Land Rover has officially revealed the 2020 Defender with a dramatic live-action demonstration of its capability at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new 4x4 made its first appearance by descending an extreme 42-degree incline at the show - a feat broadcast live to a global audience of eager fans. The Defender is the most capable and durable Land Rover ever made and its debut in Frankfurt marked the end of its first adventure, to the Valley of the Castles in the Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan - one of the most land-locked places on earth.
The new 4x4 made its first appearance by descending an extreme 42-degree incline at the show - a feat broadcast live to a global audience of eager fans. The Defender is the most capable and durable Land Rover ever made and its debut in Frankfurt marked the end of its first adventure, to the Valley of the Castles in the Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan - one of the most land-locked places on earth.
Based on the new D7x architecture, the 2020 Defender completes the Land Rover dynasty, joining the peerless luxury and refinement of the Range Rover family and the highly capable and versatile Discovery SUVs It will be available in 90 and 110 body designs, with up to six seats in the 90 and the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the 110.
The range comprises Defender, S, SE, HSE, First Edition and top-of-the-range Defender X. Customers will be able to personalise their vehicle in more ways than any previous Land Rover, with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs each give the Defender a distinct character to help owners to make the most of their world. Exclusive First Edition models featuring unique specification will be available throughout the first year of production.
A choice of advanced petrol and cleaner diesel engines ensure the new Defender has the power, control and efficiency for any environment, while a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will join the range next year providing the prospect of silent EV-only progress.
The 2020 Defender features permanent four-wheel drive, a twin-speed automatic gearbox, a maximum towing capability of 3,720 kg and a maximum static roof load of 300 kg, making it the perfect companion for overland adventures.
The new Defender is also the first Land Rover to feature Configurable Terrain Response, which allows drivers to fine-tune a range of settings to suit the conditions more precisely than ever before. A new Wade programme optimises the vehicle for fording - giving customers even more confidence when tackling flooded roads and tracks. The Defender has a world-class maximum wading depth of up to 900 mm.
Inside, the highly functional cabin design is marked out by exposed structural elements and 21st century technologies, including the state-of-the-art new Pivi Pro infotainment system. The next-generation touchscreen is more intuitive and user-friendly, requiring fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while its always-on design guarantees almost instant responses. In addition Software-Over-The-Air technology, with 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates, ensures Defender customers always benefit from the latest software, wherever they are in the world.
Prices start from $49,900 in the U.S. for the Defender 110 P300 and £45,240 in the UK for the Defender 110 D200. The Defender 90 is expected to start at around £40,000.
