I’m fleetingly suspended in the air at an angle with only two wheels on the ground, one on the lip of a narrow ledge. The other two wheels are dangling in the air. All I can see out the windscreen is sky. One false move and I’m done for.
In any other vehicle, I would be sweating profusely but I am in no ordinary vehicle. I am in an off-road supremo, the new Land Rover Defender. And the outcome is a happy one.
In 2020, South Africa celebrated the arrival of the new Defender, a famed 4x4 that with the exception of a few years halts in production, Land Rover has been manufacturing since 1948. Its breadth of capability, especially in brutal conditions, has always been legendary. But a luxury, comfy, everyday driving car it was not. That’s not the case anymore.
The posher new Defender comes in two configurations; the long-wheelbase five-door 110 and the three-door shorter wheelbase 90 derivatives. Both are offered in petrol and diesel variants with Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology option for the 6-cylinder petrol engine. finweek explored new off-road heights in the Land Rover Defender 110 D240.
Softened boxiness
If you drew a box with a smaller box atop that, added four wheels and round lights, it would pretty much typify the design of an old Defender. The boxy shape remains but its extremities have been softened with modern curves. The silhouette is recognizable, but it is gentler on the eye, more trendy looking and its purposeful stance has been upped.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES
As the Covid-19 pandemic abates, finweek takes a look at the financial performance of some of the largest players.
The effect of Gilbertson's departure
With Ntsimbintle Holdings now the major shareholder of Jupiter Mines, it could change SA’s manganese industry.
Making money from music
Why investors are increasingly drawn to the music industry.
Conviction is key
Sandy Rheeder plays a critical role in Mukuru’s mission to open up financial services to the emerging consumer market in Africa through tailor-made technology solutions and platforms.
The post-pandemic toolkit
How CFOs can use technology to support growth.
Big city living exodus
Mini cities like Waterfall City and Steyn City are redefining city-style apartment living.
Big compact, big value
Handsome, with a hefty level of standard specification, the roomy Haval Jolion compact crossover is a great value proposition.
On barriers to entry
There are various ways in which a company or sector can achieve competitive dominance. They usually make for good investments.
Fear and greed in one index
To buck the trend, when markets are hot or cold, is a tough thing to do. However, it can deliver solid returns.
Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon
Vantage Data Centers plans to invest over R15bn for its first African data centre facility in Attacq’s Waterfall City.
