Introduction
Whilst the ubiquitous Land Rover Defender probably needs no introduction, having been originally launched in 1948, it did go through a series of changes, some of they major, throughout its life, albeit with the basic shape and design remaining largely the same until production ended in January 2016.
The “XS” 4×4 was first introduced in 2002 with a TD5 engine as a top-specification level and the “County” package could be applied to every model in the line-up. XS models come with many “luxury” features, such as heated windscreen, heated seats, air conditioning, ABS and traction control and part-leather seats. At the same time, other detail improvements were made including a dash centre console, improved instrument illumination and the availability of front electric windows for the first time on a Defender.
The last major overhaul of the ‘original’ Defender was known as the L316 which began production in Spring 2007, with some big changes with the dropping of the TD5 engine being replaced by a 2.4 Ford Duratorq unit, other major changes were to the interior. The dashboard layout of the original 110 from 1983 (which was in turn very similar to that used on the Series III from 1971) was replaced with a full-width fascia and different instrumentation. Instruments came from the Discovery 3 and some of the centre panels come from the Ford Transit. Whilst some interior fittings from the British Leyland parts bin – some of which dated back to the 1970s – were finally dropped, but the steering column switchgear (sourced from the Mk.1 Austin Metro) and the ignition switch (from the Morris Marina) were carried over from the previous interior. A new heater and ventilation system improved de-misting and heater performance.
Other interior changes were to the seating layout. Legislation from the EU outlaws the inward-facing seats used in the rear of previous Land Rover 4x4s. The 2007 Defender replaced the four inward-facing seats with two forward-facing seats. This made the Defender 90 4×4 a four-seater vehicle (reduced from six or seven), and the Defender 110 4×4 a seven-seater (reduced from nine). This brought the Defender in line with its competitors which have generally used this layout for many years.
The only external design alterations were minor detail changes. The bonnet was reshaped with a pressed bulge to allow the new, taller engine to fit in the engine bay whilst meeting pedestrian safety laws. This also avoided the need to re-design the engine sump to clear the axle. The new dashboard and ventilation system necessitated the removal of the distinctive air vent flaps underneath the windscreen which had been a feature of previous Land Rover utility models since the 1950s. While the flaps were deleted, the bulkhead pressing remained the same, so the outlines of where the flaps would be are still present. Passenger and rear loading doors were re-engineered to reduce corrosion and galvanic reaction. All other panels retained the same shape and styling that is viewed by enthusiasts as “iconic”
In August 2011, Land Rover announced what would be the final update of the Defender for the 2012 model year. By this time, Land Rover publicly acknowledged that it was working on a project to produce an all-new replacement for the Defender. This would lead to the unveiling of the first DC100 concept vehicle in September that year. While emissions and safety regulations have threatened the Defender since the early 2000s, these had either been avoided or Land Rover had found ways to modify the vehicle to economically meet the new requirements. However, safety regulations due for introduction in 2015 requiring minimum pedestrian safety standards and the fitment of airbags to commercial vehicles cannot be met without a wholesale redesign of the Defender.
The main change for the 2012 models was the installation of a different engine from the Ford Duratorq range. Ford decided, due to cost reasons, not to modify the 2.4-litre engine introduced in 2007 to meet the upcoming Euro 5 Emission Standards and so the engine was replaced with the ZSD-422 engine, essentially a 2.2-litre variant of the same engine. Although smaller than the existing unit the power and torque outputs remained unchanged and the same six-speed gearbox was used as well. The engine included a DPF for the first time on a Defender. The only other change was the reintroduction of the soft top body style to the general market. This had been a popular option for the Land Rover Series but by then the introduction of the Defender had been relegated to special order and military buyers only. Land Rover stated that the option was being brought back due to customer feedback.
The last Defender, a soft-top “90” rolled off the Solihull production line at 9:22 on Friday 29 January 2016.
Specification
Santorini Black
Black Half Leather
Air Conditioning
Electric Windows
Heated Seats
Heated Windscreen
Urban Upgrades (Carried out in November 2020)
Urban Truck Design Pack
Urban Truck DRL Front Bumper
Urban Ultimate Handling Pack
Billet Aluminium Door Handle and Hinge Set inc Fuel Cap
Urban Ultimate Performance Pack (ECU Remap, Pipercross Filter, Performance Intercooler
Stainless Steel Milltek Exhaust
Momo Quark Steering wheel with Urban Slimline Boss
LED Interior Light Kit
Alpine Double DIN Headunit with DAB & Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
Stage 2 Audio Upgrade
Alpine SPR-50 2 Way Reference Speakers
Alpine SPR-50 2 Way Reference Component Speakers inc. Tweeters
Alpine SWE-1200 Powered Subwoofer
Registration Number DF13DEF included
Service History
Supplied New by Stratstone Land Rover Bury on 28 January 2014
12 Month Service by Stratstone Land Rover Bury on 28 January 2015 @ 3,193 Miles
24 Month Service by Farnell Land Rover Bury on 19 January 2016 @ 5,711 Miles
36 Month Service by S&P Lomas Ltd on 4 January 2017 @ 8,112 Miles
MOT, 4 January 2017 @ 8,112 Miles
48 Month Service by S&P Lomas Ltd on 3 January 2018 @ 10,263 Miles
MOT, 3 January 2018 @ 10,263 Miles
60 Month Service by S&P Lomas Ltd on 3 January 2019 @ 12,649 Miles
MOT, 3 January 2019 @ 12,649 Miles
72 Month Service by S&P Lomas Ltd on 3 January 2020 @ 14,604 Miles
MOT, 3 January 2020 @ 14,604 Miles
MOT, 3 November 2020 @ 16,318 Miles
Urban Upgrades, 12 November 2020
Scheduled Service by Iconic 4×4 on 25 January 2021
MOT, 29 October 2021 @ 17,418 Miles
Scheduled Service by Iconic 4×4 on 5 April 2022
MOT, 12 December 2022 @ 18,931 Miles
96 Month Service by Land Rover Portsmouth on 20 March 2023 @ 19,079 Miles
MOT, 11 December 2023 @ 20,578 Miles
Scheduled Service by Land Rover Northampton on 24 October 2024 @ 21,630 Miles
4 Owners
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