With its resolutely vintage looks, the Land Rover is so much a part of the automotive landscape that it seems to have always been there. Indeed, the origins of the vehicle go back to 1947 since it was designed hot on the heels of the historic Jeep Willys.
An essential vehicle for off-roading, the Land Rover has proven itself over and over again in all kinds of conditions.
History
The name Defender was first used by Land Rover in 1990, a whole 42 years after the launch of the very first Land Rover. As the range of vehicles produced by the company continued to expand it was clear that the simple 'Land Rover' name couldn't be used for a single model.
In 1990:
This model of the Defender was first introduced in 1984 and it was named the 90 after its 92.7 inch wheelbase, as opposed to the 110 which had a 110 inch wheelbase. It was powered by the 200 TDI engine. Coil-spring suspension also became standard on the 90, replacing the outdated leaf-spring suspension just like on the 110, allowing for a much smoother ride. More modern features were also introduced in the interior. Comfort features such as roll-up windows instead of sliding windows became the norm.
In 1994:
The Defender engine changed and was now powered by the 300 TDI engine - an evolution of its predecessor.
In 1998:
The key element of this model compared to the previous one is the TD5 engine. This 2.5-litre 5-cylinder in-line turbo-diesel equipped with an intercooler introduced a direct injection system and replaced the 300tdi engine.
In 2007:
The 2007 generation Defender 90 set itself apart from its all-terrain roots and marked a foray into the recreational vehicle sector. Land Rover encouraged this trend by making the interiors of its new models more comfortable and providing better trim for its customers, better suited for everyday use. Features like CD players, a new dashboard with more efficient heating, leather interior or alloy rims would have been unnecessary in the past, but as the Defender became increasingly become a car for on-road as opposed to exclusively off-road use, it was the next logical step for Land Rover. The TD5 engine was replaced by a Ford TD4 2.4 litre engine.
In 2012:
The Land Rover Defender received yet another update with the most significant change occurring under the bonnet, where a 2.2-litre version of the Ford diesel engine replaced the previous 2.4-litre version. Coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, the new engine produced 122 horsepower.
In 2016:
The regular Land Rover Defender series is discontinued.
In 2018:
Land Rover released the Defender as a special series called "Works V8" to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the brand and its very first model. It was available as a strictly limited production run of 150 models copies featuring a V8 engine putting out a massive 400 horsepower.
In 2019:
The long-awaited "new Defender is launched. First as a 110 and then a 90 version. Besides its length, the number of doors and interior space, the "new" Defender 90 is almost identical to its big brother, the Defender 110. In other words, it is simply a short-wheelbase Defender. The new Defender no longer uses the ladder frame design of its predecessors but is built on a whole new design and a common platform shared with other modern Land Rovers. Redesigned from the ground up, the old Defender 90 and the new one doesn't have much in common. However, in keeping with the brand image of the original Defender branding, there is still a flat windshield, side-hinged rear door, and a spare wheel that was mounted on the outside, but other than the name, this is where the similarities stop.
Check out our full range of parts and accessories dedicated to this legendary model: Land Rover Defender 110 TD5
Technical details:
Model: Land Rover Defender 110 TD5
ENGINE:
- Diesel 4 stroke, 5 cylinders in-line, longitudinal.
- Bore x Stroke: 84.5 x 89.0 mm. Displacement: 2495 cm3.
- Compression ratio: 19.5.
- Power: 122 horsepower at 4200 rpm.
- Torque: 30.6 mkg at 1950 rpm.
- Power supply: direct injection.
- Supercharging: turbocharger + intercooler.
- Distribution: overhead camshaft.
TRANSMISSION:
- Permanent 4-wheel transmission with 2-speed transfer box.
- 5-speed mechanical gearbox.
- Solid axle front and rear.
STEERING :
- Ball.
BRAKES:
- Hydraulic brake system.
- Discs at the front and rear.
SUSPENSION:
- Coil springs and shock absorbers at the front and rear.
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Weight: 1980 kg.
ARTICLES & TUTORIALS
Check out our selection of articles & tutorials for the Land Rover Defender covering mechanical advice and accessories.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
ENGINE
Find all the parts you'll ever need for your Land Rover Defender TD5:
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All the photos in our articles are taken on authorized roads or tracks, private land, or during supervised competitions. Let's all do our part to preserve the environment!
Please note: Euro4x4parts publishes this information to help its customers, but cannot be held responsible for the advice given here and their consequences when used.