Off road, the domain it has ruled for nearly 60 years, the Defender is now more mind-meltingly able than ever. This is a car that will tackle a 45-degree slope going forwards or backwards. It will wade through water half a metre deep without modification and traverse a 35-degree hill. Its approach and departure angles are both an astounding 47 degrees. A Jeep Wrangler, perhaps its closest conceptual rival, offers just 38 and 32 degrees respectively. These extraordinary stats combine with its huge ground clearance and compact wheelbase to give rock-hopping qualities most alleged off-roaders simply couldn’t imagine. Low range, unswitchable traction control (optional with ABS) and differential locks complete the picture.
The brake specification is one of the areas where the Defender has changed not at all. There are discs all round, with ventilation for those up front, and they offer good feel and reasonable, fade-free retardation.
You don’t get much in the way of luxuries for your £26,220. It’s one of the last cars in the land whose exterior mirrors can only be moved by physically grappling with them, while the rear windows don’t even have winders – they simply slide. Electric front windows and central locking are standard, but if you want air conditioning, alloy wheels, heated seats or even ABS, you’ll need this top-spec model. There’s little stowage space on board, either. There’s nothing in the back, only a grab handle where the glovebox should be, and a lidded bin between the front seats – and even that is optional. Airbags are non-existent.
Then again, think of another car with a rear external power take-off, allowing you to take the car anywhere and use it as a mobile generator.