LAND ROVER DEFENDER HARD TOP: MOST RUGGED AND DURABLE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ON SALE NOW

9 September 2020

The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top brings unstoppable capability, usability and toughness to the commercial 4x4 sector alongside 21st century connectivity and premium comfort.

  • Unstoppable capability: Land Rover Defender Hard Top provides a unique combination of off-road capability, long-haul comfort, toughness and durability in the commercial vehicle sector
  • Hardworking heritage: Hard Top name dates back to the 1950 original and has been revived for the most durable and practical member of the New Defender family
  • Two practical body designs: New Defender Hard Top is available in 90 and 110 body designs, providing 1,355 and 2,059 litres of cargo space respectively
  • Ingenium diesel engines: Powerful and efficient Ingenium diesel engines with smooth eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive
  • Off-road expert: Defender Hard Top is capable of wading up to 900mm and will tow up to 3,500kg, with Advanced Tow Assist technology available to aid reversing manoeuvres
  • Fit for purpose: Flexible load area features full rubber floor coverings, lashing points, hooks, lockable underfloor storage and a full bulkhead partition for security and safety
  • Business-ready: Passenger compartment has space for up to three occupants with the Defender’s innovative optional jump seat and features the latest connected technologies
  • Enhanced visibility: Clearsight Rear View camera (option) and 3D Surround Camera (standard) ensure impeccable visibility around the whole vehicle, making light work of tight manoeuvres and off-road terrain
  • Available now: Defender 90 Hard Top available from £35,820 OTR (ex. VAT) in the UK, and Defender 110 Hard Top available from £43,012 OTR (ex. VAT)

Whitley, UK, 9 September 2020 – The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top brings unstoppable capability, usability and toughness to the commercial 4x4 sector alongside 21st century connectivity and premium comfort. The Hard Top name has been associated with rugged practicality and go-anywhere carrying capacity since the first Land Rover Hard Tops were introduced 70 years ago.

Available in both 90 Hard Top and 110 Hard Top body designs, the durable interior of the new commercial model combines a two-seat passenger compartment – with the option of a third central jump seat – and a flexible, hard-wearing rear load bay that provides 1,355 and 2,059 litres of loadspace respectively.

New Land Rover Defender 90 Hard Top Footage

By incorporating clever lockable underfloor storage solutions and a secure bulkhead partition, the experts at Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations have taken every step to maximise the space and practicality of the Defender in its transformation into the most usable and hard-wearing commercial Land Rover ever produced.

The Defender Hard Top is powered exclusively by Land Rover’s strong and efficient Ingenium diesel engines, including D200, D250 and D300 in-line six-cylinder variants. All make use of the latest advanced Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) system to distribute power and torque for optimum performance and efficiency.

 The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top
The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top
 The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top
The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top
 The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top
The New Land Rover Defender Hard Top

Land Rover Defenders have always thrived in the harshest environments. Whether for commercial or recreational use, the Defender Hard Top is a true no-nonsense vehicle that will take whatever is thrown at it, or in it.

Michael van der Sande
Managing Director, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations

Durable and flexible load area

All Defender Hard Top models come with a practical cargo area with a fixed full-height partition to separate occupants from the generous load area. The bulkhead boosts security and safety and preserves the refined driving experience of the passenger model. The partition itself comes with four hanging hooks on the loadspace side, and two stowage nets on the cabin side of 110 models for small items.

The full-width load floor is completely flat, with up to six integrated lashing points, heavy-duty rubber mats and a set of lockable storage areas providing with 58 litres of underfloor stowage at the rear of both the 90 and 110. An additional underfloor area is fitted to the 110 Hard Top, where the footwells of the Defender passenger model would normally be found, providing 155 litres of hidden stowage, and the whole load area is illuminated by enhanced interior lighting five times brighter than the standard passenger Defender.

New Land Rover Defender 110 Hard Top Footage

Additionally, high-sided rubber mats for the front footwells add to the rugged nature of the passenger compartment – and when the time comes to clean the interior out, the all-rubber floor coverings can be hosed down. 

The Hard Top’s load area is accessed via the side-hinged rear tailgate, while the rear side doors on 110 variants boost practicality and give customers the flexibility to access smaller items located towards the front without the need to move bulky objects out of the way. The interior rear door panels also feature a unique slimline profile to maximise loadspace inside. If required, the 110 Hard Top can accommodate a standard Euro Pallet thanks to its wide-opening tailgate and generous proportions. The maximum load length measures up to 1,472mm in the 110 and lashing points ensure large loads can be safely secured in place.

Customers can add bespoke signage to the Defender Hard Top's iconic silhouette, thanks to the Exterior Signage Panel behind the front row of seats that runs to the rear of the vehicle, while a variety of roof racks and accessories provide added scope for load carrying.

The New Land Rover Defender Infographic

Defender Hard Top load space in numbers:

                                                                           90 Hard Top                      110 Hard Top

Maximum load floor length:                       1,030mm                            1,472mm            
Maximum load floor width:                        1,326mm                            1,423mm
Maximum load height:                                     947mm                              937mm            

Load space capacity:                                     1,355 litres                        2,059 litres
(inc underfloor stowage)             

Payload:                                                           670kg                                  778-800kg                                          (depends on Engine & Specification Pack)

Unrivalled capability

Defender Hard Top provides exceptional off-road capability in tandem with strong load carrying capacity – giving commercial vehicle customers the ability to reach the most remote locations.

