Love the reinvented Land Rover Defender but need 8 seats? Well, you’re in luck. The largerDefender 130 isheaded to South Africa and pricing for the newcomer has been confirmed!

Land Rover has finally fully revealed its new Defender 130, a 3-row version of the reinvented off-roader boasting up to 8 “full-size” seats. The newcomer is scheduled to arrive in South Africa towards the end of 2022, with local pricing set to be announced closer to launch.

Slotting in above the Defender 90 and Defender 110, the new 130 is easily the longest model in the line-up, measuring a whopping 5 358 mm from nose to tail. Interestingly, the extra 340 mm of length comes in the form of an extended rear overhang, with the 3 022 mm wheelbase matching that of the 110.

The Whitley-based firm says a subtle “boat tail-style uplift” at the rear maximises the Defender 130’s all-terrain ability, providing a departure angle of 28.5 degrees, while not impeding on interior space. In fact, the company claims the third row provides “comfortable seating for three adults”.

The second row of seats slides and folds forwards to provide access to the rearmost perches. With all pews in place, Land Rover claims a luggage capacity of 389 litres, which expands to 2 291 litres with the second and third rows folded down. The Defender 130 will actually be available in both 5- and 8-seater guise, with the former boasting an even higher utility capacity of 2 516 litres.

Equipment available for the third row includes heated seats, padded armrests, useful storage solutions and USB-C provision to charge devices. A panoramic glass sunroof ships standard, complemented by a second sunroof above the final row. A new four-zone climate control system is optional.

What else makes a Land Rover Defender 130?

The Defender 130 boasts a few exclusive paint colours, along with the option of an Extended Bright Pack, which adds exterior design elements in a Ceres Silver Satin finish around all lower body cladding, as well as front and rear skid plates in Noble Chrome.

New colour and material options are available in the cabin as well, along with a new, larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen, standard air suspension and an uprated cabin air purification arrangement.

Engine options for international marketinclude the familiar P300 and P400 mild-hybrid 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol systems, as well as the D250 and D300 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel powertrains (so, no V8, for the time being, at least). The 294 kW/550 Nm P400 will hit 100 kph in a claimed 6.6 seconds, while the 221 kW/650 Nm D300 will reach the same mark in a claimed 7.5 seconds. Both the P400 and D300 have been confirmed for South Africa.

Land Rover has furthermore announced the Defender 130 will be available in South Africa in X-Dynamic HSE and X specifications, as well as in First Edition guise. The latter will be available in three combinations, each featuring a distinct colour (Fuji White, Sedona Red and Carpathian Grey) and design theme.

The First Edition model builds on the HSE specification with an extensive equipment list that includes Matrix LED headlamps, heated second and third-row seating, the aforementioned four-zone climate control, a Meridian sound system, the driver assist pack and privacy glass. All feature 20-inch alloy wheels as standard.

“New Defender 130 brings a new dimension of capability to our most durable and rugged family of vehicles. Its spacious interior welcomes and transports up to eight people in supreme comfort, enabling unparalleled sophisticated adventuring opportunities for families, with unique design signatures to create a distinct New Defender experience,” said Nick Collins, Executive Director for Vehicle Programmes at Land Rover.

South African Engines Confirmed

According to the Land Rover South Africa configurator, we’ll be getting the Defender 130 with a choice of two engines: D300 and P400. The D300 is a 3.0-litre diesel 6-cylinder developing 221 kW and 650 Nm, while the petrol-powered P400 is a 3.0-litre petrol 6-cylinder packing 294 kW and 550 Nm. All models sold in SA will be automatic.

How much does the Land Rover Defender 130 cost in South Africa?

Defender 130 D300 AWD X-Dynamic HSE R1 731 600

Defender 130 D300 AWD First Edition R1 736 000

Defender 130 D300 AWD X R1 902 100

Defender 130 P400 AWD X-Dynamic HSE R1 773 100

Defender 130 P400 AWD First Edition R1 777 500

Defender 130 P400 AWD X R1 948 700