Land Rover Defender 130 is a model created to break the rules and meet all family needs. Even if the requirements include riding with eight people. Defender 130 offers three rows of full-size seats, which makes it an ideal choice for exploring the world together and everyday use in a large group. Its equipment and driving characteristics mean that the model offers maximum comfort in all conditions.

Land Rover Defender 130 is the best in every way

130 is the largest model of the Defender brand. It was introduced to the brand’s offer in mid-2022. Another impressive car in the range, it surpasses the 7-seater 110 in terms of space and luxury also available for passengers in the last row of seats.

The Defender 130 offers enough space in the third row of seats for three adults. The seat is slightly raised above the rest of the cabin. This allows you to keep an eye on what is happening in front of the car while sitting in the back. The high roof line means that there is plenty of headroom. The armrests, padded with fine leather, make driving comfortable and relaxing – nothing like traveling on the extra seats folded in the trunk known from other SUVs. Thanks to the numerous storage compartments and USB-C ports for charging electrical devices, rear passengers can organize their time freely during the journey. The seat in the third row of seats is also heated, which makes driving even in winter as comfortable as possible from the first moment you take your seats.

The body of the Defender 130 has been deliberately extended by 340 mm over the 110 model. This gives this indomitable off-roader more space, while maintaining the legendary off-road qualities of the Defender brand and Land Rover technology. The extra centimeters at the rear of the body affected the value of the maximum angle and descent from steep hills, but thanks to the air suspension that increases the ground clearance – the Defender 130’s descent angle still puts SUVs and many off-road vehicles to shame, amounting to as much as 28.5 degrees.

Huge, luxurious, off-road – three words that best describe the Defender 130

The design of the latest Defender 130 has managed to combine seemingly contradictory characteristics, which translated into an unparalleled family car’s capabilities. The huge, more than 5-meter body, capable of providing space for eight people, is only one of the advantages of this car.

The interior materials of the Defender 130 give it the cozy feel of a luxury family car. Perforated Windsor leather trim complemented by Natural Light Oak wood veneer brings the cockpit much closer to a limousine than a rugged off-roader. Accessory packages allow you to customize its components to the specific needs of different users – so that Defender is the best partner in pursuing individual passions and achieving extraordinary goals for the driver and each of the 7 passengers.

This off-road 4×4 SUV combines off-road styling and functional elements (including powder-coated interior elements and a spare wheel located on the side opening rear door) with the comfort and quality of materials surpassing premium SUVs.

The opportunity to explore the world together is thanks to the steadfast iAWD drivetrain, which excels at optimizing riding efficiency on muddy and rocky trails. It enables instant changes in the torque distribution ratio according to the conditions analyzed with extreme frequency, and this is not the only feature that it outperforms traditional 4×4 permanent drives. The air suspension of the Defender 130 allows for smooth overcoming of uneven surfaces, while offering impeccable comfort when driving on asphalt roads.

This is complemented by elements of equipment that make driving simple and pleasant, regardless of whether the car is currently moving on a mountain path or on the highway. Standard on the 130, the larger 11.4-inch touchscreen provides easy operation of safety and off-road features. The cabin air purification system, on the other hand, takes care of the quality of the atmosphere inside the car so that both exhaust fumes in cities and dust in the wilderness do not interfere with the family pleasure of driving the Defender 130.

Properly strong and majestic

The dot over the “i” is the design of the Defender 130 and the parameters of the 6-cylinder engines available in this model. Thanks to this, the car not only looks impressive, but is also able to provide dynamic driving despite such a massive body.

The vehicle’s appearance is enhanced by extras such as the optional Extended Bright Pack, which includes lower panels finished in Ceres Silver Satin. Details in this color are also placed on the radiator grille and fenders. The whole is complemented by powerful 20-inch alloy wheels in Bright Silver finish.

The choice of power units available in the Defender 130 includes two petrol engines with 300 and 400 hp and two diesel engines developing 250 and 300 hp. Both are state-of-the-art and use hybrid MHEV technology that benefits both performance and ecology. All this makes the Defender 130 ideally suited to both discovering the world and overcoming the everyday challenges of family life.