Both 90 and 110 Hard Top models are equipped with independent coil-sprung suspension, with advanced Electronic Air Suspension available on the 110. Electroic Air Suspension provides outstanding off-road geometry, with ground clearance of 291mm, and approach, breakover and departure angles as the passenger models – up to 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively for the 110 (in Off-Road Height).

The Hard Top also demonstrates impressive towing prowess, with the ability to pull up to 3,500kg, and it will wade through water up to 900mm deep, assisted by the Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system that ensures drivers can cross flooded roads or tracks with confidence.

Land Rover’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system is instrumental in enabling customers to go anywhere. The new intelligent driveline system uses sensor data from driver inputs and vehicle surroundings to continually vary axle torque and deliver it to where it’s needed. This torque distribution arrangement optimises the vehicle not only for traction and on-road dynamics, but it also contributes to driveline efficiency with lower CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy, without sacrificing any of the Defender’s unrivalled off-road capability.

Efficient and powerful Ingenium diesel engines

Power for the Defender Hard Top comes from a choice of advanced Ingenium diesel engines mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with twin-speed transfer box.

The Defender 90 Hard Top features the D200 in-line six-cylinder engine producing 200PS and 500Nm of torque.

The Defender 110 Hard Top is available with the D250 or D300 in-line six-cylinder diesel engines,  featuring MHEV technology and the option of Electronic Air Suspension. The D250 delivers 249PS and 570Nm of torque, while the D300 provides 300PS and 650Nm.

The smooth and strong torque delivery offered by the six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines is perfect for the Defender Hard Top, while also delivering superior fuel economy and reduced emissions from the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

The RDE2-certified and Euro 6d-Final compliant six-cylinder engines meet the most stringent global emissions standards and feature state-of-the-art Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology to enhance refinement, efficiency and responses.

The 48-volt system harvests energy usually lost when slowing down and stores it in a battery under the rear floor of the vehicle. This energy is then redeployed to provide torque assistance during stop/start driving, providing smoother and more economical driving.

Defender Hard Top specification

The rugged Defender 90 Hard Top comes exclusively in Defender specification with durable Ebony fabric seats ensuring it’s up to the challenges and rigours of everyday use, and rubber flooring throughout.

Defender 110 Hard Top customers can choose from four specifications: Defender, S, SE and HSE. These provide a range of exterior and interior enhancements and wheel choices, including Taurus upholstery on SE and Windsor Leather seats on HSE, all offering a unique blend of comfort and durability.

Land Rover’s state-of-the-art Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment provides immediate and intuitive control of all the major vehicle functions, including seamless smartphone integration using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Twin eSIM technology underpins Pivi Pro and supports Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) capability, allowing customers to download updates for a variety of vehicle systems. For professionals using the Defender Hard Top for business, this will minimise time spent off the road as SOTA updates can be completed without the need to visit a Land Rover retailer.

All New Defender Hard Top models feature a comprehensive set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. This includes Land Rover’s 3D Surround Camera system that provides all-round visualisation of the vehicle on the central touchscreen, helping drivers manoeuvre safely in tight spaces or position the vehicle close to items ready for loading.

For an uncompromised view out of the rear of the vehicle – regardless of whether the load space is full or if there’s a passenger in the optional Jump Seat – Land Rover’s ClearSight Rear View camera provides an uninterrupted view out the rear of the vehicle at the flick of a switch on the bottom of the rear-view mirror.

Convenience is enhanced further with the Remote smartphone app, which will allow businesses to keep track of the location, fuel level and journey history of their vehicle from afar, for ultimate peace of mind and security.

The 90 Hard Top is available from  £35,820 OTR (exc. VAT) and the Defender 110 Hard Top from £43,012 OTR (exc. VAT) in the UK.

Further information

For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:

Kim Palmer
Public Relations Manager, Land Rover UK

M: 07795 666 169
E: kpalmer@landrover.com

Mark Griffin
Senior Press Officer, Land Rover UK

M: 07387 237 796
E: mgrif124@jaguarlandrover.com

Twitter: @LandRoverUKPR

Instagram: @LandRoverUKPR

Notes to Editors

About Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles; and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports saloon and sports car marques.

At Jaguar Land Rover, we are driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, which will provide experiences our customers will love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe. In 2019 Jaguar Land Rover sold 557,706 vehicles in 127 countries.

We support around 260,000 people through our retailer network, suppliers and local businesses. At heart we are a British company, with two major design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an Engine Manufacturing Centre and soon to be opened Battery Assembly Centre. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria and Slovakia. We have seven technology hubs. In the UK these are based in Manchester, Warwick (NAIC) and London. Globally these are located in Shannon, Ireland, Portland, USA, Budapest, Hungary and Changshu, China.

We have a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and petrol engines. All new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicle models offer the option of electrification, giving our customers even more choice.