ADVERTISING
Land Rover Defender 110 3.0 D300 75th Limited Edition
ADVERTISEMENT – The Land Rover Defender is a legend. Since its introduction in 1948, it has established itself as an indestructible off-road vehicle, equally popular with adventurers, farmers, and explorers. With the 75th Limited Edition of the Defender 110 3.0 D300, Land Rover celebrates the legacy of this classic – combining modern technology with nostalgic design. We put the off-roader through its paces at the Land Rover Experience grounds in Wülfrath to find out if it can still live up to its legendary status.
Design and features
When we picked up our Land Rover from the HEDTKE dealership, the striking paintwork and decals of this special edition immediately caught our eye: Designed by Mandisa Gordon to commemorate Black History Month, the design combines distinctive elements of African art and culture: Ghanaian Kente fabric patterns with unique meanings, Nigerian Benin masks of Queen Mother Idia, and a Kenyan Maasai shield with spears. It's a tribute to the impressive African and African-Caribbean women who work at JLR. Michael Hedtke, Managing Partner of the eponymous dealership, saw the design and was so impressed that he asked Mandisa Gordon if he could use it as well. She agreed, and we knew immediately: this is a real head-turner.
Interior and workmanship
Inside, the interior exudes luxury: High-quality materials like grained leather and brushed aluminum meet modern technologies such as the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen. The Defender also impresses with a multitude of practical features: Heated and electrically adjustable seats, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a powerful Meridian sound system ensure comfort. The special edition also comes with extensive standard equipment, including the Terrain Response 2 system and air suspension, which allow the Defender to handle any terrain with ease. We were able to experience this firsthand on the drive to Wülfrath, a good 250 kilometers away. On the road, the off-roader surprised us with its comfortable ride and remarkable smoothness. It almost felt like traveling in a rolling living room.
Engine and driving performance
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter diesel engine producing 300 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm. Land Rover engineers have equipped the inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, which improves both efficiency and performance. Despite its substantial size, the Defender accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 7.4 seconds.
Land Rover Experience – Defender Feeling at its best
We were quite surprised when we arrived at the 15-hectare test track near Wülfrath. The initial impression is unassuming, but the location offers all sorts of challenges to put the Defender and its drivers to the test. The course includes inclines and declines of up to 70 percent, rocky sections strewn with boulders weighing hundreds of pounds, potholes, quicksand, and tree trunks. Even 45-degree inclines must be negotiated. Here, the Defender's full technical capabilities are demanded, and drivers are trained to handle such obstacles. It's impossible to capture all the impressions of this experience in this article, as it truly is an experience in itself. Off-road, it demonstrates why the Defender has been synonymous with robustness for decades. With a ground clearance of 291 millimeters, a wading depth of up to 900 millimeters, and numerous off-road features, it effortlessly overcomes all the obstacles that would impede other vehicles.
Consumption and sustainability
With an average fuel consumption of 8.8 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, the Defender is quite efficient for its class. However, those who frequently drive off-road should expect somewhat higher consumption. In our test – including off-road courses and high-speed highway driving – we achieved an average consumption of 10.5 liters per 100 kilometers. Considering the vehicle's weight and performance, this is a respectable figure.
Price and availability
Exclusivity comes at a price. For our test vehicle, this price is €92,990. While ambitious given the high-quality workmanship and extensive features, this is not surprising. HEDTKE Automobile offers an attractive alternative: for example, a Defender 110 D200 S is available for €469 per month, along with a good financing offer with a special interest rate of 2.99 percent. This should not only appeal to die-hard fans but also attract new customers to the model.
The Land Rover Experience Center
The Land Rover Experience Center is aimed at adventure and off-road enthusiasts who want to test their driving skills in challenging terrain. Companies also use the grounds for team-building events, while families and individuals enjoy it as a unique leisure activity. Drivers of all experience levels – from beginners to professionals – participate in the training courses and tours to experience the vehicles' off-road capabilities firsthand in demanding conditions.
Jaguar Land Rover and HEDTKE Automobiles
Jaguar Land Rover has been represented at the HEDTKE dealership since autumn 2011. Jaguar is currently undergoing a transformation process and is being repositioned in the market with a new sales concept. Therefore, all sales partnerships have been terminated. HEDTKE remains a Jaguar service partner. Land Rover is also pursuing a new brand strategy with its House of Brands. The Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery model lines are being positioned more strongly as independent brands within the group. The aim of this strategy is to sharpen brand identity and address different customer groups more effectively.
HEDTKE Automobile is expecting a very special new addition to its showroom at the end of May: the Defender 110 OCTA – the most powerful Defender to date. This model impresses with a highly developed 6D Dynamics chassis, which, through special pitch and roll control of the body, guarantees maximum comfort and superior driving characteristics on any surface.
Hedtke
Car Dealership Rudolf-Diesel-Str. 42-46, 64331 Weiterstadt, Germany,
www.hedtke.de
