Forbidden Fruit: 2013 Land Rover Defender

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Editor BIO

Vik is an Editor at High Gear Media and contributor for a number of sites within the High Gear Media network. He was a co-founder of Motor Authority... More

LATEST ARTICLE
BMW X1-Based Crossover To Be First Model From China's Zinoro
About a month ago it was revealed that BMW and its Chinese partner Brilliance was on the verge of... Read More

• #1LEADERBOARD RANK
• 9143ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 127COMMENTS POSTED

10,843 views Sep 3, 2012

Follow Viknesh

Add to circle

2013 Land Rover Defender

For the uninitiated, the Land Rover Defender is a tough-as-nails SUV made famous by its use as a military vehicle but also for its prowess at traversing some of the most extreme conditions on the planet. It’s little wonder then that you’ll find Defenders, and their Ninety and One Ten predecessors, all over the world.

Its closest competitor is the Mercedes-Benz G Class, which manages to sell in reasonable numbers despite its lack of updates over the years. For 2013, the Land Rover Defender offers a higher level of specification and customization, but like the G Class, still retains its classic image.

Some of the new options include two new body colors (Barolo Black and Havana), leather-lined premium seat designs, an Alpine sound system, and the choice of four new contrasting roof colors (Santorini Black, Indus Silver, Orkney Grey or Firenze Red).

Key improvements were made to the mechanical package only last year, so no changes have been made here. The previous updates included the introduction of a smaller 2.2-litre diesel engine stead of the previous 2.4-liter unit, new ventilated brake discs, a speed-limit function for fuel-conscious owners, and a refined six-speed gearbox and transfer case. The new 2.2-liter diesel mill offers 120 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, which is good for a 0-60 mph time of 14.7 seconds and a top speed of 90 mph.

The good news is that the Defender's unique vehicle architecture remains unchanged. The chassis frame is available in three different wheelbases and in both standard and heavy-duty guise (for even greater load-bearing capabilities). A total of 14 separate body styles--from pickups and soft-tops to crew cabs and wagons--are produced on Land Rover’s mainstream production line. Beyond this, Land Rover's Engineered To Order can custom fit the vehicle to meet any unique requests.