The 2012 Land Rover Defender XTech. In the United States, we can’t get our hands on these and that’s a tragedy. In my opinion it’s one of the best designed off-roader / SUVs ever and now there’s an XTech version which is much more rugged and has a new engine. I’m not sure if I like the original or the XTech version more, but it definitely brought me around to posting about the Defender.
The thing that I truly admire about the design of this car, it’s simple and done right. There’s no weird pattern in the seats, the instrument panels are symmetrical and the exterior colorways are that of a machine. Sure there are a lot of technological enhancements and the glaring safety features missing. No airbags keep it from coming stateside. However, it has a timeless appeal to it. Of course, it’s diesel and weighs A LOT and with what we’re all paying for gas right now it’s not really an option. However, I’d ride my bike to the studio during the week and take this out on the weekends to offset my carbon footprint.
Almost makes me forget how much I want a Mercedes G500.
You have to be joking?
How could you even think you could off-set the energy, natural resources and emissions caused by the production of such a vehicle (or any vehicle for that matter)?
How vein are you?
I am very veiny, that is how my blood circulates. 🙂 I guess you meant vain.
Rueben, I am not sure to which you refer – the Land Rover or the comment about the G-class. The truth is the Land Rover is sold with a small (2.2 litre) turbo-diesel which is quite a “clean” engine (Combined COâ‚‚ emissions (g/km) 266), much better than most US cars. Even the G-class is sold with a reasonable turbo-diesel, but I do agree that the only people buying those massive AMG G500’s are Russian gangsters, American rappers and spoilt Middle Eastern kids – so there I do have to agree with your sentiments. However, choice is choice, we can only shake our heads.
Vain indeed.
You have to realise the production of the vehicle is the big killer in terms of carbon foot-print, not just mileage. Off-setting by cycling to your studio? That’s about as useful as comparing it to low efficiency American vehicles to convince yourself it’s not excessive.
I guess if one is at the point in their life where they are in desperate need of a 4×4 for weekend use, they’re doing better with a new Defender than a new Hummer.
Do the world a favour and buy an old Jeep!
ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE !!
either this machine or an F650 with a .50 cal machine gun….either way I’m LIVING.
honestly it does look like a car out of the movie Children Of Men.
… or even just pick up an old Defender that look very very similar but with an interior that suits the vehicle. There are plenty, they’ve been making then from ’48 and the British army have been buying them for nearly as long with lots of ex army stock in auctions.
This is one of the few occasions where I don’t see the point of the re-model; its like a bland cover of a song, but by the original artist.
Great car for the desert.
Is this an advertisement for Land Rover’s gas-guzzling, polluting, expensive, and unreliable vehicles? I sure hope not. But I have to say – this sure sounds like an advertisement.
The defender has always been my dream machine… right after a 911 Targa.
If you like those Land Rovers, you should check out what Icon Motors has been up to in LA.
Yes the production of the automobile is where the majority of the environmental footprint is made, and buying used is always better, but the small diesel and minimalist approach to this vehicle do not make it as unfriendly to manufacture as others (i.e. the Prius, or any other hybrid).
Also, there are very few people who actually NEED a Defender (or any SUV for that matter). These have sadly become vehicles of status, and Land Rover is happy to oblige in your obsession: a Black roof does not not make an excellent vehicle make. It should be body color or even white to reduce heat. Those beautiful alloys are probably best swapped for steel wheels that can be dinged and dented and not crack or lose tire pressure while off road.
Nevertheless, it’s beautiful, and I hope someone buys it, so I can import to the US in 25 years.
the rear quarter panel behind the door looks beat to shit (3rd pic) tssk tssk photographer. The car looks freaking awesome, I remember when I lived in Europe they had all kinds of cool cars we never got.
@Murdermitten Saying that very few people need an SUV is false. Maybe a single person doesn’t need an SUV, but you try taking a family trip (or anything that requires you to take things with you including people) in a sedan. That statement is just false.
I don’t understand why there is so much complaining and trying to be so green. No car is good for the environment (if you say the Prius, you’re an idiot, go research nickel mining), so that is irrelevant. And yes, he could cut down his carbon footprint by biking to work (biking 5 days, driving 2 or 3 vs. driving 7 days). Regardless of his (wishful) purchase, it is still being made. It is not always better to by used. Some of those cars have no new technology that extremely minimizes their GHG output. Someone will be driving the car if no him. I’d rather him drive a new one than have him drive an old one spit tons of emissions. Also, if he biked, it’s probably better than the guy who 4×4’s it on the weekend then drives his 10mpg Audi R8 to work every day.
Anyway, it looks like a badass SUV. Looks great, that small turbo-diesel would kick my cars ass up and down the street, and it’s probably incredibly comfortable. I’d look into it if I had a suitcase of money to spend.
@Swade-
I agree with 99% of what you said, but it’s still a hard sell that SUVs are great family vehicles. Granted some can hold tons of stuff, but unless you plan on offroading to your destination any minivan or Subaru Forester could probably do it more efficiently.
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