The Land Rover Defender is once again getting the commercial vehicle treatment. The company will restore the Hard Top name to its lineup for versions of the Defender 90 and 100 later this year. The Hard Top are dates back to 1950 the the introduction of demountable Hard Tops gave early Series Land Rovers added security and protection from the elements.
The new model is slated to be as tough as the traditional Defender, which offers 4×4 capability beneath its technologically advanced yet ruggedly styled body. It will share its fixed metal roof and silhouette with the iconic original.
The Defender Hard Top revives a name first introduced 70 years ago.Photo courtesy of Land Rover
“We will maximize the functionality and usability of New Defender’s cargo area, with tough materials and clever storage solutions to ensure it surpasses the capability of any previous Defender Hard Top,” said Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations.
Both Hard Top models will feature an independent coil-sprung suspension with an advanced electronic air suspension available on the 110 model. Both the 90 and 110 will have off-road chops – a ground clearance of 291mm, while the 110 Hard Top will have approach, breakover and departure angles of up to 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively (in Off-Road height). Full technical details will be confirmed later this year.
“New Defender 90 and 110 Hard Top will be the toughest, most capable and most connected commercial 4x4s we have ever produced,” said Nick Collins, Land Rover Vehicle Line Director. “They have been engineered to meet global safety standards and deliver impressive long-haul comfort, giving businesses and professionals the best of all worlds.”
Land Rover will carry over the Defender’s traditional capability into the new model.Photo courtesy of Land Rover
The models will have a towing capacity of 3,500 kg. Hard Top models haven no second- or third-row seats. A first-row jump seat will be available, which would bring up the seating capacity from two to three.
The interior of the models won’t skimp on amenities, offering the same infotainment, safety, and driver assist technology as the traditional Defender.
Fleet owners can use the Remote smartphone app to track of the location, fuel level and journey history of their vehicle remotely, for ultimate peace of mind and security.
Land Rover is pricing the model from £35,500 (plus VAT) in the UK. Additional information will be available later this year.
