After a shorter hiatus, the iconic off-roader has come back to the market, with a new design. For the first time, this SUV was completely redesigned, despite that the original model was launched way back in 1983 and it was in production until 2016. During this long production cycle, we’ve seen numerous updates but never a full redesign. This has finally changed and the all-new version was presented recently. Still, that doesn’t mean the company is done with novelties. The 2021 Land Rover Defender will also bring some pretty interesting novelties, despite we are talking about the second production year.
According to the latest reports, the British manufacturer wants to expand the lineup and make this SUV available in an extremely wide price range. Therefore, we can find a lot of reports that suggest the arrival of the 2021 Land Rover Baby Defender, which would be highly affordable. Moreover, there is also a chance to see a new flagship version, even bigger than the current 110 model. However, those are just rumors at the moment, so take them with a reserve.
2021 Land Rover Defender Design
As we’ve just mentioned, there are various kinds of reports that suggest novelties for Land Rover 2021. Still, let’s talk about things we know first. There is no doubt that the overall design is about to remain the same. The new generation has been launched after so many years and it brings a completely new design approach. While the original model was a traditional BoF SUV, the new model rides on a new architecture, which features a unibody layout and it is mostly made of aluminum.
Of course, this brings all kinds of benefits, including a much better driving experience. However, that doesn’t mean that the new model is less capable than the original when it comes to off-road performances. After all, there is a full load of advanced off-road assistance systems. Some of the highlights are permanent all-wheel drive, locking differentials, and a two-speed transfer case. Also, keep in mind that the bigger 110 model comes with standard air suspension. On the other side, the smaller 90 model comes standard with classic coil springs. Still, you can opt for air suspension as well.
2021 Land Rover Defender Variants
This SUV has always been famous for the availability of different body styles. The new model is no exception and the initial version already came in two variants. Of course, the company uses a familiar naming policy. So, the smaller model is known as 90. It measures around 102 inches in wheelbase, which makes it super compact and an excellent choice for off-roading.
Those who are looking for more comfort can pick the bigger 110 models. With 119 inches in wheelbase, this version is a typical mid-size SUV in terms of size. So, you may count on a spacious and comfortable cabin, with plenty of legroom and solid cargo volume. Speaking of the interior, both models feature the same dashboard layout. It has a lot of resemblance with the original model, although there is also a lot of modern touches, especially when it comes to tech features, materials and similar things. As we already mentioned, this version comes standard with air suspension.
For the next year, some sources suggest we might see 2021 Land Rover Defender 130. As you may presume, this would be a full-size iteration of the SUV, with an even longer wheelbase, a genuine full-size SUV, which would compete with other full-size luxury SUVs, such as Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, Toyota Land Cruiser etc.
Also, the company plans to expand the range with a new entry-level off-roader, which is currently known as baby Defender.
Powertrain
As the most expensive, all-electric version is still under development, it seems pretty clear that the 2021 Land Rover Defender will carry on with the same engines in the offer. This means you may count on four familiar options, although not all of them are available on all markets.
The offer starts with a 2.0-liter turbo-four, which is good for about 300 horsepower. On the other side, the PHEV version is based on a 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit. It is good for about 400 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque.
There are also two familiar diesel options. In both cases, you may count on a 2.0-liter turbodiesel, which comes in two output variants, with either 200 or 240 horsepower. In both cases, a max output goes around 317 pound-feet of torque.
All engines come in pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
2021 Land Rover Defender Release Date and Price
Despite the possible novelties, we expect to see the new model in a typical time of year, sometime in the last quarter. When it comes to the 2021 Land Rover Defender price, we don’t expect changes among current versions but keep in mind that a new “baby” version has been rumored and that it will start around 33.000 dollars.