Exclusive Land Rover Series I built specifically for the British royal family. He served Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip at the Balmoral residence.

In the UK, a rare and unusual 1953 Land Rover Series I was put up for auction by Silverstone. They plan to get 100-150 thousand pounds sterling ($ 123,000 – 184,000) for it. Details of the car were revealed on the official website of the auction house.

Such a high price of Land Rover is due to the fact that the SUV was created specifically for the British royal family. In total, 15 of these exclusive cars were ordered with a slightly modified design and improved interior.

This particular Land Rover is the 11th in the series. Cars were ordered by King George VI, but they were delivered after his death, so they entered the garage of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

Part of the Land Rover Series I was used on the royal couple’s tour of African countries, but this particular car was listed in Balmoral Castle, the residence of British kings.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip used the SUV until 1966 when it was sold to a private individual. Car mileage is 86.2 thousand km.

It should be noted that the classic Land Rovers were among the favorite cars of Elizabeth II. She was often seen driving such SUVs.

Land Rover Series I is equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 52 horsepower. With. and 4-speed manual transmission. Four-wheel drive is supplemented by a reduction gear.

Scottish electric vehicle start-up Munro Vehicles will soon unveil its first production vehicle, the Mk1 electric SUV.

The presentation of the “world’s strongest electric SUV” will take place on December 5 in Edinburgh, and on this occasion the company released a teaser sketch. The modular design of the vehicle will allow it to be customized for specialized applications or commercial use in the most severe operating conditions, with an almost infinite service life.

A company press release says the Mk1 delivers 375 horsepower. With. and 700 Nm of torque, uses an 80 kWh battery, with a claimed range of 270 kilometers. Mk1 supports AC charging up to 22 kW and DC charging up to 100 kW, which means it can be charged from 15 to 80% in 36 minutes. But the main advantage of the Mk1 is its off-road capabilities, which are in demand in the forestry, mining and agricultural industries. It is equipped with an all-wheel drive system with a two-stage transfer case and a locking differential, a ground clearance of 45 cm to the body, and 29 cm to the bottom of the bridge. The depth of the ford to be overcome is one meter.

Munro designed the Mk1 to be an indestructible workhorse, with a towing capacity of 3.5 tons and a payload of up to 1,000 kg. The five-door and five-seat vehicle uses a galvanized steel chassis and aluminum body panels. “We decided from the very beginning not to reinvent the wheel. Simple and easily accessible components minimize manufacturing costs and provide owners with affordable maintenance and repair,” said co-founder Ross Anderson. It is planned that Munro’s main customers will be the oil and gas, mining and forestry industries, as well as the energy sector. Production of the Mk1 will begin in Glasgow later this year, with the first vehicles expected in 2023. The exact prices will be announced at the start of production, but the estimated cost is 98.5 thousand dollars (6.2 million rubles). In the first year, the company expects to sell about fifty SUVs, increasing their number to five hundred in 2024 and two and a half thousand in 2025.

Passenger van gets all-wheel drive and electric version for the first time

Ford introduced the new generation Tourneo Custom passenger van. The model will hit the market next year and will be offered in several wheelbase lengths and with three rows of seats. The range of engines includes a PHEV hybrid unit, EcoBlue diesels in various boost levels and an all-electric system. For the first time, the Tourneo Custom comes with all-wheel drive, an overhead airbag and a wide range of options.

Like the cargo Transit Custom, the passenger Tourneo Custom is built on a new platform with independent rear suspension. The range of engines includes 136, 150 and 170 horsepower EcoBlue diesels, as well as a plug-in hybrid propulsion system. It combines the Atkinson cycle “aspirated” 2.5 with an electric motor and a battery with a capacity of 11.8 kilowatt-hours. Without starting the internal combustion engine, such a van travels 50 kilometers.

For the first time, all-wheel drive appeared on the Tourneo Custom. It can only be ordered for diesel cars (136 or 170 hp) equipped with an eight-band automatic. Junior modifications are offered with a six-speed “mechanics”, and only an optional limited slip differential is available to them, which improves traction on slippery roads and light off-road conditions.

The Tourneo Custom will also have an all-electric version similar to the E-Transit Custom.

