On May 31, 2022, Land Rover unveiled the Defender 130, its largest Defender yet, boasting an eight-seat configuration and the expected off-road prowess from the brand.
The Defender 130 is 13.38 inches longer than the standard four-seater, making it the longest in the series' history. It will be available in five versions: S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X, and a First Edition model. The extra length provides more room inside the cabin for the third row of seats in a 2+3+3 configuration.
With the second and third rows of seats folded, the Defender 130 offers up to 80.9 cubic feet (2,291 liters) of storage space. In a five-seat configuration, it has 43.5 cubic feet (1,232 liters) of load area. For easy loading, there's a button in the trunk load area that controls the SUV's air suspension.
According to Land Rover, the third row of seats can comfortably accommodate up to three adults, with generous headroom available on all eight seats. The second row of seats is foldable and movable to allow easy entry into the third row. Each row gets its own ventilation system, and there's an optional four-zone climate control exclusive to the Defender 130.
Inside the cabin, the Defender 130 features a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and an 11.4-inch instrument cluster display (standard on the X specification). A new feature in the Defender is the Cabin Air Purification Plus system, which uses patented technology to reduce and remove nanoparticles, eliminating odors and viruses.
The Defender 130 will be powered by two engine options: the P300, a 3.0-liter mild-hybrid turbocharged engine with 296 horsepower (218 kilowatts) and 347 pound-feet (470 Newton-meters) of torque, and the P400, a six-cylinder engine generating 395 hp (290 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm).
Standard in all Defender 130 units will be Land Rover's all-wheel-drive system, an eight-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF, air suspension, and the Terrain Response system. The SUV will also feature a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds (3,720 kilograms) and a maximum payload capacity of 1,760 lbs (798 kg).
The Land Rover Defender 130 can already be ordered in the United States, with a starting price of $68,000 without destination and delivery taxes.
