The all-new Land Rover Defender strrikes again

Land Rover recently launched the V8 versions of the Defender 110 (left) and 90. Photo: Land Rover

In September last year, I bought the 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 P400SE off the first shipment to New Zealand. 

Thanks to the team at Duncan & Ebbett at Hamilton, I secured a Santorini Black example with a dark grey (Ebony interior) and the beautiful mid-SE spec (now topped by the HSE which is further topped by the X spec). It had radar cruise control, the Meridan stereo, and the resilient cloth seat interior combo. 

I have been supremely happy with my Defender and rate it 10/10 on the imaginary “Matt Chapman satisfaction scale’”. I had it wrapped matte black like the one in the upcoming James Bond movie No Time to Die (out in November) and accompanied with “5098” black wheels, which only got fitted two months ago.

What makes the new Defender so appealable is really the fact it’s based on the first generation icon. Many doubted Land Rover could pull off something that would capture the hearts of modern-day buyers. I believe they have.

Matt Chapman’s wrapped Land Rover Defender 110 at Parihoa. Photo: Liz Dobson

I got to drive the first Defender in NZ in July 2020 as part of the Land Rover’s press fleet and while it was it Parihoa, we went into the second lockdown so I got to keep it for a week rather than a day. That extra experience actually led to me buying Defender SE.

Fast forward almost a year and I think “Defender mania” has picked up a gear. Second-hand car prices of the first-generation example have risen. But more so, the supply of the new Defender has decreased due to factory closures and chip issues. 

TradeMe still has examples of the new Defender 110 but you need to be comfortable with the specs, otherwise, you are in for a long wait. 

And now we have the beautiful Defender 90 appearing on our roads with the first shipments landing here. For Land Rover, global demand is at an all-time high for both Defender models, and supply issues are more complex than ever. Granted, this phenomenon is not just affecting Land Rover, it’s affecting most car manufacturers.

I’ve watched with interest the new 90 attracting attention. It’s a sharp-looking vehicle and unique in my view, as a three-door. Limited examples are listing on TradeMe, but these are soon to disappear I’m sure. 

The Land Rover Defender 90 Carpathian.

My favourite is the P400 SE spec, ideally in a dark colour and I’d probably wrap it too. It’s a personal preference but I love the 3-litre mild-hybrid engine. Its got ample power and sounds good in straight-six form. The whine of the electrics sounds futuristic. And I prefer the SE spec over the higher X spec for useability. 

Stay tuned as my interest in the 90 has been climbing to 9/10 level (usually a 9 signifies I might actually buy a car). I’d have to shuffle the garage I think if a 90 was to join and something would have to go, but with limited supply in the country (and a long wait for others to come in) I’d need to act quick.

I rarely order cars, unless it’s something special. And in my history of owning 20+ cars, I’ve only ever ordered 1 from the factory – my 2007 Audi S5 cabriolet that I bought new in Singapore once.

This week has seen the new Land Rover Defender V8 saturating the world motoring press, which will be sold in 110 and 90 forms. Only the 110 models got into motoring journalists’ hands while the 90 has been pictured, but only in release pictures. 

The consensus was unanimous – it’s a special car and the last of its kind. Buying a V8 in 2021 (or 2022 when one will get their hands on one if they order now), doesn’t make sense, unless it’s a unique one. And this one fits the bill for sure. 

The Land Rover Defender 90 V8 version will be a special vehicle.

Personally, I’d go for the Defender 90 as I think the 0-100 time of 4.9 seconds and the shorter wheelbase of the three-door make it special. I’d spec the Carpathian special edition with the extra bling, just because it’s special. I suspect the greatest problem will be demand and supply. The V8s will be sought after and with all-around Defender production halted, while the chip issue resolves, I imagine when it restarts there will be a long queue of normal 110s and 90s waiting to be produced, let alone the V8.

Back to my New Defender. No car in my fleet makes me happier as I move about my daily life in New Zealand. While I am lucky enough to have other choices in my garage costing a lot more, my “007 Defender” is always the first car I choose. 

I use it as it should be; it gets muddy as I don’t think twice about getting the inside or outside dirty. All the controls are easy to use and the Defender’s proportions look sexy. I literally love it!

Stay tuned as Defender mania is increasing and I think New Zealand has a special spot to play in the brand (sub-brands) surging. And I think I may soon help this more with my infatuation! More to come.