Land Rover Says ’12 Defender Matches Power, Runs Cleaner Than ’11

Land Rover announces a new 2.2L Euro 5-standard diesel engine will be mounted in its’12 Defender model, saying the smaller-capacity engine delivers the same power, torque and economy as the outgoing 2.4L diesel used in the ’11 edition.

It says the new engine makes the ’12 Defender the cleanest vehicle Land Rover has ever produced.

’12 Land Rover Defender.

The 2.2L diesel was developed through a joint partnership between PSA Peugeot Citroen, Ford and Jaguar Land Rover. Ford owned JLR before it was purchased by India’s Tata, and Ford continues to provide engines to the U.K.-based auto maker.

Land Rover says that in Euro 5 markets, the new engine comes with a diesel particulate filter to ensure the lowest levels of regulated emissions.

A new, full-acoustic engine cover replaces the previous splash cover, reducing radiated engine noise. The engine delivers lower levels of Euro 5-regulated emissions such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, thanks to improved combustion and sophisticated engine-management systems.

Despite the smaller capacity and reduced emissions, the new engine produces the same power –120.6 hp and torque, 266 lb.-ft. (360 Nm), as the outgoing 2.4L engine.

Land Rover says the new engine reaches a top speed of 90 mph (144 km/h) compared with the previous version’s 82 mph (132 km/h). CO2 emissions on the combined cycle are consistent at 266g/km for the Defender 90 model and 295g/km for the 110 and 130 versions.

The GFT MT 82 6-speed gearbox has been retained for ’12 with its favorable ratio spread, high top gear for cruising and enhanced low-speed crawl capability. The lower first gear offers low crawl speed, making towing on-road and off-road easier, Land Rover says.

The low down-engine torque also helps in-gear acceleration, and the tall sixth gear ensures real-world cruising and fuel economy. Ground gears in both the gearbox and transfer box help contribute to the refinement of the transmission, the auto maker says.

Land Rover offers a comfort pack that includes air conditioning, CD player with auxiliary input, electric windows and remote central locking at a cost of $2,685.

An off-road pack with antilock brakes, heavy-duty rims and MT/R tires, tow ball and under-ride protection bar costs $2,441.

Defender's vehicle architecture has been retained for ’12. The chassis frame is available in three different wheelbases.

A total of 14 separate body styles, from pickups and soft-tops to crew cabs and station wagons, are produced on the mainstream production line.

The Defender’s roots go back to 1948. Since the current model's introduction in 2007 it consistently has sold an average of 25,000 units a year worldwide.

Prices for the ’12 Defender will range from $34,174 to $52,136 when the vehicle goes on sale in the U.K. in November.