Supercharged V8 stomp for big Defender 130, plug-in hybrid power for Defender 110, plus other extra equipment
The award-winning Land Rover Defender line-up has been reshuffled for the 2024 model year, with some variants deleted, others added and several price hikes applied across the 24MY range, first examples of which will arrive Down Under in November.
Order books for the updated off-road SUV range are now open, with prices starting from $90,400 (plus on road costs) for the three-door Defender 90 S P300 ‘shorty’, representing an increase of $8450 over the now-deleted Defender 90 P300s, while the larger five-door Defender 110 S P300 now starts at $92,800 plus ORCs – also a rise of $8450.
A handful of new variants have been added to the 13-grade 2024 Defender portfolio, headlined by the first Defender plug-in hybrid – the Defender 110 P400e, a $139,300 proposition that is claimed to sip fuel at a super-low rate of just 3.4L/100km.
Belting out an impressive 297kW of power and 640Nm of torque from its four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combined, it’s capable of accelerating to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds and can cover 52km using only the electric motor.
It can also engage low-ratio gearing in EV mode for silent off-roading and will tow a trailer weighing up 3000kg.
At the other end of the scale is the biggest member of the Defender family, the five-metre-long, eight-seat Defender 130 P500 ($237,900 plus ORCs), which is powered by a thumping 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 (368kW/610Nm) that could give ever-patient Mercedes-AMG G 63 buyers pause for thought.
It accelerates to 100km/h in a brisk 5.7sec but the rumbling behemoth is only available in Santorini Black and Carpathian Grey exterior colours. It comes with a bold quad exhaust system, V8 badges and big 22-inch satin dark grey alloy wheels.
Land Rover has also added a luxurious adventure version of the extra-long Defender 130 model in the form of the Outbound P400, which deletes the eight-seat set-up and comes with five seats upholstered in rich Windsor leather or durable Resist fabric. There’s a massive 1329 litres of boot space (rising to 2516 litres with the rear seats stowed) and more storage solutions for adventure gear.
The third new variant being added to the 2024 Defender range later in 2023 is the Defender 110 Hard Top D250 ($110,000 plus ORCs), which is described as a ‘practical commercial version’ of the off-road icon with ‘world-class’ towing capabilities.
Inside, it features a front bench seat for three occupants, a bulkhead partition, lockable underfloor storage areas and several tech features designed to make hitching, reversing and driving with a trailer much easier. It’s equipped exclusively with the D250 engine, a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel (183kW/570Nm).
Land Rover will also introduce the County Exterior Pack for Defender 110 S D250 vehicles. Inspired by the original Defender County, it adds unique decals, illuminated treadplates, unique 20-inch alloy wheels and three exterior colour combos including various permutations of Tasman Blue, Fuji White and Santorini Black across roofs and bodies.
Numerous other extras will be added to all Defender 90 and 130 variants, such as a new cargo floor tray, while all Defender 90s will come with a central arm rest for the rear seats, a new ‘parachute’ grab handle and folding/sliding front passenger seat to improve access to the rear seats.
How much does the 2024 Land Rover Defender cost?
Defender 90 S P300 – $90,400
Defender 90 D250 – $97,700
Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE P400 – $112,400
Defender 90 X P400 – $148,450
Defender 90 V8 P525 – $221,550
Defender 110 S P300 – $92,800
Defender 110 P400 – $99,500
Defender 110 Hard Top S D250 – $110,000
Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE D300 – $108,250
Defender 110 P400 – $115,650
Defender 110 P400e – $127,600
Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 – $123,050
Defender 110 P400 – $129,900
Defender 110 P400e – $139,300
Defender 110 X D300 – $149,950
Defender 110 P400 – $152,150
Defender 110 P525 – $226,500
Defender 130 X-Dynamic SE D300 – $128,200
Defender 130 P400 – $135,700
Defender 130 Outbound P400 – $138,400
Defender 130 P500 – $237,900
* Prices do not include on-road costs
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Keyword: 2024 Land Rover Defender gets first PHEV option and more V8s