Upgrading an Icon

Making their debut at the IAA, Frankfurt are the latest models for 2002 in the Defender range. The Defender is the icon of the Land Rover brand – its familiar shape harking back to the first Land Rovers launched in 1948. The latest Defender for 2002 is a modern vehicle with a host of new features including central door locking, electric front windows, a new rear end door and revised facia. These new features join 4-channel anti lock braking system and electronic traction control to give Defender a significant specification uplift. Defenders sold in Europe are powered by the 122 PS direct injection, 5 cylinder, 2.5 litre Td5 diesel engine featuring electronic unit injectors. The 110 PS 300 Tdi, 2.5 litre, 4 cylinder engine is available for sales outside Europe.

New Features for 2002

The latest Defender 2002 model year vehicles have received a significant facelift to the interior, new convenience features and improvements to the chassis, heater and in-car entertainment systems. For the Defender 90 County Station Wagon the bulkhead has been deleted to improve space in the cabin and provide more front seat recline. The facia has been revised to include a new centre console with new switches. Other revisions to the dash area include improvements to the heater system and to the wiper mechanism. In addition to the heater improvements an optional cold climate pack, comprising heated front seats and heated windscreen is available. The in-car entertainment system has been improved with a new radio/cassette unit being fitted in certain markets while all vehicles are now fitted with a radio preparation kit.

A major change for Defender Station Wagon variants is a new rear end door. The new door is made from zinc plated steel with both the inner pressing and outer panel being one-piece for improved consistency, corrosion protection and sealing. The rear window is retained by a continuous seal and a central, high mounted stop lamp is fitted.

Central door locking is another new feature for 2002. The system operates using a remote control plip, the driver's sill button or the driver's door lock. The security of the door locks has also been increased and Defender now has a common key for the ignition and the door lock. All Defender models can be fitted with electric front windows operated from switches on the new centre console.

Chassis improvements include new Panhard rods with larger bushes and upgraded Panhard rod support brackets. The rear brakes on Defender 110 and 130 models have been improved with new brake calipers and thicker friction material. For certain markets with severe environmental conditions new, aerodynamic deflectors can be fitted to improve protection of the rear brakes when driving on unsealed roads for example.

New Derivatives

The Defender 110 Double Cab is the latest derivative of the Defender range. Designed to tackle this fast growing sector of the utility market the Defender Double Cab has a genuine payload of over 1000 kg as well as carrying up to 6 passengers. The Defender Double Cab has the versatility to tackle all aspects of the utility sector from a tough workhorse to leisure vehicle. The leisure segment offering is enhanced by the availability of the ‘County’ derivative that features body coloured wheelarch ‘eyebrows’, tinted glass, ‘Techno’ cloth trim and a radio/cassette player. Side and rear steps and front and rear mudflaps are also included in the County specification. Metallic paint and ‘Freestyle’ alloy wheels with 235/85 tyres are also available as options and the vehicle can be enhanced by a wide variety of accessories including driving lamps, wing top protectors, lamp guards and winches. The Defender Double Cab is also available with vinyl trim and solid paint to fulfil the tough workhorse role for which its 1080 kg payload makes it supremely capable.

A Wide Model Range

Other models in the Defender range are the short wheelbase Defender 90, the Defender long wheel base 110 and the extended wheelbase Defender 130. All these models are available in soft top, pick up, hard top and station wagon styles. In addition the Defender 110 is available with a full-width high capacity pick up rear body while the Defender 130 is available as a crew cabs with a full-width pick up rear body. All Defender models are available in chassis/cab form for bodywork conversions.

Defender models for 2002 retain the option of ABS brakes and 4-wheel Electronic Traction Control to improve traction in all conditions both on and off-road.

The Defender model range is extremely comprehensive and certain models may not be available in all territories.

Land Rover Special Vehicles

Land Rover Special Vehicles provide an in-house conversion service and offer a bespoke service to customers world-wide as well as a range of specialist vehicles such as mobile workshops, high-lift platforms, dropsides and tippers. A full range of specialist options is also available such as winches, light bars, sirens, roof racks and generators.

Tough Versatility

The tough reputation of the Defender made it the obvious choice as Lara Croft’s vehicle in the forthcoming Paramount Pictures’ ‘Tomb Raider’ movie. Specially modified vehicles are also popular as game viewing vehicles. Defenders are also used around the world as the vehicle of choice with aid agencies such and the Defender is also in service with armed forces world-wide – one of the most dramatic adaptations being the Royal Marines’ amphibious and artic warfare vehicles that are designed to wade in water up to 1.5 metres deep as well as being capable of being operated in extremely low temperatures.

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