The 400-volt battery uses pouch cells from the F-150 Lightning. A total of 74 kilowatt-hours are available, which can be replenished through the on-board unit (11 kW) or the DC terminal (125 kW).

The output of the electric motor on the E-Tourneo Custom is 217 horsepower and 415 Nm of torque. Passport range – 370 kilometers. In theory, an electric car is able to replace a diesel van, however, the mass of a towed trailer is lower: 2,000 kilograms versus 2,500 for fuel vehicles.

The model will be offered in two wheelbase lengths and with three rows of seats. In the E-Tourneo Custom, the cabin is designed for eight people, nine people will fit in the hybrid and diesel vans. The second and third row seats can be removed and moved longitudinally, the sliding doors are powered, and the front passenger airbag has moved from the front panel to the ceiling.

In addition, three-zone climate control, backlighting, a B&O audio system with a subwoofer, and wireless charging are announced. By the time it enters the market, the machines will support digital keys.

For the production of new vans for $ 2 billion, the Ford Otosan plant in Turkey’s Kocaeli was converted. By mid-2023, fuel vans will appear on European roads, but the electric E-Tourneo Custom will have to wait until 2024.

The Range Rover Evoque convertible has long been a memory, but the open-top theme never dies. And recently, Lunaz unveiled a stunning open electric vehicle based on the original Range Rover.

For a customer who will use the car as a shuttle to a marina on Long Island, the Range Rover will be converted into a Safari model, without a roof and with an open passenger compartment. To do this, the company will “significantly strengthen the body and chassis” to ensure the rigidity of the structure of the car without a roof.

While the SUV will largely retain its resemblance to the original, it will feature eight seats thanks to two rows of sofas instead of rear seats. And if we talk about the passenger compartment, then its most important element will be the Mocha walnut flooring, as a tribute to the style of yachting.

However, the passengers in front were not forgotten either. For them, they will create a new center console, with a mini-fridge between the seats, and “wireless charging of smartphones.” The front of the cabin is also trimmed in the same walnut, with “each veneer will be selected in such a way as to preserve the integrity of the wood pattern.”

But in addition to the Safari option, Lunaz also introduced a long-wheelbase Range Rover in an urban configuration. Approximately 80% of the time it will be driven by a driver, and Monaco will be its home base. The SUV features a two-tone design with a coral bodywork that contrasts with the jet-black roof. Inside, multi-colour leather and wool seats are electrically adjustable, with heating, ventilation and massage functions.

Other features include walnut wood trim, heated and cooled cup holders, a refrigerator and a wireless smartphone charger. Rounding out the list is a six-inch infotainment screen and a premium audio system with a 1,300-watt amplifier.

There is no word on how much these creations will cost, but Lunaz notes that the price starts at 281.5 thousand euros. The company hasn’t released detailed specs yet, but the electric Range Rover comes standard with a twin-motor all-wheel drive system that makes about 365 horsepower. With. and 609 Nm of torque. Of course, the price may seem too high, but you need to consider that the upgrade extends not only to the transmission, but also to the suspension, which adds a regenerative braking system.

The next generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will be equipped with hybrid powertrains, and one of them will be a diesel hybrid.

The Japanese edition of BestCarWeb reports that the new generation Prado will appear in mid-2023, that is, fourteen years after the release of the previous one. The old, time-tested 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel will undergo a deep modernization and will additionally receive a lithium-ion battery and two electric motors. A petrol hybrid will also join the lineup, but it’s not yet clear which of Toyota’s powertrains it will be. One option is the 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder engine (218 hp) currently used on the RAV4. It will be a big step up from the current base naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower. s, which is still offered in Japan. Another option could be a new 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid engine, like the new Toyota Crown (US market), with 264 hp. With. and a torque of 450 Nm. BestCarWeb also notes that in certain markets Prado will not abandon naturally aspirated gasoline engines, which, for example, in Japan account for more than half of sales.

Today, there are no frame hybrid SUVs in the Toyota lineup, except for the new Sequoia, equipped with a hybrid twin-turbocharged V6 and developing 437 hp. With. and 790 Nm torque. The company’s statements indicate that this engine will soon appear on the Land Cruiser 300.

