Land Rover Defender gains plug-in hybrid power, six-cylinder diesel and a new X-Dynamic model

Defender P400e Plug-In Hybrid

For those of you with a daily commute or around 25 miles with the ability to charge at home or at your workplace then you may want to consider the new Plug-in Hybrid version of the Defender – otherwise known as the P400e, available with the 110 body design.

 

Combining a 296 bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 141 bhp electric motor, the P400e delivers a combined output of 398 bhp and 479 lb-ft of torque alongside low CO₂ emissions of just 74 g/km and combined economy of 85.3 mpg. Alongside impressive fuel economy and emissions figures, the Defender P400e has a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds and will reach a top speed of 130 mph.

 

It has a range of 27 miles, and if that’s all you need on a daily basis then it dramatically reduces both your environmental impact and running costs. It could also come in handy for those greenlaning trips where the immediate torque from the electric motor makes the PHEV Defender even more capable.

 

Standard on all Defender P400e models are 20 inch alloy wheels, electronic air suspension and a charging port on the left-hand side of the vehicle. All PHEV variants come with a Mode 3 charging cable as standard which enables charging to 80 per cent in two hours, while an optional Mode 2 cable is also available and takes around seven hours to charge – perfect for home charging overnight. Using a 50 kW rapid charger, the P400e charges to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

 

The Defender P400e is available with the option of five or six seats, standard three-zone climate control, privacy glass and solar attenuating glass. Specific to the PHEV variant is regenerative braking, which recuperates energy lost under deceleration and braking and sends it back into the battery pack.

 

The P400e hasn’t lost any of the Defender towing capabilities either – with the ability to tow up to 3000 kg, and carry a roof load of 168 kg (dynamic) or 300 kg (static).

 

 

 

 

New Ingenium in-line six-cylinder diesel engine and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive

Alongside the new P400e, Land Rover’s powerful and efficient in-line six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine joins the range, offering enhanced torque delivery, smooth responses and improved fuel economy thanks to its Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology and a new Intelligent All Wheel Drive system.

 

Sitting at the top of the range, the D300 delivers 296 bhp and 479 lb-ft of torque, providing a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds for the Defender 90. The MHEV technology contributes to enhanced fuel economy through an efficient Stop/Start system which cuts the engine at a standstill, as well as recuperating energy normally lost under braking or decelerating. This energy is then sent back into the battery pack and can be redeployed later.

 

The new intelligent driveline system continually varies axle torque based on sensor data from the vehicle’s surroundings and driver inputs to distribute all torque to one axle or the other as required, optimising the driveline for traction, on-road dynamics and driveline efficiency, and as a by-product improves fuel economy and reduces CO₂ emissions.

 

The D200 and D240 become D200 and D250 models for 2021, using the same in-line six-cylinder Ingenium engine as the D300 with 197 bhp and 246 bhp respectively. An uplift in torque delivers enhanced usability, with 369 lb-ft (D200) and 420 lb-ft (D250) available.

 

The new Ingenium D200 and D250 return 32.2 mpg and CO₂ emissions as low as 230 g/km and 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds and 7.9 seconds respectively on Defender 110. 

 

 

Defender X-Dynamic

And last but by no means least a new X-Dynamic specification is available on both Defender 90 and 110, offering a selection of exterior and interior design touches, to deliver a tougher look and feel, including silicon satin front and rear skid pans, with matching grille bar and badging plus rear recovery loops in Satin Black.

 

All alloy wheels come in Satin Dark Grey/Gloss Black finish; alongside Narvik Black mirror caps, window decals and lower sill and wheel arch cladding.

 

Inside, unique elements include illuminated metal tread plates and Robustek seat material, X-Dynamic badging, Ebony Morzine headlining and Eiger Grey satin door handles. In case you were wondering, Robustek is a highly robust (clue is in the title) and protective material inspired by textiles used in extreme outdoor situations, so it’s hard-wearing and resistant to abrasions.

 

The Robustek material is standard on all X-Dynamic models in a range of colourways dependent on the specification pack. Defender X-Dynamic S and SE models feature duotone grained leather with Robustek accent, while the X-Dynamic HSE features duotone Windsor leather with Robustek accent. All come in a choice of Ebony, Khaki and Ebony duotone or Acorn and Lunar duotone seat colours.

 

 

Greater personalisation

A range of personalisation options including new trims and colours (Yulong White, Silicon Silver, Hakuba Silver and Carpathian Grey), with white or black contrast roofs are also available making the Defender more customisable than ever.

 

Individual options include a folding fabric roof for Defender 110 and a choice of a suspension pack on Defender 90 as well as premium LED headlights, Meridian sound system, head-up display. The Defender 90 is also available with up to six seats when fitted with the jump seat in the front row. Expanding the number of bundled option packs, Defender can now be specified with a Blind Spot Assist Pack, and a choice of a Family Pack or Family Pack Plus. The Family Pack adds third-row seating with three-zone climate with rear cooler and cabin air ionisation, while the Family Pack Plus brings heated third row seats.

 

Land Rover has definitely spotted the importance of accessories for the Defender market but will they undercut the individual retailers? We suspect not.

 

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