When the Hummer H3 was launched, it immediately turned heads and drew gasps thanks to its mean and menacing appearance. Well, this new brute force being the Land Rover Defender has completely usurped the Americans. Its air of menace is accentuated by the black livery, squared-off grilles and compact lighting components and rounded out with window tinting and gloss-black alloy wheels.
With minimal overhangs, the short-wheelbase 90 is the model favoured by the off-road set. But where the mud-pluggers show an affinity for a sturdy turbodiesel, the Land Rover Defender marries the short wheelbase and two-door bodywork with the meanest engine Land Rover could find, the supercharged 5,0-litre V8. So as not to stray too far from the original purpose of the Defender’s terrain-taming proviso, a low-range transfer case was retained, but the massive 22-inch wheels shod with Continental rubber hint at a vehicle just as suited to showboating as it is to venturing off-road. Even the spare wheel – sensibly mounted to the rear door as there is nowhere else large enough to house it – is uncovered to show off its sheer size.
The interior is luxurious, though access to the rear is tricky owing to the height of the vehicle. The air suspension can be used to lower the height but this takes too long, as does slowly moving the electrically adjusted seats forward. Once your passengers are aboard, they’re treated to a surprisingly generous amount of legroom. This contrasts with an unfortunate lack of visibility, most of the windows are covered by panels, to bolt on accessories such as jerry cans and ladders for a rooftop tent. To make up for the claustrophobic atmosphere, a four-zone climate control system is integrated into the cabin.
The tread plates on the bonnet also look rather serious in a military-vehicle way, however, as they are made of black plastic, they are purely decorative. Still, they look the part as do just about all aspects of this brute. The growl is unmistakably V8 and the supercharger whine is quite subdued in comparison. It’s coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, enabling more spirited drivers to revel in the snarl and thumping power of the V8 when manually downshifting.
It is easy to use a heavy right foot and push the fuel consumption way up. But if you are in a cruising mood, it is possible to achieve some quite respectable economy, too. We managed a best fi figure of 13,5 litres over 100 km, although the trip computer read just under 13 litres. Around the many mountain passes, the V8 coped very well, keeping up with the lighter, more agile cars and on the drag strip, it held its own despite being the heaviest vehicle there.