Details such as the faux treadpattern are now gone, with the bonnet inserts and side vents featuring a more contemporary pattern along with fresh optional 22-inch seven-spoke alloys. Every model also now gets gloss black Defender-branded wheel caps, plus a gloss black grille bar with a dark Land Rover badge.
These changes will be introduced on the entire Defender line-up of three-door 90 and five-door 110 and 130 models, but the new range-topping OCTA super-SUV gets its own special tweaks.
The ferocious 626bhp OCTA now comes with extra unique exterior paints, including Sargasso Blue and Patagonia White, with the latter mated to a matt protective wrap. A new ‘chopped’ carbon-fibre effect on exterior and interior accents can also be added on the OCTA.
While previously entry-level Defenders were fitted with a 10-inch touchscreen, and higher-end X-Dynamic HSE and above versions got an 11.4-inch display, there’s now a new 13.1-inch touchscreen taken from the Range Rover Sport that is said to provide a “fast and intuitive interface”.
We’ve found the screen in the Range Rover Sport to be a huge improvement over the previous unit, thanks to Land Rover’s uprated infotainment system, boasting sharper graphics and quicker responses to inputs.
The interior doesn’t just feature a new screen, however; there’s also a reshaped centre console design, and if you specify the ‘Signature Suite’ upgrade, you’ll get removable side pockets.
Some new technological updates have arrived, too, including the optional adaptive off-road cruise control. This is an evolution of Land Rover’s ‘All Terrain Progress Control’ and should help reduce driver effort while off-roading – particularly in a convoy. A new driver-attention monitor has been added as well to provide audio-visual alerts to ensure drivers remain alert. Land Rover is keen to point out that this can be disabled using the driver-assistance menu.
The company hasn’t mentioned any powertrain changes for the updated Defender, so we can expect the same choice of mild-hybrid 3.0-litre straight-sixes in diesel or petrol form, a supercharged 5.0-litre V8, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid and the breathtaking BMW M-derived 4.4-litre V8 in the OCTA.
Latest Land Rover Defender deals
Now check out for our list of the best 4x4s and off-road cars…
