LAND ROVER

EXCLUSIVE: new Defender 130 is spotted for the first time, will have eight seats and a powerful 5.0L V8 engine (pictured above)

The Defender's longer body will sit above the 90 and 110 models, offering additional space for up to eight passengers. The teaser photo shows the 4x4 in its natural habitat, in the dunes.

While the sand obscures much of the profile, we can clearly see the extra length of the roof and rear side window. As expected, the Defender 130 shares most of the body panels with the rest of the Defender lineup, although it features an elongated wheelbase and longer rear overhang, as seen in previous spy photos and leaked patent photos.

The vehicle pictured is finished in white combined with silver accents and five-spoke alloy wheels. The SUV is expected to measure 5,100mm in length, 342mm longer than the five-door Defender 110 and an impressive 777mm longer than the three-door Defender 90. Land Rover did not release details, but confirmed that the Defender 130 will have eight seats arranged in a 2-3-3 pattern. We imagine the extra length will result in more legroom in the second and third rows, as well as more cargo space. The engine lineup will likely be the same as the rest of the Defender lineup, including a more powerful Defender V8 with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing 518bhp. and 846 Nm of torque.

The order collection for Defender 130 will open as per the announcement on Tuesday, May 31. This predates the August 2022 release date announced last year by Land Rover CFO Adrian Mardell, although the latter could also refer to the first deliveries of the new model.

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