Land Rover has expanded the new-gen
Defender family by introducing the Hard Top light commercial vehicle (LCV). Developed
by the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division, it’s already on sale in the
United Kingdom, in 90 and 110 body styles, starting at £ 35,820 (US$ 46,795) and
£ 43,012 (US$ 56,190) respectively, excluding tax.
Compared to the SUV versions of the 4×4,
the Hard Top, a named first used by the company back in 1950 for the Series 1
model, does not have any second- or third-row seats, but it can be ordered with
optional first-row jump seats, taking up to three occupants in the front. This
opens up a load area of 1,355 liters in the shorter 90 version and
2,059 liters in the longer 110 model.
The storage area has been enhanced with
clever solutions meant to maximize the space on offer. All Hard Tops feature
lockable underfloor storage, lashing points to the load floor and fixed-height
load partition with hooks, in addition to the heavy-duty rubber mats, brighter
loadspace illumination and exterior utility panel that can be personalized.
Powering the new Defender Hard Top is a
series of inline-six diesel engines, such as the D200 in the 90 and the D250
and D300 options in the 110. The latter can also be had with several specification
packs that mimic those in the S, SE and HSE Defenders, as well as several
suspension options on top of the passive coil suspension that’s standard in the
90 and 110 Hard Tops.
The light commercial vehicle 4×4 has a
291-mm ground clearance, up to 900 mm of wading depth and
approach, departure and breakover angles of 38, 40 and 28 degrees,
respectively, in the longer model.
