Land Rover isn't resting on its laurels following the new Defender’s unveiling, with the three-door 90 and five-door 110 models set to be joined by a larger, eight-seat 130 variant in the coming years.
The Land Rover Defender 130 has now been revealed - read all the details by clicking on the link
First reported by Autocar earlier this year after a brand presentation was leaked, the 130 is destined to be revealed in the second half of next year before its launch in 2021.
Despite the model’s badge, it will share its wheelbase length of just over three metres with the 110, meaning no costly platform extension is required. Instead, Land Rover is set to boost the car’s rear overhang to allow it to offer up to eight seats. It will be around 5.1 metres in length, making it 342mm longer than the 110 version and around 50mm shorter than the BMW X7.
Land Rover has still to officially confirm the 130’s existence, but it is described internally as the ‘premium explorer’ of the range and is aimed at large, active families who like to travel.
The 130 will increase the upper Defender’s price point, fitting in with Land Rover’s desire to establish the 4x4 in the high-end, high-margin off-roader segment alongside models such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It could also help the car’s popularity in China and the US, where large SUVs are far more popular than in Europe.
Ultra-high-spec models are being worked on by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department, likely with inspiration from the division’s various high-end Range Rover spin-offs. This would allow Land Rover to capitalise on the global popularity of high-power, high-price 4x4s, bolstered by the latest Mercedes-AMG G63.
While other Defender variants will appear, it is now understood that the rumoured pick-up model has been axed from the product plan.
It is thought that company bosses have been unable to make the development costs of the pick-up viable, and they consider that the standard 110 and upcoming 130 offer enough loadspace versatility with no need to remove the roof and expose the bay to the elements.
Join the debate
Add your comment
my mom actually has a defender 110, and it's really tight to sit in the third row seat, since i have a 6 person family and often have guests. hopefully this defender will have a larger third row than the discovery's, which will give it an edge in the competition. they should keep the same trim levels. since a lot of people from what i've seen use it as a family car and less of an off-road car, land rover should add some luxury trim levels with amenities found in the discovery or even the range rover. (examples include power-recline second row seats, massaging front seats, quad-zone climate, third row armrests, etc.) it'll be a huge hit for families, but it might have less cool factor because of it's size.
my mom actually has a defender 110, and it's really tight to sit in the third row seat, since i have a 6 person family and often have guests. hopefully this defender will have a larger third row than the discovery's, which will give it an edge in the competition. they should keep the same trim levels. since a lot of people from what i've seen use it as a family car and less of an off-road car, land rover should add some luxury trim levels with amenities found in the discovery or even the range rover. (examples include power-recline second row seats, massaging front seats, quad-zone climate, third row armrests, etc.) it'll be a huge hit for families, but it might have less cool factor because of it's size.
my mom actually has a defender 110, and it's really tight to sit in the third row seat, since i have a 6 person family and often have guests. hopefully this defender will have a larger third row than the discovery's, which will give it an edge in the competition. they should keep the same trim levels. since a lot of people from what i've seen use it as a family car and less of an off-road car, land rover should add some luxury trim levels with amenities found in the discovery or even the range rover. (examples include power-recline second row seats, massaging front seats, quad-zone climate, third row armrests, etc.) it'll be a huge hit for families, but it might have less cool factor because of it's size.