The Land Rover Defender remains one of the most recognized vehicles in production. Bearing a strong similarity to the first Land Rover from 1948, the current model has received a number of improvements designed to make it even more usable without sacrificing its legendary abilities.
Land Rover engineers have always maintained that the Defender’s outstanding suspension travel and lockable centre differential provide the best compromise off-road, guaranteeing agility (axle-lockers tend to bloat turning circles alarmingly, limiting manoeuvrability) and a degree of traction substantial enough to suit most
With the current Defender model, Land Rover’s engineers commissioned Bosch to develop a hardcore off-road traction control system, intervening on all four wheels. It works by applying brake intervention to a slipping wheel, which then guides torque through the open axle differential to the opposing wheel with greater grip. The Defender’s 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine produces an impressive 360Nm of torque. With 90 percent of peak power constantly on tap from as low as 2,200rpm to over 4,350rpm, it provides maximum muscle for tough working environments.
To cope with the sort of difficult progress that many operations demand, when the engine is working hard at low speed, around 1,000rpm, Land Rover’s innovative Anti-Stall device intelligently adjusts the fuel required to help keep everything running smoothly
An important point to note is that the Defender’s Bosch traction control works via an anti-lock braking system, and so the Defender has a failsafe ABS. This ABS is a life-saver on the highway when called on to execute an emergency avoidance manoeuvre.
Off-road some of the Defender’s ergonomic foibles (so intolerable in day-to-day driving) start to make some sense. The offset driving position allows one to expertly place the right front wheel on (and over) obstacles and the utilitarian interior packaging does allow one the placement of a very tough ladder frame chassis underneath, resulting in the Defender never feeling the strain over severe terrain, even when fully loaded.
The Defender has a 49-degree approach angle which is clearly superior to other systems on other 4×4 vehicles and it must be said, with the new traction control system, the advantage in severely broken terrain now sits with the British off-road icon. Towing capacity is 3.5 tons which is of importance when travelling in convoy and called on to act as a snatch recovery/towing vehicle. Test drive the Defender at all Land Rover Malaysia showrooms today to experience it abilities yourself.
