The Land Rover Defender 90 has officially made its South African debut. Said Land Rover, the short-wheelbase Defender “is the most capable and connected Land Rover to date and can trace its roots back to the original Series I model of 1948”. The local Defender line-up consists of 16 models, priced from R1 095 600 for the entry-level Defender 90 D240 S and P300 S to R1 575 000 for the top-of-the-line Defender 90 P400 X. See full pricing listed below.

Land Rover Defender 90
The three-door Defender, Land Rover says, “can trace its roots back to the original model of 1948”.

The entry point to the South African Defender 90 line-up, the Defender S’s list of standard specification includes a Land Rover’s Pivi Pro 10-inch touchscreen infotainment setup, which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an interactive driver’s display, and keyless entry. The interior is upholstered in leather. Driver assistance systems include items such as a 360-degree parking aid, 3D surround cameras, lane-keep assist, emergency braking, Land Rover’s Terrain Response system and wade sensing. LED headlamps are also included.

“Bridging the gap between Defender and Defender X,” X-Dynamic models gains unique interior fitment to “set it apart from the rest of the line-up”. Inside, X-Dynamic models feature “highly durable” Robustec material. Outside, the X-Dynamic features gloss Narvik Black cladding for the doors and wheelarches, and Silicon Satin skid pans. The Defender X-Dynamic is available with the choice of SE and HSE specification packs.

Land Rover Defender 90
Although compact from the outside, the Defender 90’s cabin provides seating for up to six passengers.

The range-topping X derivative features gloss black bonnet inserts and door and wheelarch cladding. Further differentiating the Defender X from the entry-level and mid-tier models, the X’s front and rear skid pans are finished in Starlight Satin, while the brake callipers are finished in orange. The X’s list of standard specification further includes Matrix LED headlights, air suspension and an electronic active rear differential, and configurable Terrain Response 2 system. For the inside, the X gains a head-up display, 14-way electrically adjustable heated and cooled front seats, Land Rover’s ClearSight rear-view mirror, a sliding panoramic roof and illuminated “Defender” script on the door sill treadplates.

Land Rover Defender 90
With its short wheelbase and overhangs, Land Rover says the Defender 90 is the most capable Defender yet.

Defender First Edition models will be available for one year from launch and features standard items such as 12-way electrically adjustable heated front seats, an electrically adjustable steering column and Land Rover’s ClearSight rear-view mirror. A folding fabric sunroof, which is incorporated into the white contrast roof, is standard. In addition, the Defender First Edition comes equipped with air suspension and 20-inch alloys. The Defender First Edition can be had with the choice of three exterior paint options: Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone or Hakuba Silver.

Personalisation packages include the Explorer pack, Adventure pack, Country pack and Urban pack. The Explorer pack comes with a raised air intake; lightweight roof rack, which can carry “up to” 132 kg; a 24-litre exterior side-mounted gear carrier; wheelarch protection, and a matte black bonnet decal.

Land Rover Defender 90
Engine options consist of two turbodiesels and two turbopetrols.

The Adventure pack, Land Rover says, is “developed to make more of nature’s playground” and includes a portable rinse system “for hosing off boots, bikes and wetsuits”, an integrated air compressor “ideal for inflating tyres and air mattresses”, a 24-litre gear carrier (as found on the Explorer pack) and 20-litre seat backpack. The Adventure package further features a spare wheel cover and front and rear mudflaps.

Equipped with the Country pack, the Defender gains “Classic” mudflaps, a full-height partition for the luggage compartment, wheelarch protection and a portable rinse system. The Urban pack features bright metal pedals and rear scuff plate, a spare wheel cover and front undershield protection “to make the Defender stand out with style in the concrete jungle”.

Land Rover Defender 90
: Safe passage through water provided by a wading depth of “up to” 900 mm.

Locally, the Defender 90 is available with the choice of two turbodiesel and a duo of turbopetrol engines. Starting with the diesel options, the D240-badged 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel unit produces 177 kW and 430 N.m, while the more powerful D300 (a 3,0-litre turbodiesel inline-six) produces 221 kW and 650 N.m. Wearing the P300 moniker, the Defender 90 is equipped with a 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol producing a power output similar to that of the D300 and a torque output of 400 N.m. Boasting the most power of the four engine options, the 3,0-litre turbocharged inline-six P400 turbopetrol, which incorporates mild-hybrid tech, produces 294 kW and 550 N.m.

All Land Rover Defender 90s come with Land Rover’s five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and warranty of similar duration. 

Land Rover Defender 90 Pricing*:

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

*Including VAT, excluding CO2