Flagship stretched version of rugged 4×4 set to offer eight seats and push Defender upmarket
Fresh patents filed in the US have revealed the upcoming Land Rover Defender 130 ahead of its launch in the next few months.
The new line drawings, leaked following the patent filing, clearly show how designers will not extend wheelbase. Instead, the rear body will be lengthened to help package a third row of seats.
Created to be positioned as a more capable off-roader alternative to the Audi Q7 and the BMW X7, the biggest Defender will reportedly be only offered in the highest-grade trims and will not be available as a van.
Already spotted testing, initial reports suggest it will employ the same 3022mm wheelbase as the 110 but add another 340mm in overall length – to the order of 5100mm overall.
As far as powertrains go, expect the Defender 130 to be offered with mild-hybrid 220kW 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder, the mightier 294kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and the flagship 386kW/625Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8.
The plug-in hybrid P300e will also be available.
A precise date has yet to be indicated when we’ll see the Defender 130, with Land Rover only confirming its eight-seater Defender would land in 2022.
Keyword: Land Rover Defender 130 previewed by patents