The New Defender

by Michael Satterfield

Land Rover pulled the cover off the highly anticipated new Defender at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in the only way a Land Rover should be revealed, driving down a steep ramp to showcase its off-road prowess. The latest 4X4 is the just the third generation of Defender to be produced since the iconic original launched in 1983, as a replacement for the first Land Rover series 4X4s. Known the world over for their rugged capability and reliability original Defenders, some over 30 years old, can be found still operating in even the most remote parts of the world.


Land Rover claims that the new Defender is the most capable and durable Land Rover vehicle ever made having just conquered the Valley of the Castles in the Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan. Like the original, the new Defender is built to go anywhere, haul people and equipment, and be the off-road flagship for the storied off-roading marque. Like the original, the new Defender will be offered in a 90 (two-door) and 110 (four-door) body style.


Land Rover also announced it would continue its partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), a relationship that stretches back over 65 years when Land Rover provided a specialy modified Defender that functioned as a mobile dispensary in the Middle East. 

Unlike the previous generation of Defender, the new model offers more luxurious trim levels and four unique accessories packs. Trim levels include  S, SE, HSE, First Edition, and top-of-the-range Defender X.


Four distinct Accessory Packs are available:

  • Explorer Pack: The Explorer Pack is ideal for off-road adventures, equipped with a lightweight 57lbs Expedition Roof Rack(4), Exterior Side-mounted Gear Carrier, Wheel Arch Protection and a Spare Wheel Cover. A Matte Black hood decal, featuring ‘90’ or ‘110’ cut-out detailing, completes the Explorer Pack’s head-turning appearance
  • Adventure Pack: Ideal for time spent outdoors, the Adventure Pack features a Portable Rinse System with a 1.7 gallon (6.5-liter) pressurized water reservoir, trunk-mounted Integrated Air Compressor and Exterior Side-mounted Gear Carrier. A practical 6.3 gallon Seat Backpack, which you can take with you when you leave the vehicle, completes the interior
  • Country Pack: Designed for time spent off the beaten track, the Country Pack features rugged Wheel Arch Protection, a Bright Rear Scuff Plate, a Portable Rinse System, and Full-Height Loadspace Partition
  • Urban Pack: To stand out in the concrete jungle, the Urban Pack adds a Bright Rear Scuff Plate, Spare Wheel Cover, and Front Undershield while Bright Metal Pedals add to the rugged interior
So far the new Defender looks good and they claim it has all the capabilities that made the original a legend, I will reserve my final judgments until I get behind the wheel of one, but so far, it looks like they have kept the legacy of the Defender alive.

Build your own at landroverusa.com/defender