It can now be ordered in the United States.
The three-row Land Rover Defender was first seen in August 2013, when we witnessed a prototype camouflaged and being tested on public roads. It was a hint at the changes that were planned for the most capable offroader in the British company’s lineup as it transitions towards a more family-friendly model. The Defender 130 is now available with eight seats, standard equipment and two electrified engines for the United States.
Available in S, SE and X-Dynamic SE trims, as well as a First Edition version, the longest Defender has been extended by 13.38inches at the back. This is most visible in the extended rearoverhang. The rugged SUV now has a 2+3+3 seating arrangement. With the second and third rows folded, the cargo area can now hold up to 80.9 cubic yards (2,291 Liters) of storage. The Defender 130 can hold 43.5 cubic feet (1,232 Liters) of cargo in a five-seat configuration.
Land Rover claims that the third row can comfortably seat up to three adults, with ample headroom on all eight seats. The Defender 130 has a four-zone climate control and each row has its own ventilation system. The automaker claims that it is easy to get into the third row thanks to the folding and moving second row. The button located in the load area controls the air suspension of the SUV, making it easier to load stuff into the trunk.
Standard equipment on the Defender 130 includes a 10.25 inch infotainment screen (standard on the X specification) and an 11.4 inch instrument cluster display. Cabin Air Purification Plus, a patented technology that reduces pathogens and eliminates odors and viruses, makes its debut on Defenders. The three-row Defender is the only place that you can find new color combinations and trim finishes.
The Defender 130 is powered by two electrified gasoline engines in the United States. There is no V8 available at the moment. The base model is the P300. It has a 3.0-liter mild hybrid turbocharged engine with 296 horsepower (218 Kilowatts) and 347 pounds (470 Newton-meters), of torque between 1,500 – 4,250 rpm. The P400 is the more powerful six-cylinder engine. It produces 395 horsepower (290 kW) as well as 406 lbft (550 Nm), between 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. Each Defender 130 is equipped with Land Rover’s all wheel-drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission, both developed by ZF. Every Defender 130 comes standard with air suspension and the Terrain response system.
The Defender 130 is a very capable vehicle on and off the roads. The Defender 130 can tow 8,200 pounds (3.720 kg) and can carry a maximum payload of 1,760 lbs (798kg). The eight-seat Defender is a potential overlanding vehicle. Its maximum roof weight is 662 lbs (3,720 kg) when it is stationary and 360 lbs (163kg) when it is in motion.
The new Defender 130 is available in the USA with a $68,000 starting price, including delivery and destination taxes.