LAND ROVER has revealed a range-topping version of its butch Defender off-roader.
Not only is this new 130 model more luxurious than the existing 90 and 110 models, but it can seat more people too – eight in total.
To accommodate those extra pews, the 130 is 34cm longer than the five-seat 110, taking on cars like the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS.
That additional length means more boot space too – a crazy 2516-litres with the two rows of back seats folded.
Versus the already cavernous 110 version, that’s some 953 litres more.
Large SUVs in the US and the Middle East already come with eight-seat configurations, but the Lander Rover Defender 130 will be the first SUV to offer it here in Britain.
The seats will be arranged in a two-three-three set-up with the car’s extra length meaning head and legroom should still be very generous.
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The rearmost seats will sit slightly higher than those in the middle to ensure decent visibility and accessing them is done by sliding an folding that middle set out of the way.
There’s a range of engines to choose from; a P300 petrol turbo straight-six with 296bhp or a faster P400.
If you’re more interested in diesel there’s a 296bhp D300 straight-six, and we wouldn’t rule out a plug-in hybrid and spicy V8 petrol version coming soon too. The other Defender have them after all.
No matter which engine you choose, you’ll get Land Rover’s eight-speed automatic gearbox, air suspension and its trademark all-wheel drive as standard.
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There’s a choice of trim levels though – SE, HSE, X-Dynamic, X and limited-run First Edition with all the bells and whistles.
The 130 gets Land Rover’s fanciest infotainment system as standard that’s usually reserved for more expensive versions of the 90 and 110.
Buyers will also get new interior trim options, like chrome air vents and seat switches, oak veneer and tan leather seats.
Prices start at a little over £73,000 for the entry-level petrol model and top out at around £98,000 for the range-topping disel.
When a V8 version comes along, we can expect it to cost well in excess of £100,000.
