The Land Rover Defender is an off-road utility vehicle with four-wheel drive. It was introduced in 1990 and is still in production as of 2011. The Defender is part of the Land Rover series of off-road vehicles, which entered production in 1948.
Overview
The Defender model of the Land Rover represents a major redesign in the Land Rover series, with a turbo diesel engine being the biggest improvement over previous models. The engines in the Defender have cylinder heads made of modern alloys. Additional new features in these engines include direct fuel injection, intercooling and turbocharging. The engine’s breathing system now has a filter to prevent the sump oil from entering the engines intake.
Body Style
The Land Rover Defender is available in a range of body styles. Models with a 90-inch wheelbase are available as a three-door station wagon, two-door pickup truck or two-door hardtop. Models of the Land Rover Defender with a 110-inch wheelbase are available as a five-door station wagon or two-door hardtop. Models with a 130-inch wheelbase are available as a four-door double cab or two-door hardtop.
Engine
The Land Rover Defenders made from 1990 to 1994 were available with a 2.5-liter engine producing 170 hp. Models made from 1994 to 1998 were available with a 2.5-liter engine producing 111 hp. Models of the Land Rover Defender made after 1998 are available with a choice of three engines. These include a 3.9-liter 182-hp engine, a 2.4-liter 122-hp turbo diesel engine and a 2.4-liter 122-hp turbo diesel engine.