Land Rover Defender. That's insane!

Next year, the legendary Land Rover Defender will turn 60. There is talk that the British will prepare a special series with particularly rich equipment for the anniversary. We'll see. For now, let's get acquainted with the 2007 model.

Brutal. That word is everywhere now. Saw an accident — "brutal." Someone got their face beaten — again "brutal." A concert at the stadium — "brutal" again. Even sports, which supposedly stand for peace, have, according to one politician, become brutal. But in youth slang, brutal is anything that evokes powerful, tough emotions. Perhaps that's why, after climbing out of a Defender covered in mud up to the roof, I exhaled and said to myself: brutal!

Yes, against the backdrop of other conquerors of off-road terrain, this machine stands apart. It's a classic of the global auto industry, or rather, of off-road craftsmanship. This is what a car should be whose task is not to show off on asphalt with a dubious off-road essence, but to quietly, without unnecessary pomp, pave the way somewhere in the swamps near Khanty-Mansiysk. It looks clumsy, the interior is uncomfortable and far from cozy. Driving it on regular roads is hard due to the peculiar suspension. But it will go where ninety percent of so-called SUVs would be afraid to even venture.

By the way, about percentages: about 80% of all Defenders ever produced are still on the road and faithfully doing their job. And the 20% that didn't make it into the statistics simply didn't return from the battlefields. That's why this car is so valued by both the military and true fans of "proper" off-roaders. There's practically no secondary market for these cars here — Defenders are only traded among their own kind.

However, the new generation has become noticeably friendlier to both the driver and passengers. The interior has been completely redesigned, and compared to the previous model, it's a real leap forward.

The new dashboard looks much more modern. It's not just that it stylistically echoes the panel of the "third" Discovery. It has become more intuitive, and therefore more ergonomic. The instruments are easy to read, the buttons are at hand, and the icons are clear. Although, to be honest, not all controls are convenient. First and foremost, the toggle switch for the parking and low-beam lights. A newcomer behind the wheel of this SUV will find it hard to locate. It's clear that this placement is a tribute to tradition, but if it were on the panel itself, the sense of cohesive design would be more complete. As it is, finding it blindly on the left side of the steering column is a bit tricky.

After all, in Solihull, they managed to abandon the direct-flow air intakes on the front panel, which were also part of Defender's history for many years. And they did the right thing. Now the car has a full heating and air conditioning system with a powerful fan that quickly fills the cabin with warmth or coolness.

But the main difference between the current Defender 90 and the previous one is that the second row of seats has become fully functional. No longer do you need to stare into your passenger's eyes during the trip. The side benches have been replaced by two fairly comfortable seats with three-point belts, which are now correctly oriented. If the seats aren't needed, they easily fold along the sides, freeing up space for bulky cargo. How bulky depends on the rear door opening. And it, alas, is not large. As are the openings of the main doors. Getting behind the wheel, as before, requires literally squeezing in. But it's one thing when the car is clean, and quite another when mud is dripping from the roof. It's impossible not to get dirty.

When will this city end? My left foot starts to ache unaccustomedly — keeping it constantly hovering over the clutch is unbearable. But what else can I do? Frequent gear changes don't allow me to rest my heel and move it slightly left — there's a wall. Put it on the floor? That's an unaffordable luxury; you lose time on shifts. And you need to react quickly. But here's the last traffic light. One more press, sixth gear — I can exhale. The Ford turbodiesel confidently pulls the Defender toward off-road adventures. The engine is audible, but it doesn't dominate, allowing conversation without raising your voice much. I recall the old Defender left far less pleasant impressions on the highway. This one goes confidently, even assertively. The engine from the commercial lineup with excellent low-end torque and a wild service life not only fits perfectly under the hood but also gives the car good dynamics needed on the highway.

But the engine truly shines off-road. This is facilitated by the new six-speed gearbox, which has significantly expanded the car's capabilities. Now the Defender can crawl in first gear almost at idle. There's no sense of power shortage at all. And if you engage low range... Well, we only resorted to that once. A huge puddle with sour-cream-like mud blocking the path initially seemed impassable. There was no way around it: the Defender flatly refused to climb out of the deep rut.

Fifteen minutes of deliberation, realizing that the road only goes forward — and we decided to storm it. Disappointment — that's what awaited us on the other side. No engine roar, no mud flying in all directions. Nothing. The Defender crossed the puddle as if it were a puddle in front of a supermarket. Banally simple. However, we compensated for the lack of emotion later, when we finally believed: nothing is impossible for this machine.

And even if my left foot cramped up at night after the test. Even if my elbow, knocked against the window, hurts — there's nowhere to put your left hand, just like in the previous model, except maybe out the open window. Even if my colleague complains that on another bump he nearly hit his head on the ceiling — he should have buckled up. Even if mud drips not only from the car but also from the engine — it still works. Even if my wife grumbles that I got my new jacket so dirty it looks like it was dragged on the floor. So what? These are trifles that can't overshadow the amount of positive emotions from real, sometimes tough driving in all directions. In short, brutal!

Driving
Compared to its predecessor, the car's behavior hasn't changed much, but stability has increased.

Interior
It hasn't become more spacious, but thanks to the properly positioned second row, it's become more comfortable.

Comfort
As before, the main drawback is the extremely leftward placement of the clutch pedal.

Safety
There's ABS and traction control, but airbags are not available in any trim.

Price
Somewhat overpriced. Although...

Strengths and weaknesses
+ Off-road capabilities are top-notch, the engine is tenacious and flexible, acceleration pleases. On the highway, the car holds its line confidently.
— The clutch pedal is inconveniently positioned. The price could be lower.

Verdict

The Land Rover Defender is a car with a strictly defined range of tasks, and therefore it was never intended for the mass buyer. But after the new version appeared, it's clear: the number of those wanting to put it in their garage has noticeably increased. Sales speak volumes — dealers have already sold out quotas three months in advance, and the situation is unlikely to change soon.