Land Rover Defender P400e: 4x4 gains new 398bhp PHEV

Defender diesel engine line-up gains mild hybrid upgrade

Alongside the plug-in hybrid, Land Rover has updated a new six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine to the Defender line-up. Using mild-hybrid technology to increase efficiency, it will be offered in three outputs, starting with the D200 (197bhp and 369lb ft) and the D250 (245bhp and 420lb ft), replacing the D200 and D240 previously featured in the range. Land Rover says both units achieve 32.3mpg, with CO2 emissions as low as 230g/km. On the Defender 110, the D200 achieves 0-60mph in 9.5 seconds, with the D250 cutting that to 7.9secs.

The new D300 variant will sit atop the Defender's diesel engine line-up, producing 296bhp and 479lb ft of torque, with a 0-60mph time of 6.3sec on the Defender 90.

The new four-wheel drive diesel features a new intelligent driveline system that varies torque to the axles based on driver input and data gathered about the vehicle's surroundings from sensors located on the car. Land Rover claims it can optimise the power delivery for traction and efficiency, and improves both fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Defender 90 goes on sale

The short-wheelbase three-door Defender 90 has now gone on sale, following a coronavirus lockdown-related delay.

It will be offered with the same mild hybrid petrol and Diesel engines offered in the larger 110, with the P300 and P400 petrol units joined by the D200, D250 and D300 diesel units.As with the 110, all the Defender 90 models use an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Petrol versions feature all-wheel-drive, while the Ingenium diesels use the new intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

The 90 features the same approach and departure angles as the 110, and Land Rover claims improved breakover geometry when fitted with the option electronic air suspension. The smaller machine also benefits from a turning circle of 11.3 metres.

Land Rover says that the Defender 90 range will start from £43,625 in the UK, compared to the £45,315 for the 110.