

Andrew Maclean
3 Days Ago
Land Rover has already given the new Defender an update in Australia, with new engines and a new range of options.
The born-again Land Rover Defender has only just hit Australian showrooms, but already there’s a range of new engines and new options being added to the spec list.
Buyers can choose from a range of trim levels and powertrain options, starting with unnamed base D200 and D250 models climbing through S, SE and HSE grades and topping out with First Edition and X models at launch.
A trio of inline six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines has replaced the four-cylinder diesels offered at launch, and the base engine has become the four-cylinder P300 petrol.
Like its iconic predecessor, the new Land Rover Defender promises to go ‘above and beyond’ the capabilities expected of an SUV, while also being safer, more comfortable and efficient than the model it replaces.
All prices exclude on-road costs
Gone are the four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines offered at launch, replaced by Jaguar Land Rover’s new inline six-cylinder diesel in two states of tune:
The base D200 model offered in the Defender 90 won’t be available in the 110 – the range will kick off with the more powerful D250.
Also new for 2021 is the entry-level P300 petrol engine. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine has 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
The range-topping petrol option in Australia is the P400, which features a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six with 48V mild-hybrid technology, making 294kW and 550Nm.
All models come fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic with high- and low-range transfer box.
The Defender 110 D250 and D300 use a claimed 9.5L/100km on the tougher WLTP test cycle.
The P300 petrol uses a claimed 12.7L/100km, and the P400 returns 12.1L/100km on the WLTP test.
ANCAP and Euro NCAP are yet to give the new Land Rover Defender a safety rating.
Regardless, all versions of the Defender come as standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), a surround camera system, cruise control with speed limiter, driver condition monitor, lane-keeping assist, parking sensors all round, and traffic sign recognition.
Standard for 2021 across the range is blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear collision monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, and a clear exit monitor.
The Defender also comes equipped with front airbags (with passenger seat occupant sensor), tyre pressure monitoring, seatbelt reminders, and ISOFIX mounts for the two outboard rear seats.
Land Rover quotes a length of 5018mm, width of 2008mm (mirrors folded), and height of 1967mm.
There’s also a 3022mm wheelbase, standard ground clearance of 218mm – off-road height increases to 293mm – and a boot volume of 916L-1075L (seven seat model/five seat model).
Off-road figures include approach/departure angles of 30.1/37.7 degrees in standard guise, with a standard ramp angle of 22 degrees.
In off-road mode, those figures change to 38/40/28 degrees respectively.
As for wading depth, the Defender is rated for 900mm.
The Defender 110 features:
Defender 110 S adds:
Defender 110 SE adds:
Defender 110 HSE adds:
Defender 110 X gets:
A slew of option packages will be available depending on variant, too.
SE versions only add the adaptive cruise and rear collision monitor systems as the other features are already standard, hence the cheaper $948 option price.
Next is the Premium Upgrade Interior Pack ($3713-$7547) available on Defender, S and SE models. Additional specification includes:
Pricing and specification depends on variant and standard equipment.
All core models (110 to HSE) are offered with the Off-Road Pack ($1448), adding:
The Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack is also available from base to HSE models ($2210), bringing:
The Cold Climate Pack ($1481) is available for all models bar the First Edition, which adds:
A Towing Pack ($1492-$3702) is available for all variants except the First Edition, bringing:
A new X-Dynamic Pack ($7500) has been added to the options list for 2021. It’s designed to bring design and interior cues from the roughest, toughest Defender X into the regular line-up. The package includes:
Finally, the Comfort and Convenience Pack ($818-$3046) is available on all models bar the First Edition, bringing some or all of the following content depending on model:
Land Rover Australia is also offering the Defender with a range of accessory packages to further enhance and personalise your vehicle.
Four main packs will be available – Explorer Pack, Adventure Pack, Country Pack and Urban Pack – each bringing aesthetic and functional enhancements.
The Explorer Pack is headlined by:
The Adventure Pack gets:
The Country Pack adds:
Finally, the Urban Pack gets:
Maintenance for the Land Rover Defender is priced at $1950 for five years in diesel models, or $2650 in the P400 on test here.
The Land Rover line-up is covered by a standard three-year, 100,000km new vehicle warranty in Australia.
However, the Defender is launching with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and Land Rover has indicated it doesn’t plan to move back to its three-year warranty.
Take advantage of Australia's BIGGEST new car website to find a great deal on a Land Rover Defender.
Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.
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