Much to the chagrin of outdoor and off-roading enthusiasts everywhere, the Land Rover Defender ceased production in 2016. Thankfully, it wasn’t permanent, as the legendary automotive brand recently announced they were revamping the whole lineup for 2020. And now, the “most capable and durable” Land Rover ever has finally been revealed.
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show to plenty of fanfare, this new 4×4 Defender has certainly not disappointed. It’s now built upon a new D7x architecture designed to withstand the Extreme Event Test procedure — meaning it can tackle extreme terrain, including the ability to scale a 42-degree incline, ford deeper waters than ever (35.4″), and more. It can also tow up to 8,201 and house up to 661 pounds on the roof (though that drops to 370-pounds when in-motion). This is possible thanks, in part, to loads of new technologies and features, including Configurable Terrain Response; a locking center differential; active rear and locking differential; the option for petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric powertrains (up to 395hp); and more. The cabin has also seen some pretty major upgrades in the form of an automatically-updating, intuitive PIVI Pro infotainment center complete with a 10″ touchscreen display that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And, of course, it will be available in a larger 110 format with the 90 soon to follow. Perhaps most impressively, however, pricing will start at a low $49,900.
