The new Land Rover Defender Hard Top introduces the 4 × 4 utility market with foolproof crossing capabilities, real qualities of versatility and solidity, in addition to connectivity worthy of the 21st century and comfort. premium. The Hard Top designation has always been synonymous with a franchising character and transport possibilities to the most unexpected places, since the launch of the first Land Rover Hard Top 70 years ago.

Land Rover Defender Hard Top: the toughest and most durable utility

© Land Rover

Available as both the 90 Hard Top and the 110 Hard Top, the resistant interior of the new utility combines the two-seater compartment - with an optional 3rd folding seat - a particularly robust rear cargo space that can accommodate up to 1 and 355 liters respectively.

By integrating a lockable housing under the floor and studying a specific partition, the experts at Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations have used every opportunity to increase the volume and practicality of the Defender, and have made it the most commercial Land Rover vehicle. practical and the most robust ever.

The Defender Hard Top is only available with the powerful and efficient in-line six-cylinder Diesel Land Rover Ingenium, in versions D200, D250 and D300 All use the ultimate version of Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) which distributes power and torque in the most efficient and economical way.

“The Land Rover Defenders have always shone in the toughest conditions. Whether for work or play, the Defender Hard Top is a vehicle that will stop at nothing, and meet any challenge. "
-Michael van der Sande Managing Director, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations

Land Rover Defender Hard Top: the toughest and most durable utility

© Land Rover

A solid and flexible load space

All versions of the Defender Hard Top feature cargo space with a full height bulkhead to separate occupants from cargo. This partition ensures safety and preserves the same driving sensations as on the civilian model. The bulkhead itself has four cargo-side tie-down hooks and, on the 110s, two cabin-side nets that can accommodate multiple small items.

The full-width floor has up to six anchor points, thick rubber mats and a series of lockable housings, providing up to 58 liters of under-floor storage in the rear of the Defender 90 as well as the 110. Additional under floor space is available on the 110 Hard Top, in the location that usually accommodates the passengers' feet, reserving a concealed storage of 155 liters, and the entire cargo area benefits from 'light five times brighter than the passenger compartment of Defenders.

In addition, the floor of the front seats receives thick rubber trims with high edges, and when it comes time to clean the car, all of these mats pass easily under a jet of water.

The Defender Hard Top's cargo space is accessed through the rear door, hinged to the side, while the rear side doors, on the 110 version, are practical for carrying the smallest parcels placed in the front without having to separate the entire load. The inner face of these rear doors have a very thin profile, aiming to optimize the load space. If necessary, the Defender 110 Hard Top can accommodate cargo in Euro Palette standard thanks to its wide rear opening and generous proportions. The maximum load length can reach 1 mm on the 472 and the anchor points allow loads to be securely tied down.

The customer will be able to affix his company name on the exterior side panels of the Defender Hard Top, thus associating his own brand with the iconic silhouette. Various accessories and roof galleries are available to increase the load space.

Land Rover Defender Hard Top: the toughest and most durable utility

© Land Rover

Unequaled talent

The Defender Hard Top has remarkable off-road capabilities, added to its qualities as a transporter - giving it the ability to reach the most isolated delivery points.

Both the 90 and the 110 Hard Top are equipped with independent wheels and coil springs, while the 110 can also be fitted with state-of-the-art electronically controlled air suspension. Both versions have an architecture remarkably conducive to crossing, with a ground clearance of up to 291 mm, and angles of attack, peak and flight identical to those of the “civilian” model - up to 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively for the 110 (suspensions set in high position).

The Defender Hard Top is also capable of real towing feats, with a capacity to tow up to 3 kg. It can cross 500mm deep fords, with the help of the 'Wade' program, integrated with the Terrain Response 900 system, which guarantees the driver to cross flooded roads or tracks with confidence.

Land Rover piloted all-wheel drive is a decisive help in allowing the driver to go wherever he wants. This new intelligent suspension collects information on the environment encountered and the driver's orders via sensors, and continuously deduces the ideal distribution of torque to the axle and wheel that need it. Not only does this torque management optimize traction and handling, but it also contributes to the efficiency of the transmission to reduce fuel consumption, without sacrificing any of the unmatched clearing capabilities unique to the Defender.

Land Rover Defender Hard Top: the toughest and most durable utility

© Land Rover

Powerful and efficient Ingenium Diesel engines

The Defender Hard Top draws its power from a choice of state-of-the-art Ingenium Diesel engines, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case.

The Defender 90 Hard Top uses the D200 inline six-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.

The Defender 110 Hard Top can accommodate both D250 and D300 inline six-cylinder Diesel engines, combined with MHEV mild hybridization technology and, as an option, electronic air suspension. The D250 delivers 249 horsepower and 570 Nm of torque, compared to 300 horsepower and 650 Nm for the D300.

Ingenium Diesel inline six-cylinder engines deliver power with a smoothness that suits the Defender Hard Top perfectly. They contribute to lower fuel consumption thanks to the intelligent all-wheel drive.

The six-cylinder engines comply with RDE2 and Euro 6d-Final standards, the most restrictive regulations in the world in terms of pollution, and feature light hybridization technology (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle: MHEV) to increase their refinement, performance and performance.

The 48V system collects the energy usually lost during deceleration and braking and directs it to a battery located under the rear floor. This energy is then redeployed to add torque in stop & start mode, which makes driving smoother and more economical.

Land Rover Defender Hard Top: the toughest and most durable utility

© Land Rover

The versions of the Defender Hard Top

Backpacker, the Defender 90 Hard Top is only available with seats upholstered in a solid Ebony fabric, prepared for the challenges and incidents of everyday use, as well as with solid rubber mats.

Buyers of the Defender 110 Hard Top can choose from four finishes: Defender, S, SE and HSE. These offer a whole range of refinements, both outside and inside, and a wide choice of rims. The SE receives grained leather upholstery, the HSE Windsor leather seats, materials offering a unique blend of comfort and durability.

At the cutting edge of technology, the Land Rover Pivi Pro infotainment system and its touchscreen allow spontaneous and intuitive control of the main vehicle functions, for example the connection of a smartphone, via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Dual eSIM technology, built into Pivi Pro, enables Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) connection, which provides remote updating of most driver assistance and infotainment software. For those using the Defender Hard Top in a professional setting, this minimizes shop downtime as SOTA updates can be installed without going through a visit to the Land Rover dealership.

All new Defender Hard Top models offer a very comprehensive set of driver assistance technologies, including the Land Rover 3D Panoramic Camera System which allows viewing of the surroundings on the center screen, helping the driver to maneuver safely in traffic areas. narrow spaces, or to park precisely near the objects to be loaded.

For a perfect rear view - even if the cargo space is full up to the roof or if a third passenger occupies the optional central folding seat - the Land Rover ClearSight Rear View system camera continuously displays the images from the rear: all you need is activate a discreet switch on the back of the central mirror.

Convenience is taken a step further with the Remote smartphone app, which lets you know the position, fuel level and progress of the vehicle from the office, ensuring an additional degree of safety and peace of mind.

The approval of the Defender Hard Top as a 2 or 3 seater utility vehicle will allow it to benefit from the associated tax regime: exemption from Ecotax; exemption from TVS and recovery of VAT (under conditions).

The Defender 90 Hard Top is available from € 55 including tax, and the 100 Hard Top starts at € 110 including tax.

More information on www.landrover.fr

To read our last article on the same subject:

The new Land Rover Defender 110 arrives in dealerships