Autoblog

The Land Rover Defender is already a pretty badass vehicle. So how do you make a no-frills, no-nonsense off-roader even more badass? Why, add more wheels, of course! That's the approach taken by Land Rover Malaysia and Sasbilt Technologies Malaysia, which together built the behemoth you see above. While we've seen more than our fair share of stretched Range Rovers and Hummers, this concept truck actually has a purpose beyond prom night.

Targeted towards military applications, the Defender 6x4 Puma features an extra-long wheelbase that not even the jungle camo could disguise. The increased cargo capacity can be used for an electric generator or field telecommunications equipment, and the vehicle can drive through all six wheels or through just four. Unveiled at the Defense Services Asia 2008 show in Malaysia, the concept truck reportedly drew attention from military contractors from around the region.

[Source: paultan.org]

Click above for 28 new hi-res photos of the Defender SVX

Companies can crow about the ability of their SUVs, but for a great number of people, the land Rover Defender is the epitome of the SUV concept. As iconic as the original Jeep, the Defender does its thing, and does it better than just about any other vehicle in its class. Wagon or convertible, new or old, the Defender will happily wade into whatever slop its driver points it at and come out the other side no worse for wear. As we reported late last year, Land Rover is building a limited run of 1,800 Defender SVX models to celebrate the marque's 60th anniversary. The SVX kit dresses up the Landie with flashier trim on the grille, side steps and roll cage; a swankier set of wheels; special badging and decals; plus interior appointments including Recaros, a Garmin GPS, and that all-important iPod hookup. Glitzing up a Defender seems akin to a mud wrestler putting on Harry Winston jewelery before heading into battle, but at the end of the day, at least you know it'll clean up nice.


[Source: Land Rover via The Land Rover Chronicles]

Click image to enlarge

Land Rover is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a UK-only special edition Defender 90 they're calling the SVX. (No, it doesn't look like a Subaru.) The SVX is a 200-vehicle limited edition (140 convertibles, 60 hardtops) that also happens to be the swankiest version of the short-wheelbase Defender yet. As evidence of this, note the bright metallic grille surround, clear lamps, silver roll cage and spiffy wheels. Inside, Recaros, an upgraded stereo (iPod cradle, subwoofer, etc.), Garmin navi, and alloy shift knobs continue the glitzification. Not to worry, though. Just because this Defender's been to the haberdashery for some new duds and accessories doesn't mean it's any less capable. Like its more casually-attired kin, if the going gets rough (literally), it's good to go.

[Source: Land Rover]

After being questioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ford has agreed to stop all Land Rover sales in Sudan. The SEC was checking into reports from the chaotic nation that the janjaweed militia and Sudanese military were able to obtain Land Rover Defenders which they then equipped with machine guns.

The U.S. currently has a strict embargo against Sudan, and forbids the export of U.S. goods to the African nation except for humantarian purposes. Ford CEO Don Leclair said in a response to the SEC, "... the bulk of the small sales volume in Sudan had been directed to the Ministry of the Interior for humanitarian purposes and that other governmental sales had been largely for agricultural development purposes."

Ford has done the right thing here. Their actions probably won't reduce the bloodshed in Sudan, but hopefully the militias will be forced to get their vehicles through more resource-consuming routes.

[Source: AP via Brisbane Times]

The Land Rover Defender is the longest surviving SUV, and it soldiers on for 2007 with some important enhancements to its interior and powertrain. First off, the Defender still looks the same way it always has, which is to say utilitarian and square. The only exterior change is to the hood, which receives a new profile to fit around the Defender's new 2.4-liter four-cylinder CRD diesel engine. The new motor puts out 120 hp and 265 ft-lbs. of torque, and a new six-speed gearbox with a lower first gear and higher sixth gear improve responsiveness while rock crawling and highway cruising, respectively. The Defender's dash has also been completely redone and features bits and pieces from the LR3, a more powerful HVAC system and an improved stereo system with AUX-IN jacks and high-mounted tweeters. Seats have also been upgraded and for the first time the station wagon model can be ordered with a third row of seating.

Tons more pics of the 2007 Land Rover Defender and an official press release with more details can be found after the jump.

[Source: Land Rover]

That stalwart icon of Land Rover all-terrain capability, the Defender, will be with us at least until 2010. What Car? reports that the legendary 4x4 is slated to receive major updates starting next spring that could carry the boxy off-roader well into the next decade.

Although Land Rover is working to extend the Defender's lifespan as far as possible, it seems likely that it will eventually be replaced by a more pavement-friendly model.

Elsewhere in the Land Rover product line, the new version of its entry-level Freelander will debut at the British Motor Show this summer, and What Car? says an even smaller SUV is rumored, based on Ford's upcoming Focus 4x4.

[Source: What Car?, Land Rover]