Find your perfect new car<\/span> <\/p>\nBut utilise that straight line speed and you\u2019ll soon need to consider the lardy 2,631kg kerbweight, which takes a little while to reign in. We\u2019ve no complaints about the brakes themselves, but physics has its limitations and the Defender\u2019s outright size is definitely one of them.<\/p>\n
Another limitation closely linked to this car\u2019s mass \u2013 plus that old-school supercharged V8 \u2013 is its ability to return sub 20mpg fuel economy even in test conditions. In reality, you\u2019ll likely see mpg numbers in the mid-teens, or less if you drive with anything other than a featherweight right foot. Emissions of 325g\/km mean this Defender isn\u2019t likely to feature on anyone\u2019s company car wish list any time soon, either.<\/p>\n
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But all that bulk cannot detract from what is still a surprisingly good car to drive. The ride is plush and refinement is solid for something this bluff-fronted. And while there\u2019s plenty of pitch and roll to contend with, grip is unbreakable; the pictures you see here are not representative of the lashing rain we had to contend with on our drive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The one benefit of the sodden winter weather was a dramatic off-road route that showed off the Defender\u2019s capabilities to their fullest. Slippery tracks, rutted ravines and deep water proved no match for this evergreen off-roader. The longer rear overhang posed few problems, and the 130\u2019s turning circle is only slightly wider than the 110\u2019s, meaning there\u2019s little tangible trade-off when the going gets tough.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, the Defender is a car that continues to justify its price point with a high-quality cabin and usable technology, plus controls that feel both sturdy and luxurious. You don\u2019t get the same squashy dashboard finishes you\u2019ll find on a Bentley Bentayga\u00a0or even a Mercedes G-Class, but the Land Rover\u2019s Suedecloth steering wheel is lovely to hold, and we found the seats comfortable yet supportive, even after a long day of driving.<\/p>\n
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That huge body means there is space in all three rows; most 130s get eight seats, and while you wouldn\u2019t want to sit in the rearmost middle seat for long stints, it\u2019s accommodating enough for children, or short trips.<\/p>\n
Of course, the boot is vast, whether you go for the existing diesel or this new V8. Even with every seat occupied there\u2019s more space (389 litres) than you\u2019ll find in a Volkswagen Golf, while folding the third row gives you 1,232 litres to play with. The Defender can even double as a van with everything down; a maximum 2,291 litres of load space makes this one of the most practical cars on sale \u2013 if you can contend with that huge side-hinged back door.<\/p>\n
Unlike the rest of the Land Rover range, the V8 isn\u2019t available with the usual choice of trims \u2013 instead acting as a standalone specification. As you\u2019d assume for almost \u00a3117,000, it comes well equipped, proven by the fact our car was fitted with just one option: a \u00a3530 extended subscription to a secure tracker service.<\/p>\n
Every version of the 130 V8 gets 22-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tyres, a sliding panoramic roof, matrix-LED lights and privacy glass. Inside, there are 14-way heated and cooled leather seats, plus the excellent Pivi Pro 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment set-up, digital dials and a Meridian sound system. All of the Terrain Response systems are included, and every model rides on electronic air suspension \u2013 helping the car both on and off road.<\/p>\n
\n\n\nPrice:<\/td>\n \u00a3116,845 (Defender 130 from \u00a381,285 \/ \u00a3117,375 as tested)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nEngine:<\/td>\n 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nPower\/torque:<\/td>\n 493bhp\/610Nm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nTransmission:<\/td>\n Eight-speed auto, four-wheel drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n0-62mph:<\/td>\n 5.7 seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nTop speed:<\/td>\n 149mph<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFuel economy\/CO2:<\/td>\n 19.6mpg, 325g\/km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nOn sale:<\/td>\n Now<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nSource: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fitting the biggest Defender with a thumping great V8 results in plenty of brawn, but it does feel a bit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":247764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
New Land Rover Defender 130 P500 2024 review: plenty of space and power, but also rather excessive - AutoMotoBuzz.com<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n