Land Rover has finally conceded to customer demand and built a Defender without all those fluffy soft-roader comforts of the standard version – they’ve called it the ‘XTech’ – think of it like an Audi S-Line, or Volvo R Design – more street (or forest) cred, but essentially the same as a standard version.
The Defender XTech stands out from the crowd in Orkney Grey or striking Nara Bronze, which is unique to this special edition, with contrast Santorini Black roof and wheel arches and black chequer plate along the bumper and sills.
A special ‘DEFENDER’ decal sits above the rear LED lights whilst the front lights are enhanced with Santorini Black headlamp surrounds in contrast to the body colour. The XTech’s front end design is complemented with a body colour grille and gloss black Land Rover lettering on the bonnet.
A rear step bumper assembly aids entry, exit and loading while Gloss Black Saw Tooth 16-inch alloy wheels and MTR off-road tyres complete the look giving the Defender XTech a purposeful stance.
It all sounds suitably ‘rugged’ until we reach the inside where a pure Ebony part leather interior complements both the Orkney Grey and Nara Bronze with contrast Lunar stitching. Really? What happened to the manly ‘purposeful’ character boasted by the XTech’s chunky exterior?
If it sounds a litte familiar, that’s probably because the first-generation XTech was sold in limited numbers during the early part of 2011 – the colour was Zermatt Silver and the price was £3,000 less, but in most other respects they are the same ‘special edition’ cars.
A Land Rover logo is embossed on the front headrests whilst carpet mats have the Defender logo woven in. To harmonise with the exterior, the central switch panel matches the body colour of the vehicle with the same paint finish.
The XTech Special Edition comes with a high level of standard equipment, including Air Conditioning, Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Traction Control, central locking with remote control and heated seats and windscreen.
Powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine with a choice of the 90 Hard Top, 90 Station Wagon, 110 Station Wagon and 110 Utility Wagon, a range of standard options and accessories are also available.
The Defender XTech Special Edition goes on sale from July at a premium of approximately £5,500 more than the standard versions – prices start at £27,995 for the XTech 90 Hard Top.
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