Power – Icon: The Landrover Defender

I own a Defender; I just bought a Defender; want a ride in my Defender? Out of perspective, the name has all the potential to raise eye-brows but, when you match it up with Land Rover’s globally reputed name, everything falls into place. When a Land Rover Defender shows up to pick you up you know adventure is around the corner, whether it be jumping sand dunes, crossing rocky terrains or trekking through a humid jungle. The Defender is the acknowledged king when it comes to spontaneous, off-road driving.

It’s no wonder the Defender has been the choice of wheels for some of Hollywood’s most phenomenal action characters. To name a few, Matt Damon in Green Zone, Angelina Jolie – yes, how could you not know – in Tomb Raider, but did you know she also took one for a spin in Salt? It’s even had a share of road-time in Bond film Quantum of Solace and The Italian Job, not to mention Hustle, The Da Vinci Code and numerous takes in the many Fast and the Furious films.

It turns out the car was synonymous with action and adventure even before its prized 2.2 litre engine materialised. Land Rover’s iconic Defender has proved itself many thousands of times over by now on everything from farms to desert terrains and film sets to off-road endurance rallies and the battlefield. Since 1948, when the first Land Rover was produced, the brand has sold an excess of 2 million vehicles around the globe.

Earlier in the year Land Rover launched its 2013 Defender model, the LXV, in celebration of the brand’s 65 year anniversary and to mark the success of its most valued range. If you were lucky to pick one of these up – only 65 were manufactured on a limited edition basis – then you have something pretty covetable in your grasp.

Ramping up its heritage of exploration and adventure, this year the brand appointed marine explorer and conservationist Monty Halls as its global ambassador, gifting him a specially designed ‘Dive Centre’ dual purpose Land Rover Defender to accompany Hall and his team on their expeditions as the voyage into unexplored terrains.

We all know why the Defender is the ride of choice for thrill seekers from its exterior design, but what makes each model so sought-after on the inside? I’m not talking about the interior leather seats but rather the heavy-duty mechanics that secure the power behind the latest Defender range.

Let’s start with the Defender’s signature 2.2 litre engine which produces an impressive 360Nm of torque for maximum muscle in tough environments. The driving experience is further enhanced by Defender’s six-speed manual transmission. Specially developed for heavy-duty applications, it is light, strong and also provides smooth on-road performance and slick gear changes.

Terrain capability is factored into every detail. Your job is to push it to its limits and give the Defender the ride it was designed to face.

For more information visit landrover.com

By Emma Corbett