New Land Rover Defender 90 joins Mzansi line up

It was in mid 2020 when Land Rover introduced the Defender 110 and fast forward to close to a year later, the British marque is introducing the short-wheelbase Defender 90.

The new Land Rover Defender 90 launches in Mzansi in four trim levels; Defender S, X-Dynamic, First Edition and top-of-the-range Defender X models, each sold with a choice of four engine options.

The Defender S is fitted standard with LED headlights with auto high beam assist, keyless entry, Ebony grained leather with woven textile seat facings, Pivi Pro 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also fitted standard with an interactive driver display, Terrain Response, 3D surround cameras, emergency braking, lane keep assist, 360-degree parking aid, wade sensing and a driver condition monitor.

The X-Dynamic model adds a gloss painted Narvik Black exterior door and wheel arch cladding with Silicon Satin skid pans. Highly durable Robustec material is found on the seat ribbons and Console Finisher. The Defender X-Dynamic is available with a choice of SE and HSE Specification Packs.

The range-topping X derivative comes fitted with a gloss black inset contrast hood as standard along with Gloss Black claddings. The front and rear skid pans and other detailed exterior parts are coated in a Starlight Satin finish while brake callipers are painted orange, the dashboard cross beam is a dark grey powder coat brushed finish and door sill treadplates are illuminated with Defender script.

The X also sees air suspension is fitted as a standard along with an electronic active rear differential, configurable Terrain Response 2, a sliding panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlights, 14-way heated and cooled front seats, ClearSight interior rearview mirror and a head-up display among others.

The Defender First Edition, available for one year from launch, is available in Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone or Hakuba Silver, with a folding fabric sunroof incorporated in the contrast white roof. Standard fare includes air suspension, 12-way heated seats, an electrically adjustable steering column ClearSight rearview mirror and 20-inch alloys.

Customers can personalise their Defender 90 with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements.

The Explorer Pack includes a raised air intake, a lightweight Expedition roof rack to carry up to 132kg, a 24-litre exterior side-mounted gear carrier, matte black bonnet decal, and wheel arch protection.

The Adventure Pack consists of a portable rinse system for hosing off boots, bikes and wetsuits, a 20 litre Seat Backpack, bright rear scuff plate, front and rear mudflaps, a spare wheel cover, an integrated air compressor ideal for inflating tyres or air mattresses, and the same side-mounted Gear Carrier.

A Country Pack equips the Defender with front and rear Classic mudflaps, a full-height loadspace partition to prevent items in the rear loadspace from entering the cabin, wheel arch protection, a bright rear scuff plate and the portable rinse system.

The Urban Pack comprises bright metal pedals, a bright rear scuff plate, a spare wheel cover, and front under shield protection. 

The new Defender 90 lineup includes four engine options comprising two diesel and two petrol engines. A 2.0-litre D240 turbodiesel produces 177 kW and 430 Nm, enabling 0-100km/h in 9 seconds with a top speed of 188km/h.

The 2.0-litre P300 turbo petrol with 221 kW and 400 Nm achieves 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 191km/h.

The 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder options include a P400 petrol featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology with outputs of 294 kW and 550 Nm, and a D300 diesel with 221 kW and a torque figure of 650 Nm.

These two models accelerate from 0-100 in 6 and 6.7 seconds respectively, with top speeds of 191km/h for both.

• Defender 90 D240 S R1,095,600
• Defender 90 D300 S R1,186,800
• Defender 90 P300 S R1,095,600
• Defender 90 P400 S R1,214,200
• Defender 90 D240 X-Dynamic SE R1,215,500
• Defender 90 D300 X-Dynamic SE R1,297,000
• Defender 90 P300 X-Dynamic SE R1,215,500
• Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE R1,338,600
• Defender 90 D240 X-Dynamic HSE R1,284,400
• Defender 90 D300 X-Dynamic HSE R1,365,900
• Defender 90 P300 X-Dynamic HSE R1,284,400
• Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic HSE R1,407,500
• Defender 90 D240 First Edition R1,223,800
• Defender 90 P400 First Edition R1,341,700
• Defender 90 D300 X R1,542,100
• Defender 90 P400 X R1,575,000

Including VAT, excluding CO2