On September 10, at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2019, British marque Land Rover held the world premiere of its new Defender SUV, renowned for its exceptional off-road capability and durability.

The new Defender is available in two body types: the Defender 110, a five-door model with a long wheelbase, and the Defender 90, a three-door model with a short wheelbase.

The chassis utilizes Land Rover's newly developed lightweight aluminum monocoque structure, the "D7x" architecture, engineered for extreme environments. It boasts three times the torsional rigidity of previous ladder frames, making it the brand's strongest body structure to date. Buyers can choose between fully independent air or coil suspension, and the platform is designed to accommodate electric powertrains.

The exterior design features short front and rear overhangs, providing excellent approach and departure angles. Its distinctive upright stance, the "Alpine light" windows at the rear of the roof, the side-hinged tailgate, and the externally mounted spare tire all contribute to a silhouette that is unmistakably Defender.

The interior echoes the spirit of the original Defender, introduced 71 years ago, by intentionally exposing structural elements and fittings that are usually hidden. It also achieves a three-person front seating capacity through a newly developed seat arrangement (when the optional jump seat is used) and a shift selector mounted on the dashboard.

The 110 offers configurations for five or six seats (with the jump seat option), or a 5+2 seating arrangement, with luggage capacity expandable to 1,075 liters or 2,380 liters with the seats folded. The 90 can be configured with five or six seats (with the jump seat). User-friendly features include rubber flooring that is easy to clean and an optional folding fabric sunroof that allows occupants to open the roof and feel as if they are standing up on safari when parked. A satin protective film wrap, which shields the paintwork from scratches and stone chips while being sustainable and recyclable, is also available as an option.

At launch, the powertrain lineup will include the P300, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a mild-hybrid system, and the P400, a 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine. These will be followed by the D200 and the powerful D240, both 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engines.

With permanent AWD (all-wheel drive), a twin-speed automatic gearbox, a center differential, and an optional active locking rear differential, the new Defender is engineered to deliver exceptional performance in diverse environments, from sandy deserts to frozen tundras.

Performance figures include a minimum ground clearance of 291mm, an approach angle of 38 degrees, a breakover angle of 28 degrees, and a departure angle of 40 degrees. The "Terrain Response 2" system's wading program allows for a maximum wading depth of 900mm, enabling drivers to confidently navigate deep water. Additionally, the "ClearSight Ground View" feature displays a 180-degree view of the terrain directly beneath the front of the vehicle on the interior touchscreen, creating the sensation of driving without a hood on dry surfaces.

Following the 110 and 90 models, a practical commercial version of the new Defender is slated for introduction in 2020. This will complete Land Rover's lineup, complementing the luxurious and refined Range Rover family and the capable and versatile Discovery family. Details regarding the launch timing and pricing for Japan are yet to be announced.