The new LandRover Defender 130 brings a gargantuan boot and the option of eight seats, but still promises to be one of the best 4x4s by far
Land Rover points out that because it has crafted a “subtle boat-tail uplift” of the lower body behind the rear wheels to make room for the extra space, the 130 has a departure angle of 28.5deg – lower than the 110’s 40deg but still competitive against its luxury off-roading rivals.
As with the range-topping V8 versions of the 90 and 110, the 130 comes as standard with the largest, 11.4in curved touchscreen in Land Rover’s portfolio, running the latest generation of the firm’s Pivi Pro software. The 130 can be had with a choice of new interior trim options, including chrome air vents and seat switches, oak veneer and tan leather seats.
It is available in a choice of five trims from launch: SE, HSE, X-Dynamic, X and limited-run First Edition – the last of which is offered in three “carefully curated” bespoke colour combinations and comes with the bulk of the option boxes ticked. All variants are equipped with adaptive air suspension, giving up to 430mm of articulation and, in its highest setting, a wading depth of 900mm.
There is no word yet on additional powertrain derivatives, but the 90 and 110 are each available with plug-in hybrid and performance-oriented V8 options. Prices range from £73,895 for the entry-level petrol car and climb to £98,400 for the range-topping diesel, while the limited-run First Edition nudges the price just slightly over the £100,000 mark.Vehicle programmes boss Nick Collins has called an open-backed Defender “technically possible”. There’s no sign of a truck yet but the 130 shows how flexible this platform is.