One of the most iconic and desired Land Rover models returns to Australia, the Defender 90. Since its last appearance in the Australian market the Defender 90 has received a host of major upgrades which have resulted in greater on-road and off-road ability, plus increased comfort, performance and refinement.

The 2.4-litre common rail diesel engine offers increased torque and improved drivability, over the previous Defender 90 engine, while the manual six-speed gearbox provides a lower first gear ratio, for better off-road control, and a high sixth gear for improved cruising refinement. The inside of the vehicle features a new fascia and a high-output heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. New seating also improves comfort for all occupants, and for the first time in the Defender 90 includes full size forward facing second row seats.

The latest in a long line of evolutionary updates to a vehicle whose roots date back to 1948 (since when nearly 1.9 million units have been sold), the changes maintain Defender 90’s relevance while enhancing its functionality, versatility and durability.

Land Rover Australia's Marketing and Public Affairs Manager Kevin Goult commented, “Land Rover is immensely proud of Defender's reputation for off-road supremacy and dependability, it will get you there and back, regardless of climate or terrain. With the reintroduction of the 90 in Australia, Land Rover now offers nine different Defender derivatives, across three wheel bases. Whatever requirements, be they lifestyle or commercial, Defender has the specialised variant to better suit the off road and load carrying requirements of our customers."

"We believe the enhancements to the iconic Defender 90 will win the hearts and minds of new and existing customers alike," concluded Mr. Goult.

The Defender 90 has as recommended price before statutory and delivery charges of $44,990, and will arrive in Australia in the 1st quarter 2010.
The new Land Rover Defender 90 will have the following standard and optional features:

Since the current model’s introduction in 2002, Defender has consistently sold an average of 25,000 units a year worldwide. Retail and utility customers, armed forces and NGOs in over 100 countries value Defender’s class-leading blend of towing and load-carrying versatility, alongside the vehicle’s extraordinary strength, robustness and capability. The unique combination of these attributes helps account for the model’s exceptionally high standards of customer loyalty.

DEFENDER 90 - IN DETAIL

More Pulling Power

Defender 90's 2.4 litre, four-cylinder engine, common with the 110, represents a major step forward in terms of refinement and driveability. Torque output is higher than the outgoing engine right across the usable rev range, and the 360 Nm peak is delivered at only 2000 rpm; over 315 Nm of torque is available from 1500 rpm to 2700 rpm.

Engine peak power output is 90 kW, with more than 90 per cent of peak power available from less than 2200 rpm to over 4350 rpm – over 60 per cent of the usable rev range. Naturally the engine is designed to be fully compliant with EU4 emissions legislation, but with Defender’s status as a truly global product, a unique engine tune has also been developed to tolerate variable quality, high-sulphur fuels.

Based on a cast-iron block, the engine features an alloy, 16-valve cylinder head with Denso common rail fuel injection. Not only is combustion noise dramatically reduced, thanks to the excellent control provided by the engine’s solenoid-driven fuel injectors, but a new Garrett variable geometry turbocharger also helps ensure throttle response is improved over the outgoing engine. The engine’s lubrication and sealing systems have been specially developed to cope with Defender 90’s onerous range of operating angles.

The GFT MT 82 six-speed manual gearbox provides a much wider ratio spread than before; the lower first gear offers a reduction in crawl speed and combines with the engine’s increased torque output to make towing on-road and off-road even easier. The increased engine torque also helps in-gear acceleration, and has allowed the new sixth gear to be set 20 per cent higher than the outgoing model’s top gear. This helps to improve real-world cruising refinement and fuel economy. Ground gears in both the gearbox and new transfer box help boost refinement, while reductions in clutch and gear-change loads make day-to-day living with Defender 90 significantly easier.

Individual pedal maps specifically matched to the demands of each gear are designed to ensure throttle progression and control is better than ever before; in addition, improved anti-stall characteristics further extend the vehicle’s renowned ability to tackle the toughest terrain.

Iconic Design

Changes to the vehicle exterior have been kept to a minimum, with a revised bonnet profile the only clue to the Defender 90’s increased capability.

As Dave Saddington, Defender chief designer points out, “Defender 90’s timeless exterior has become synonymous with functional design. Every line and surface seems to be linked to the vehicle’s extraordinary capability, so we deliberately changed very little.

“But the interior’s a different story. We wanted to change the heating system and instruments, as well as improve ergonomics, all of which gave us the opportunity to introduce an all-new fascia. In doing so, we’ve worked hard to reflect Defender 90’s unique purpose and versatility inside the vehicle too. The new fascia is better integrated, more robust and functionally superior to the old unit, whilst still entirely in keeping with Defender 90’s character.”

Improved Comfort and Ergonomics

Defender 90’s fascia is based on a single, large moulding supported on a robust steel rail to help eliminate squeaks and rattles. The revised instruments provide clear, concise information to the driver, and details like all-LED instrument illumination help ensure high standards of reliability. Improvements to ergonomics abound - for example, a new passenger-side grab handle provides robust, two-handed support during extreme off-road driving. The process of modernising Defender 90’s fascia hasn’t sacrificed its usability either, with versatile stowage shelves conveniently located for both the driver and passenger.

In-car entertainment systems have been upgraded to take advantage of Defender 90’s improved refinement. For the first time, high-mounted tweeters are available in Defender 90 and work in conjunction with the new speaker installation for significantly improved clarity and sound reproduction.

The fascia houses an all-new heating and ventilation system. Cabin airflow is up almost 50 per cent, with new aluminium plate and fin heat exchangers helping deliver impressive performance. In cold weather, the heater warms the cabin 40 per cent quicker than before and can achieve cabin temperatures a full 12°C higher. The air-conditioning system can cool the cabin in half the time of the old unit, and achieve cabin temperatures 7°C lower too. The addition of side window demist vents helps maintain visibility whatever the weather.
Seating is also comprehensively improved. Taller front seats are designed to improve back support and head restraint ergonomics. Second row occupants benefit from a pair of individual, full-size, forward-facing rear seats, providing significantly increased comfort and space over the outgoing model. Seat trims are made from durable vinyl and cloth, with three-point safety belts standard for all seating positions.

Upgraded sound insulation, the common rail diesel engine’s excellent combustion control and the significantly higher top gear all contribute to a substantial overall improvement in cabin refinement. In the words of Gary Taylor, Defender’s chief programme engineer, “For many customers, the step change in Defender 90’s refinement will be one of the most welcome advances; not only are noise levels significantly lower, but sound quality is transformed too.”

DEFENDER 90 - TECHNICAL DATA

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