An African Defender for Africa

Pretoria, August 2014 – Land Rover’s most iconic model has become even more appropriate for the great African outdoors thanks to the introduction of the Defender Africa Edition. And you can expect to see the distinctive Firenze Red contrast roof of the new Defender Africa Edition in the most inaccessible of places, thanks to its ability to cross the toughest terrain with confidence.

The Africa Edition builds on the legend that is Land Rover’s Defender, and gives the faithful the opportunity to own a vehicle that not only has a unique look, but also an array of features that enhance its workmanlike persona. It rolls nearly 70 years of hard-core, 4x4ing capability into one unmistakeable package.

Just 50 are available, of which 30 are 110 station wagons with the balance built on the pugnacious 90-inch platform. But all carry a distinguishing ‘Defender Africa’ logo (which comprises the Defender wording alongside the continent’s outline) on sides and rear, so that even those who travel close to the tarmac will be able to appreciate the rarity of this package. From kerbside, it’ll also be apparent that the black ‘Sawtooth’ alloys are shod with 235/85/16 Goodyear Wrangler MTR dual-purpose tyres.

Setting off the Firenze Red roof treatment, the Defender Africa Edition is only available in  Santorini Black with colour-coded wheel arches.

Interior highlights are a set of the acclaimed Melvill and Moon seat covers in bespoke black canvas with red leather piping, red contrast stitching and a unique ‘Africa’ map tag. A CD/tuner with MP3 compatibility includes an Auxiliary input and Bluetooth interface.

The ubiquitous 90 kW / 360 Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel, capable of operating virtually anywhere thanks to its rugged design and compatibility with a wide variety of fuels, continues doing service under the bonnet.

So that owners can up-spec their iconic off-roader from the approved Land Rover accessories cupboard, a range of items are available at prices designed to whet their appetite for overland adventure. In fact, if they order the full-house package, they’ll stand to save the best part of R6 000, while the vehicles’ base price is equally tantalising: the Land Rover Defender 90 Africa Edition sells for R 523 000 and the 110 for R 562 000.