The purists will no doubt be horrified, but the new Land Rover Defender is bristling with technology as the marque battles to bring new customers to the brand.
The new Defender 90 and 110 models will offer petrol and diesel engines from launch and a 48-volt Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) will be joined by a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) providing electric-only running.
Jaguar Land Rovers new Pivi Pro software means customers can connect two smartphones at once, while Software-Over-The-Air updates for up to 14 electronic control modules means the new Defender will get better with age and even fix itself remotely.
Using a smartphone app, owners can remotely keep track of the fuel level, location and journey history as well as heat or cool the new Defender to their liking.
A 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto delivers a broader range of functions while a waterproof and wearable Activity Key watch works independently of the fob, allowing customers to lock and unlock the new Defender from their wrist.
A full-colour Head-up Display provides on and off-road information with new video capability putting important information directly in front of the driver.
The ClearSight ground view and rear-view mirrors provide enhanced vision around the vehicle, particularly the 3D on-screen visualisation when using the Advanced Tow Assist and Wade Sensing systems.
It’s a world away from the old Defender where you put your wellies on and walked around the vehicle and then waded into the stream to see how deep it was.
Test Drive the new Land Rover Defender at Archibald & Shorter, 20 Wairau Rd, Milford, Auckland and 550 Great South Rd, Greenlane, Auckland.
