Filipinos love tough-looking SUVs and in the subject of these hulking machines, the Defender nameplate is one of the most prominent with its deep heritage and history.
To further boost its presence in the country, All British Cars Inc., the sole importer and distributor of Land Rover in the Philippines, launches the Defender 130. The launch of the three-row, eight-seater SUV also marks a sales milestone for the brand; it’s the 400th Defender sold on Philippine shores. The first batch of Defender 130 was handed over to their owners this December.
Visually, the Defender 130 doesn’t veer too far from the 90 and 110 except for its overall length. It borrows the design of the original Defender, reinterpreted for modern times.
As it’s the longest, the Defender 130 is 340mm longer than the 110 to provide ample interior space for all three rows. The extension is found mostly on the rear overhang, which comes in a boat-tail design with a departure angle of 28.5 degrees. LED lighting elements are standard, as expected from a luxurious vehicle.
Available in various colors, the Defender 130 is the only one in the lineup that’s available in Sedona Red color, marking its exclusivity.
With the extended body comes more-than-enough space for adults on all three rows. Land Rover touts this as the ultimate combination of space and capability, with the boxy body providing generous headroom even for third-row passengers.
The Defender 130’s cabin is available in enhanced color and material options for customers. Amenities include heated seats, padded armrests, thoughtful storage, and USB-C provision to charge devices on the move. Carpets are also fitted throughout to suit the 130’s unique character. Also exclusive to the 130 is the Four Zone Climate Control, maximized through ventilation for each of the three rows. The third row also comes with its own sunroof so customers won’t miss out on the “open-air” experience.
Up front, Defender 130 features a larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen as standard, which also comes with Software Over The Air capability.
Despite having the capability to ferry eight people, the Defender 130 doesn’t forego its off-roading prowess, fronted by its Electronic Air Suspension with Adaptive Dynamics and Land Rover’s advanced Terrain Response system for all-terrain capability. The Electronic Air Suspension system allows for up to 430mm of articulation, with 71.5mm of additional lift at the front (73.5mm at the rear) in off-road height to clear obstacles and assist when wading, Of note, the Defender 130 can wade up to 900mm of water. Combined with the Defender’s torsional rigidity of 25kNm/Degree, twin-speed transfer box, and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, Land Rover ensures maximum off-road capabilities that can take eight people anywhere.
The Land Rover Defender 130 is powered by a D300 six-cylinder diesel engine. The SRP is P12,190,000 for models equipped with a Bespoke accessory pack, which includes fixed side steps, deep-sided rubber mats, and load space rubber mats.
