Why is this new Defender attracting so much attention?
Land Rover’s re-imagined 21st century Defender has notched up more than 50 awards all over the world since its launch last year. Most of the awards have come from automotive magazines from around the globe as editors and writers get a chance to put this 4×4 luxury vehicle to the test in various climates and terrains.
It seems that this Defender has not pushed any test driver to go the opposite direction with their accolades.
The Land Rover Defender was also named 2021 World Car Design of the Year at the recent annual World Car Awards. It is the third time Land Rover has claimed the coveted prize following previous wins for Range Rover Velar (2018) and Range Rover Evoque (2012) and is the latest in a number of global awards for the rugged 4×4.
This year, all the contenders competing in the other four award categories were eligible for the World Car Design of the Year prize. A panel of seven automotive design experts reviewed the contenders to establish a shortlist of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote, made by the 93 international journalists that comprise the jury panel.
The design experts included Gernot Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim Design School), Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand-Design), Patrick le Quément (France – Designer and President of the Strategy Committee – The Sustainable Design School), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University, Former Head of Design – Mazda), Victor Nacif (USA – Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, New School of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).
Winning the 2021 SUV model of the year was an achievement. But it’s not the only award it received from MotorTrend magazine for this year. It also won the Best Midsize Luxury SUV of the year award. The Defender has made a comeback of sorts, according to MotorTrend. Before the redesign, it was known for its boxy look and rugged 4×4 feel. Other well established automotive magazines like Top Gear UK, Autocar UK and the Women’s World Car of the Year 2021 (WWCOTY) where there were fifty (50) female motoring journalists from thirty-eight (38) countries have chosen the Land Rover Defender as the Supreme Winner Women’s World Car of the Year 2021.
The award-winning New Land Rover Defender 110 has earned another five-star review – this time from the safety experts at Euro NCAP. Land Rover’s most capable and durable model ever has been awarded the maximum five-star rating in the latest round of test results.
The Defender combines state-of-the-art assisting technologies with an ultra-stiff aluminium-intensive body construction engineered to cope with rugged landscapes. Clever technologies available on Defender include Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Rear Collision Monitor.
Six airbags are designed to protect the driver and passengers, while up to three ISOFIX mounting points are available. New Defender scored 85 per cent for Adult and Child Occupant protection, 79 per cent for Safety Assist and achieved a 71 percent score for Vulnerable Road Users on its way to a five-star overall rating.
This all new Defender has already been spotted on Malaysian roads on test and there should be a launch very soon as it was launched in neighboring Singapore in August this year.
There is no Malaysian selling price indication as yet. Be patient.
