Although the Defender has been around for quite some time - indeed, it can trace its antecedents right back to the original land Rover Series 1 of 1948 - the latest Defender is significantly updated and changed. An all new 2.4 litre turbo diesel engine and an all new six speed manual gearbox with a lower first and higher top gear are the main technical changes. "The modifications improve its ability to operate on slopes and in rough country, and although it has much the same power output as the outgoing td5 engine, the new motor has much more torque and at a lower engine speed, giving it much better performance in off-road conditions," said the magazine. The other major makeover to the latest Defender has been to its interior. "Whereas previous models were blatantly agricultural, and controls scattered all over the place, the new Defender has a well laid-out interior with dashboard controls ergonomically positioned." "The new Defender still has the same lovable character of old but with a modern engine that is fully compliant with EU4 emissions legislation," said NZ 4WD editor, John Oxley. "It is still the best 4WD off-road straight off the showroom floor, but then it is the only one with beam axles and coil springs all round with approach and departure angles of 47 degrees and a minimum ground clearance of 323 mm."
"It might be the same old Defender but it IS different and much improved over the out-going model." Across the Tasman the Land Rover Discovery3 has won Australia's Best Cars All Terrain 4WD of the Year Award for an unprecedented fourth time.
The Discovery 3 SE TDV6 added to its success by beating tough competition, from Mitsubishi and Toyota, to once again claim the title of best all terrain 4WD in 2008. The judges praised the Discovery 3 for its on road manners, steering, handling, safety and standard specification levels.
This award comes a day after the Discovery 3 was also voted the Best Luxury 4WD in the Carsales Network People's Choice Awards, with last year's winner the Range Rover Sport finishing a close second.
Carsales had the following to say about the Discovery 3; "The well-regarded off-roader does everything a Luxury SUV needs to earn its keep, with composed on-road dynamics and, unlike some others in this segment, an exemplary four-wheel drive package for the rough stuff".
As "The World's Most Awarded 4WD", the Discovery 3 has now received over 100 awards in 18 countries globally, a testament to Land Rover design and engineering.
These latest accolades come during Land Rover's 60th Anniversary year.
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