Land Rover’s Defender is the iconic off-road vehicle. It has no pretensions for comfort, just the image of rugged off-road ability, durability and strength. Michael Moroney has taken a test drive in the new upgraded Defender, which gets more engine power and a hint of extra comfort.

The shape and design of the Land Rover Defender has been retained because it’s instantly recognisable as a serious off-road vehicle. And Land Rover does not want the Defender mistaken for anything other than the solid off-road performer that it is. That image is too important to the Land Rover heritage.

Nowadays off-road drivers are looking for a bit more comfort and power when on the road, while retaining the off-road ability. That was the challenge facing the designers of the new Defender - change a little, retain a lot.

The big change is to the engine and gearbox. Land Rover is now using a Ford developed 2.4-litre, turbo-diesel engine linked to a six-speed gearbox. Land Rover claims that this new engine, which is marginally smaller in actual cc, is a major step forward in terms of refinement and driveability.

The torque output, so important when off-road driving, is higher than the outgoing engine right across the usable rev range. The top engine torque of 360 Nm is delivered at only 2,000 rpm, while over 315 Nm of torque is available from 1,500 rpm to 2,700 rpm. This is a slightly higher torque output at lower revs than the previous model. That should ensure good low revs pulling power if the going gets rough and that’s the way Land Rover drivers like it!

This new engine is designed to be fully compliant with EU4 emissions legislation. Defender drivers are often people to like to challenge the elements and with Defender’s status as a global product, a unique engine tune has also been developed to tolerate variable quality, high-sulphur fuels that are found in some markets.

This common rail engine is slightly smoother than the previous one and has better noise dampening. The actual engine combustion noise has been reduced by the use solenoid-driven fuel injectors. Land Rover is fitting a new Garrett variable geometry turbocharger with the aim of getting improved throttle response over the outgoing engine. And the engine’s lubrication and sealing systems have been improved, according to the company, which should help with the reliability ratings.