Land Rover Monthly Winter 2022

DURING a recent meeting of UK Defender owners with factory fitted BMW M52 engines the topic of conversation inevitably turned to fully electric cars. One of the owners is currently having a Volkswagen-approved electric conversion done on his old split screen VW. The conversion is not cheap; in fact you could buy a new Defender for the cost. The reason is not only do they need to use the battery packs and motor from the VW ID.4 but they also need to make changes to the braking and suspension systems. Another Defender 2.8i owner who has had a Porsche from new commented that if an electric conversion was the only way he could keep his Porsche on the road in the future, then he would seriously consider it. Obviously he…

RENOWNED explorer Kingsley Holgate will be putting the new Defender’s technical capabilities through its paces, as he embarks on a year-long transcontinental expedition. The 30,000 km journey will pass through 30 countries, from the southern tip of the African continent to the most northern point of Europe, and then on to the mystical Isle of Anglesey in Wales. Of course, no expedition with Kingsley’s name to it is complete without humanitarian work en route and objectives include eye tests and reading glasses for the elderly in remote areas, the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to mothers and children, the delivery of two million meals to crèches, educational conservation work near elephant and rhino populations, and the supply of water to communities with shortages. The core Holgate team will be using…

The Defender family now features an enhanced engine line-up and standard and optional equipment. More specifically, the 90 Hard Top is additionally available with Land Rover’s Ingenium D250 straight-six diesel engine and in both standard and SE specifications. The SE specification adds significant additional equipment as standard including: premium LED headlights with signature DRL and front fog lights, 20” Style 5094, five-spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver wheels, 12-way heated, electric memory front seats with two-way manual headrests, centre console with armrest, Meridian sound system, and keyless entry and blind spot assist. In addition, a new ‘Resist’ animal-free seating material is introduced replacing grained leather and continues to be available as a no-cost option. Changes to the Defender core range include the introduction of the larger 11.4” infotainment touchscreen. X-Dynamic now features a…

Hitch warning I READ with interest the article in Norfolk Garage of December 2021. The tow hitch pictured was of a type with a limited capacity of, I believe 1.5 ton. When new they were painted orange so users would know not to use them above their rated capacity! The tow ball is the same diameter as the more common 3.5 ton so the unknowing later user could inadvertently hook on a heavier trailer which clearly presents a danger of inadvertent detachment. Examination of the tow hitch clearly indicates it is not strong enough to withstand the greater loads involved. The attraction to the innocent purchaser was that the retail price of that type of hitch was less than half of the Dixon Bate type rated at 3.5 tons! The…

PVC HOOD PRICE: Various CONTACT: Exmoortrim.co.uk Exmoor Trim produce a variety of PVC hoods to fit just about every type of old Defender. Unlike canvas hoods they are easier to maintain and can take punishment from the elements. Plus they have safety and protective features, too. SS EXHAUST PRICE: £818.40 CONTACT: johncraddockltd.co.uk Need a new exhaust system for your Range Rover P38? Get the 4.0/4.6 engine sounding sweet with a twin tailpipe, rear silencers, Y-pipe and centre box. BUMPER PRICE: From £180 to £445 CONTACT: ore4x4.co.uk Ore4x4 now has a series of Defender bumpers made from both mild and stainless steel. All bumpers have been powder-coated and tested to withstand over 100 hours of salt spray. Also available with daytime running lights though this will impact cost, of course. LED…

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