The next generation Prado is expected to switch to the new TNGA-F architecture on which the Land Cruiser 300, Tundra and Sequoia are built. It provides greater body rigidity, safety and dynamics. In terms of dimensions, little will change: the length will be 4825 mm, width 1885 mm and height 1850 mm, with a wheelbase of 2790 mm, which is exactly the same as the characteristics of the current generation (only 40 mm lower). As equipment, the latest generation infotainment system is expected, with 9.0- and 12.3-inch touch screens.

The popularity of the Land Cruiser 300 and problems with the supply of components forced the release of the new Prado to be postponed to a later date. Initially, the release of the model was planned by the end of this year. Toyota confirmed last year that hybrid versions of the Land Cruiser 300, Prado and Hilux, will be introduced before 2030. In the meantime, despite its age, the current Prado remains one of the best SUVs in the world, and it looks like this year will retain this title.

As soon as pre-orders for the redesigned Land Cruiser Prado open, we’ll let you know the details. Think you live in the U.S. or the U.K. and will wait for the official start of local sales? Why, when you can buy a Land Cruiser Prado direct from Japan with shipping, and become one of the first owners of an updated Land Cruiser Prado. You can read more about SUV delivery at: www.a1autotransport.com/suv/

Yesterday, Bentley announced that production of the extended-wheelbase Bentayga has begun at Crewe.

It may not make sense to make an already big car even bigger, but long wheelbase cars sell well in China. And we know that Bentley has recently become an extremely popular brand in China. Bentayga EWB produces 550 hp. s and 770 Nm of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in a ridiculous 4.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 290 km/h. At least, these are the figures officially announced at the presentation in Canada.

There, during the presentation in Vancouver, it was repeated more than once that the assembly of the Bentayga EWB requires more than 2,500 new original parts, and that the EWB is the best-selling version, the company’s best-selling car – the Bentayga accounts for 40% of the brand’s sales.

“The new Bentayga, with a longer wheelbase, is the next chapter in the history of a model that, since its introduction in 2015, has completely transformed the premium SUV segment and led to record sales,” said Peter Bosch, head of production at Bentley Motors.

Three years ago, Top Car Design introduced their Mercedes-AMG G63 tuning kit called the Inferno, and now Manhart has taken their carbon fiber body kit and added a number of mechanical improvements to it. This is how the G 800 Inferno came about.

When you think of the G-Class, the first tuner that comes to mind is definitely Brabus. Although a number of companies, including Mansory, showed their varying degrees of original versions of the iconic SUV. Now black and gold Manhart wants to get its share of the pie with the G 800 Inferno, a more powerful version of the 2019 G 700 Inferno.

Top Car’s carbon fiber kit initially includes larger fender flares, more aggressive bumpers, a ventilated hood, roof LEDs, a diffuser and a sports car-style rear wing. Manhart has added its signature set of gold decals, traditionally contrasting with black, and continues this theme in the interior, upholstered in Alcantara and perforated leather.

The tuner has also tweaked AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with new software and “improved turbocharging”, resulting in an impressive 798bhp of power output. With. and a torque of 1,170 Nm. These numbers are significantly different from the standard G63, which is rated at 577 hp. With. and 849 Nm of torque. In addition, there is a new exhaust system made of stainless steel and without catalytic converters.

Manhart hasn’t announced a price for its G63, but has released a number of exterior and interior photos showing the tuned version. Those interested can contact the tuner and order a custom conversion of their SUV, but keep in mind that Mercedes-AMG will soon introduce an updated version of its G-Class, with minor visual and technological changes. So it might not be worth the hassle.

The Renault 4Ever Trophy draws inspiration from the Gallic bestseller

There have been several iconic cars in the history of the French Renault. The delightful 5 and Clio V6 come to mind first, but both pale in comparison to the Renault 4, which has passed the eight million mark in 33 years of production. Today, the automaker is paying homage to its popular machine with the new 4Ever Trophy, an electric concept SUV inspired by the original.

