Land Rover Defender

New Dog, Old Tricks

- Tim Robson

Model Land Rover Defender P400 SE

Engine 2996cc 6cyl, dohc, 24v, turbo Max power 294kW @ 5500rpm

Max torque 550Nm @ 2000-5000rpm

Transmission 8-speed automatic

Weight 2418kg (seven-seat)

0-100km/h 6.1sec (claimed)

Economy 9.9L/100km

Price $102,736

IF THERE’S a gene that predisposes a person to like the original Land Rover Defender, I’m afraid I don’t have it. I appreciate that people are sentimental about these things, but really, the previous Defender was – and still is – the worst car I’d ever reviewed on a public road.

The third-generation Defender – code-named L663 – thankfully comes from different stock, and is tasked with the hardest job of all; placating the cynical faithful while attracting an entirely new audience.

We’ve already sampled the Defender’s bush-bashing chops (Wheels, April) so let’s concentrate on the terrain where most Aussie Defenders will spend their lives: on the tarmac.

Long-wheelbase 110 and short wheelbase 90 variants will make up the Australian mix, with two diesels and one petrol engine across four grades.