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Jaggy Cars - June 2009
Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon
Brick-Like And Bruising, But I Love It!
I've got a theory. Go to any agricultural sale or auction and you can spot a Land Rover Defender driver at 50 paces. He walks with a list - to the left. And no, it's not the result of leaning into the wind over the years counting sheep, or walking in circles round a hill farm checking his bullocks, it's the Land Rover 'List'. And all the diehards have it.
If you're over five feet in height and six stone in weight, you'll get it, and the taller you are the worse the list is.
That's because the vehicle is so narrow that your right shoulder rubs on the 'B' pillar and your left elbow rests on the box between the seats. To get the driver's door shut, you have to lean to the left across the box, breathe in, and slam the door shut. Then you can breathe out and fill the space.
I have another theory. You don't need seat belts in one of these. You are so wedged in you ain't gonnae go anywhere even if you roll it!
However, there has been a major technological breakthrough. Electric slide down windows! In the old days of the two-piece slide-along job, you could just about squeeze your right elbow out to help you get right lock on the steering wheel. With this latest improvement, you can drop the window out of sight and get your arm resting on the sill. Marvellous, Abso-bloody-lutely marvellous, and it's only taken 60 years to come up with it.
There is however, one thing missing, the under windscreen opening vents. Yes, I know modern air conditioning systems are more efficient, but they are so soul-less and whiffy. With the old style LR vents you could smell where you were at all times - in the pine woods, out in the fields, passing a barbecue or near the slurry pit!
Of course, the biggest improvement to the current Land Rover is the adoption of the 2.4 litre Ford Transit diesel engine.
Out goes the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder engine with 120 hp and 300 Nm of torque and the five speed 'box, and in comes the 2.4 litre unit and 6 speed shift from the Transit! A Honeywell-Garrett variable nozzle turbocharger minimises lag with the result that it has the same power output as the previous 2.5, but much more torque, in fact 20% more. Even more important is the way that the 360 Nm of torque is produced with 90% of peak power available from just 2200 rpm.
The new six speed gearbox is the Ford MT82 unit built at Getrag-Ford's plant at Halewood. The modified two-shaft design incorporates a forged aluminium centre plate which supports a third bearing for the output and countershafts. This was designed to withstand the high torque forces generated by new generation hi-power diesel engines.
The result is an engine that won't win any prizes at drag races, but has more pulling power than George Clooney at a granny night, and a gearbox that has more in common with a Mondeo than a Massey Ferguson.
And although the turning circle retains its Royal Navy dimensions, the steering system itself has been sharpened up. Other than that, changes to the latest model include new seats and a revised dashboard layout. The seats are taller are stepped towards the rear, so that the two or three in the back can see over the heads of the three in the middle and the two in the front.
Otherwise it's the same cramped front cabin so beloved of all those die-hards who hate progress.
On The Road
For anyone over average height and girth, gaining access to the driver's seat and belting up is a bit like fighting a gorilla inside a fridge. There's no room to swing arms or legs, and limbs are restricted by unyielding surfaces.
The driving position also requires most folk to adopt the 'farmer's list'. The driver has to park his/her right cheek on the seat bolster and lean to the left so that the right arm can be used to steer whilst the left changes gear. After a while you get used to it, but opening the window greatly eases the problem as the driver can stick his elbow out creating more room.
There is however, one immediately noticeable improvement. On firing up the new engine, it's much quieter than before. The unmistakable beat of a diesel four pot is still there, but it is much more subdued. Insulation has been improved and sound ingress decreased with the result that conversations can be carried without sounding like you're inside a bin lorry.
But if you want a comfy ride, buy a Discovery. The Defender's ride is on the chiropractor's list of recognisable ailments. On the other hand, anyone buying a Defender will do so because they have a definite need for it.
In other words, its road manners are acceptable, but take it off road and the machine excels. Although quiet, the new engine is audible enough for the driver to make informed choices about gear selection and throttle position rather than having to keep one eye on the rev counter.
The full-time four wheel drive transmission has both High and Low ratios which can be selected on the move while the diff locks are operated by a throw of the lever. And when idling along in low ratio, there is a feeling that the Defender is quite simply unstoppable, even with a bow wave washing over the radiator!
Successful off-road driving is all about confidence, and the Defender is inspiring. It's all about knowing when to 'gun' the engine and when to back off, and with the new responsive 4 cylinder it has simply made the job easier.
And for those who need a towing vehicle, there is one final clincher in the Spec Sheet. The Defender can tow 3.5 tonnes. That's two rally cars on a trailer, or a vintage steam car!
And finally. There could be one other advantage of driving a Land Rover Defender. The environmental-loonies tend to leave Defender owners alone and won't leave 'envy stripes' scraped along the bodywork when parked in town centres. The Defender is seen more as a working tool than an enemy of the state. Just make sure you are wearing your wellies, or scatter sheep dog hair in the back seats, when parking in town!
Conclusion
The Land Rover Defender is the Black & Decker of the automotive world. It's a tool, not a toy. As far as comfort goes, it has definite shortcomings, but if there is a job to be done, the driver knows that this vehicle will succeed where others might struggle.
Would I have one? Even with the 'farmer's list' and bruised right elbow driving position, bruised elbow bumping off the door?
Like a shot. If I had the money for a third vehicle in the family household, it would be a Defender - just don't ask me to justify it!
In Short:
Price: £26,630
Engine: 2401 cc, 4 cyl. Turbo-diesel with 120 bhp
Performance: 0 - 60 mph in 14.7 seconds, flat out at 82 mph
Economy: 29.7 mpg extra urban, 25.7 mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 295 g/km
Insurance Group: 12
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