Small(er) diameter steel wheels? Check. Coil springs? Check. (air springs optional on the 110). Seat delete for more cargo space? Check. Lower price? Check.
All this is fine, but as far as I’m concerned the best thing about the Defender Hard Top is that it deletes the bizarre body-color side panel for a business-like solid rear quarter. It’s the only version of the new Defender in which, if you squint just the right way, you can kinda sorta see a few styling elements from the original Defender—the flat back (“Verticality,” in LR manager Gerry McGovern-speak), the outward bulge of the body below the greenhouse. These elements are present on the standard Defender as well, but they are completely overshadowed by that illogical square of body color stuck where no body color should be.
(I’m not even going to mention the “Adventure Pack” Flintstones lunchbox option available for the same spot.)
From Land Rover’s press office, here’s the rundown on the Defender Hard Top.
Land Rover has experienced unprecedented global demand for New Defender 90 and 110 since its successful world premiere last September and the new Hard Top models will be the next additions to the legendary bloodline.
Defender’s aluminium-intensive D7x body architecture is three times stiffer than the best body-on-frame designs. Sharing its strong body structure and next-generation Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) with passenger models, the Defender Hard Top is being developed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations to deliver unrivalled durability, practicality and toughness.
Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: “We will maximise the functionality and usability of New Defender’s cargo area, with tough materials and clever storage solutions to ensure it surpasses the capability of any previous Defender Hard Top.”
The 90 and 110 Hard Tops will both feature independent coil-sprung suspension, with advanced electronic air suspension also available on the 110. Both set-ups will provide outstanding off-road geometry, with ground clearance of 291mm, while the 110 Hard Top will have approach, breakover and departure angles of up to 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively (in Off-Road height). Full technical details will be confirmed later this year.
Nick Collins, Land Rover Vehicle Line Director, said: “New Defender 90 and 110 Hard Top will be the toughest, most capable and most connected commercial 4x4s we have ever produced. They have been engineered to meet global safety standards and deliver impressive long-haul comfort, giving businesses and professionals the best of all worlds.”
An impressive payload and towing capacity of up 3,500kg* will combine to make New Defender the ultimate commercial 4x4. The flexible cabin has no second or third-row seats, but the optional front-row jump seat means it will still accommodate up to three people. Land Rover’s clever ClearSight Rear View mirror system preserves rearward visibility when the jump seat is occupied, or when the load space is full. It uses a live video feed from a rear-facing camera to give drivers an unobstructed view at all times.
New Defender Hard Top will be a world-class tow vehicle, with a raft of technologies to help hitch, drive and reverse safely while pulling a trailer. Land Rover’s intelligent Advanced Tow Assist system takes the stress out of difficult reversing manoeuvres by letting drivers steer trailers with their fingertips using a rotary controller on the centre console.
The maximum wading depth of 900mm is also supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence – so important supplies will always get through.
So far this sounds like a new Defender a real overlander could appreciate.
But will it come to the U.S.? Sadly, all indications are that it won’t. The Hard Top is aimed at commercial users, and Land Rover has hope measured in negative integers of breaking into any commercial market in the U.S. The press release for the Hard Top was not even forwarded to U.S. news sources.
In all logical probability our choices will be restricted to the more upmarket versions of the Defender. They will still be impressively capable vehicles, but more expensively equipped and mounted with larger-diameter wheels and rear seats. And that panel.
If I got one, the first thing I’d do would be to take it to a body shop and have that panel painted.
Paraphrasing Mick Jagger:
“I see that panel and I want it to turn black. No color any more I want it to turn black . . .”