The Latest Defender Surprisingly Gets a 350 Hp Diesel

There’s not much to be excited about in the MY25 Defender update. Of course, that hardly has to be the case – the Defender is, by all accounts, probably the most likeable car Land Rover currently makes. Even in showrooms it is still the proverbial hot cake. Accordingly, this upgrade is mainly about optimizing the equipment packages and introducing individual “captain chairs” in the second row of the 130. That’s not seismic.

Except perhaps the introduction of a “powerful, flexible new engine option” in the form of the D350. It replaces the current range-topping D300 Ingenium diesel engine and means buyers get a 50bhp increase in power and 516Nm of torque – significantly more than the petrol V8. Land Rover doesn’t get bogged down in performance figures, but on the basis that the same unit propels the latest Range Rover Sport to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (and the ‘old’ 110 D300 did it in 7.0 seconds), Let’s split the difference and say 6.5 seconds sounds reasonable. This is a practical upgrade in a notoriously heavy SUV.

The manufacturer says the D350 “helps the Defender be more responsive than ever before, with greater flexibility and quicker responses, meaning everything from overtaking to towing is even more effortless.” And based on that, that the D300 has already performed well in terms of flexibility, overtaking and towing, we’re inclined to think that this is probably the version you’ll want, even taking into account the V8’s wanton silliness (unless you have done it). have you already signed up for the potentially epic OCTA).

Aside from the thought of even more power from JLR’s melodic inline-six, the introduction of the so-called 110 Sedona Edition (pictured) is probably the second most important thing. If we tell you it’s called “Sedona” because Sedona, Arizona provided the inspiration for the paint color (a deep red hue offset by an Extended Black Pack and 22-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels), you probably have understood what it’s all about. This saves us from having to talk about it any further.

The captain chairs in the 130 are more interesting, if only because they represent a partly practical solution. By providing two individual, armrest-equipped chairs for those in the second row, Land Rover can not only provide superior comfort, but also create a real aisle for the largest Defender – which of course also means unrestricted access to the third row as if you were one making the poor guy assigned to the middle seat stretch out his (or her) legs. And because there is a three-seater bench back there, the 130 is still a usable seven-seater. Probably even more usable than as an eight-seater.

Finally, there are these option packages. Most of these are familiar (albeit reorganized), although Land Rover is particularly keen to draw attention to the new Signature Interior Pack, which, in addition to installing heated seats throughout the interior, also features material upgrades for an improved feel and new pockets on either side of the center console . Honestly, though, we prefer the sound of the new hardtop Pro Pack, which includes pretty much everything you need to pimp out your commercial Defender, including air suspension and the power-deployable towbar. Add the D350 to the mix and you’ve got the badass off-roader you’ll ever need.