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Land Rover Defender 90 3.5 V8 (134 Hp)
Overall Rating
Land Rover Defender:
The Land Rover Defender is a series of British off-road cars and pickup trucks. They have four-wheel drive, and were developed in the 1980s from the Land Rover series which was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948. Following the 1989 introduction of the Land Rover Discovery, "Land Rover" became the name of a broader marque, no longer the name of a specific model; thus, in 1990, Land Rover renamed them Defender 90, Defender 110 and Defender 130 respectively....(Read more on Wikipedia)
90 Overview:
Land Rover Defender (90). With 253 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1627 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. The top speed reaches 135 km/h. A rugged vehicle built to handle rough terrains and challenging driving conditions. With seating for 6, it’s perfect for larger families.
3.5 V8 (134 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers significantly more power and torque than the 4-cylinders, providing better on-road performance and a classic V8 sound. Still not fast by modern standards.
Fuel Economy
Very poor fuel economy, especially given its relatively modest power output. High running costs are a major consideration.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Unmatched off-road capability and durability.
- • Iconic, timeless design with strong heritage.
- • Excellent parts availability and repairability.
- • Strong resale value for well-maintained examples.
- • Highly customizable for various uses.
Cons:
- • Poor on-road comfort and refinement.
- • Limited passive safety features by modern standards.
- • High fuel consumption for petrol V8s.
- • Slow acceleration, especially with lower-powered engines.
- • Prone to rust in certain areas if not maintained.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(90: 1984 - 1990).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Land Rover |
| Model: | Defender |
| Generation: | 90 |
| Modification (Engine): | 3.5 V8 (134 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1985 |
| End of production: | 1998 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Off-road vehicle |
| Seats: | 6 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 134 Hp @ 5000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 38 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 253 Nm @ 2500 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 3528 |
| Number of cylinders: | 8 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 88.9 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 71.1 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.1:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 17.5 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 135 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 12.1 kg/Hp, 82.4 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 6.4 kg/Nm, 155.5 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1627 |
| Max. weight: | 2400 |
| Max load: | 773 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 1600 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 55 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3722 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1790 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 2000 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2360 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1486 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1486 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drive wheel | All wheel drive (4x4) |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Tires size | 205/80 R16 S |
| Front suspension | Rigid axle suspension |
| Rear suspension | Rigid axle suspension |
Your first impression of the Land Rover Defender in one word? Go!