Eight‑seat Defender 130 to launch 31st May

Longer Land Rover Defenders are nothing new. In 1983 Land Rover launched the 127, so called because it had a 127-inch wheelbase, following the convention laid down by the Defender 90 and 110. It had six seats, three up front and three in the back, and behind that a pick-up rear end that could carry 1.4 tonnes of gear. It was, essentially, a 110 cut in half with some extra chassis welded in in the middle. In 1990 the 127 became the 130 (although the wheelbase remained the same), simply to make the naming structure simpler.

Fast forward to today and the names 90, 110 and 130 have nothing to do with the wheelbase. The 90’s wheelbase actually measures 101.9 inches (2,587mm) and the 110’s 118.9 inches (3,022mm). We fully expect the Defender 130’s wheelbase to measure a colossal 140 inches, then (3,556mm approximately). As for the seating configuration, Land Rover is hoping to maintain the more premium interior aesthetic for the driver with a two-three-three layout. If you buy one make sure you have a panoramic roof, then, or anyone in those back seats will feel like they’re in a cave.