heating, cooling, and memory functions, and new supportive winged headrests.

Climate seats have also been added to the second row, and benefit from the winged headrests on the 110 and 130 derivatives.

Additionally, the third bench now features heated seats to ensure greater comfort for all passengers in cold conditions.

The package also provides a material upgrade to the seats with Windsor Leather and Kvadrat upholstery available in either an Ebony or Caraway-and-Ebony finish.

Other parts of the cabin have a new Ultrafabric finish in Light Cloud and Lunar colour schemes.

The Defender’s exposed cross bar beam is metallic grey with a powder coat finish, while the moulded trim aspects are finished in Satin Black with subtle chrome accents.

Depending on the seating arrangement, the headlining will have either a Light Cloud or Ebony appearance.

Defender 130 Captain Chairs Pack

Buyers of the 130 can now opt for a pair of individual second-row Captain Chairs separated by an aisle that affords easier access to the rear bench.

These seats have heating and ventilation and provide a much greater degree of comfort and space for second-row passengers, said Land Rover.

They come with armrests on each side, the new winged headrests, and twin cupholders located on a raised area just behind the front centre console to add another layer of practicality.

Simplified specifications

Going forward, Defender buyers can choose between S, X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE, X, and V8 specifications across the 90, 110, and 130 body styles.

Each model can now be kitted out with a variety of optional packs, which comprise:

Driving and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Packs:

• Off-Road Pack – Electronic Active Differential, black roof rails, all-terrain tyres, domestic plug socket, Wade Sensing
• Advanced Off-Road Pack – All-Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response 2, Configurable Terrain Response
• Driver Assist Pack – Blind Spot Assist, Rear Collision Monitor, Rear Traffic Monitor

Cold Climate and Towing Packs:

• Cold Climate Pack – Heated windscreen, washer jets, and steering wheel, plus headlight power wash
• Towing Pack (90 and 110) – Advanced Tow Assist, electronically-deployable tow bar or tow hitch receiver, All-Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response 2, and Configurable Terrain Response
• Towing Pack 2 (130) – As above, but with a detachable tow bar or tow hitch receiver

Interior Packs:

• Signature Interior Pack – Front-row heated and cooled electric memory seats with winged headrests, second-row climate seats with winged headrests, suedecloth headlining, leather steering wheel, Windsor Leather and Kvadrat or Ultrafabrics seats
• Signature Interior Pack with Captain Chairs Pack – As above, but with second-row Captain Chairs with heating and cooling, and winged headrests
• Comfort and Convenience Pack – Configurable Cabin Lighting, Meridian Sound System, front centre console refrigerator compartment, and soft-close tail door
• Premium Upgrade Interior Pack – Leather steering wheel, Extended Leather Upgrade, leather gearshift, 14-way heated and cooled electric memory front seats, and electrically-adjustable steering column

Third Row Seating Packs:

• Family Pack (110) – Three-zone climate control, air quality sensor and Cabin Air Purification Plus, and manual third-row seats
• Family Comfort Pack (110) – As above, but with heated third-row seats and three-zone climate control with rear cooling assist

New diesel engine

The final big change to the premium SUV is a new D350 diesel engine, which replaces the previous D300 powerplants.

The 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel boasts an output of 257kW and 700Nm, an improvement of 36kW and 50Nm over the previous iteration.

As before, all D350 variants rely on an eight-speed automatic gearbox which connects to all four wheels.