Car Reviews > Land Rover > Defender > Land Rover Defender 2.2D XS Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Prices: £29,495
Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, 4-wheel drive
Power/torque: 120 bhp/ 360 Nm 0-60 mph: 14.7 seconds
Top Speed: 90 miles per hour
Economy: 28.3 miles per gallon
Emissions: 266g per kilometre
Equipment: 16-inch alloys, dual-range gearbox with locking centre differential, air conditioning, traction control, ABS, tinted windows
On Sale: Now

The Land Rover Defender receives a completely new lease of life with the help of a brand new diesel engine.

The Land Rover Defender has been one of the constants of life in the country ever since the Series 1 was originally introduced more than 60 years ago back in 1948. In recent years however, its place on the company’s price lists has been in jeopardy because of the ever-tightening legislation in relation to CO2 emissions levels.

Land Rover has already made its plans known for its next go-anywhere machine in the form of the DC 100 concept, which was introduced at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. However, that does not mean that the current car is finished with.

The Defender seemed to be finally threatened with extinction by the arrival of new Euro V emissions legislation, but Land Rover has managed to give it new life with the introduction of a new Euro V compliant 2.20-litre diesel engine.

Even though it actually has a slightly lesser capacity than the 2.4-cylinder 4-cylinder engine it is replacing, the new unit still manages to have the exact same economy, power, and torque figures. Emissions have also been cut by the inclusion of a diesel particulate filter (which has been cleverly positioned in the engine bay, to avoid any possible off-road damage). That being said, even the new CO2 emissions figure is hardly likely to win any environmental awards, still coming in at 266g per kilometre.

In addition to the new engine, Land Rover has also made improvements to the sound insulation around the engine bay, attempting to try to make the Defender more refined when on the road. Further luxuries include the likes of an optional Comfort Pack, which incorporates a CD player with MP3 player jack, central locking, air conditioning, and electric windows, for the cost of another £1650. All of this certainly makes the Defender much more pleasant to be in, but still cannot change the unfortunate reality than it is just not all that great on tarmac.

There are 14 body styles available, including a double-cab pickup truck, a long wheelbase 110 Station Wagon, and the short wheelbase Defender 90 Station Wagon, tested here. You are pinned to the floor by the driving position, with elbowroom conspicuous by its absence and the steering wheel also needing some effort in order to turn the car.

Together with a 6-speed gearbox that has to be forcibly guided in order to locate the next gear and the unrelentingly stiff suspension, the idea of driving a Defender as your only method of transport sounds spectacularly unappealing.

However, all is forgiven once you head off the beaten track with the new Land Rover. Lock the centre differential and change to low ratio, and the Defender can pretty much handle anything.

First gear is extremely short and places the 4x4 into crawler mode. Just engage first, take your feet from the pedals – keeping the brake covered, in case of emergency – and the vehicle moves slower than walking speed. All you have to do is keep the car pointing in the right direction and marvel as it clambers over terrain even your feet would have trouble with.

by Autoweb