In terms of style, the 4Ever Trophy borrows a lot from its spiritual predecessor. The angular design has been toned down a bit, but the boxy front end, replete with round headlights, has been retained. The branded trapezoidal side windows, above the rear wheels, also remained in their places. By the way, the back of the 4Ever is a bit like a MINI Cooper Countryman.

Although the 4Ever Trophy was created as a look into the past, it looks to the future. Therefore, it is a compact electric SUV. And although electric cars are more popular on city streets, Renault tried to make the 4Ever Trophy a real SUV. Adjusted for time, of course. Massive 255/55 tires sit on fancy rims, and the spare tire rests on a carbon fiber roof. And pay attention to the shovel and sand-trucks.

The bottom of the car is reinforced and protected to ensure complete safety of the battery. Renault did not reveal details regarding mileage or performance, but noted that the show car uses an all-electric powertrain. “In order to bring the 4Ever Trophy into the modern age, we gave it a streamlined shape with technological sophistication. All components have been carefully crafted to ensure that the design resonates with those who are familiar with the old Renault 4 and its glorious history, as well as with the younger generation,” explained Vice President of Design Gilles Vidal.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the 4Ever Trophy was being prepared for production – at least not in this form. However, the road version, based on the concept, should soon get on the conveyor. It will use the CMF-BEV platform, and production will be set up at the company’s technical center in northern France.

One of the many world premieres Doosan will make at Bauma 2022 is the launch of its new 4×4 Articulated Dump Truck (ADT). Adding to the company’s market-leading range of 6×6 ADT models, the new 4×4 version of the ADT DA45-7 is designed to compete with 40-tonne RDTs.

The new ADT DA45-7 4×4 arrives to complement Doosan’s current range of Stage V compatible ADT 6x6s, which includes the DA30-7 and DA45-7 models with payloads of 28 and 41 tonnes respectively.

On the new ADT 4×4, the front unit of the truck and cab is the same as on the original 6×6 model, with modifications only to the rear dump unit. With a ZF EP8-420 transmission, the DA45-7 4×4 is a two-axle ADT with twin wheels at the rear and a tipper section similar to RDTs in the 40-tonne class.

More performance than RDTs in tough conditions

“With superior performance on rough roads, loose surfaces and sloping terrain, the goal of our new 4×4 machine is to compete with the RDTs in the 40-ton class, bringing to market a dump truck that offers so much more than the RDTs.”, says Beka Nemstsveridze, ADT Product Manager at Doosan.

As well as outperforming RDTs in tough conditions, the new 4×4 version of the DA45-7 ADT is less than 4m wide to avoid the need for special transport and offers a better turning radius than an equivalent RDT. A shorter turning radius and the design of the rear discharge unit, more suitable for transporting flat and heavy rocks, bring concrete advantages to the mining and tunneling industry.

The latter are growth markets for ADTs and include pioneering short-term mining projects, quarrying and contract mining industries, especially in southern Africa, the UK and Australia. Contractors in the construction and earthmoving industries working on highways, dams, airports, landfills, and development projects are also heavy users of ADT. Together, these areas make ADT’s market wide and varied, ensuring a large client base.

“The development of our ADT 4×4 has been inspired by the needs of our customers and the new ADT 4×4 can meet the demand of the international market by offering significant competitive advantages to customers with specific requirements. For example, a machine like this could extend the season of a mine that normally has to stop for a certain period due to, for example, the rainy season,” says Beka Nemstsveridze.

The new ADT DA45-7 4×4 has been developed at Doosan’s ADT plant located in Elnesvågen, near the Norwegian city of Molde. In addition to all the above benefits, Doosan’s new ADT 4×4 Stage V provides excellent payload capacity, fuel efficiency, easier controllability and great operator comfort, all coupled with improvements in reliability and durability and reduction of maintenance costs.

Summary of the advantages:

• The ADT 4×4 can climb steeper grades than equivalent RDTs.
• The ADT 4×4 performs better than the RDTs on wet and slippery surfaces.
• In heavy rain conditions, the RDTs may need to stop working; with the Doosan ADT 4×4 you don’t have to.
• Thanks to the short turning radius, the ADT 4×4 works effectively in tight spaces.
• The two-axle ADT 4×4 design causes less ground disturbance than 6×6 configurations.