2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Debuts With Stretched Body, Eight Seats

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 has just made its debut, and it serves as an answer to those who want a Defender that can shuttle eight people in comfort.

And that’s pretty much what the Defender 130 is. Compared to the Defender 110, the 130 is significantly longer by 340 mm. All of this length was added behind the rear axle because the wheelbase of the 110 and 130 remain the same. This is purely in the name of giving the Defender 130 a proper third row where three adults can actually fit, unlike the optional third row of the 110 whose space is more akin to a torture chamber rather than a palace. Thanks to this SUV’s boxy shape, the added length does not seem like an afterthought to its design. It still look well-proportioned next to its shorter 110 and 90 siblings.

Just like the exterior, the interior design of the Land Rover Defender 130 is practically the same as the 90 and 110. The only difference, of course, is the addition of proper third-row seating for three adults. There’s so much space there, as a matter of fact, that it was enough for Land Rover to give the third-row occupants their own sunroof. Some of its standard features include an 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, digital gauges, air suspension, just to name a few.

Various engine choices are offered for the Land Rover Defender 130, ranging from gasoline, diesel, and even ones with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid degrees of electrification. If the Defender 130 will be launched in the Philippines, it will most likely come with the D300 3.0-liter straight-six turbo diesel that produces 295 hp and 650 Nm of torque, and this is mated to an eight-speed automatic.

Its off-roading capability has always been a hallmark of the Defender, and despite being the longest member of the Defender family, its capability remains almost unchanged. Approach and break-over angles remain the same, but because all of the 130’s added length was implemented at its rear axle, its departure angle suffers. Though at 28.5 degrees, it’s still very impressive for a long SUV. Wading depth still remains at an impressive 900 mm.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is now available for pre-order in global markets, while a Philippine launch is still unknown at this point.