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New Defender Vertex lands in SA!

Defender has officially refreshed its local lineup, introducing a striking new premium specification, practical interior layouts, and a host of fresh adventure-ready accessories. Leading the charge for the 2026 update is the Defender Vertex, a model designed to bring a new level of "tough luxury" to South African roads and trails.

Automotive News3 min read

New Defender Vertex

Positioned alongside the existing X specification, the new Defender Vertex is the more urban variant within the range.

Exterior 

The Vertex is instantly recognisable thanks to:

  • Extended front and rear bumpers in Shadow Atlas Matte.

  • A larger, aggressively profiled front grille and revised fog lamps.

  • A Gloss Black tail door spoiler paired with contrasting yellow front brake callipers and matching yellow exposed rear recovery eyes.

  • Body-coloured lower body cladding that visually lowers and elongates the vehicle's profile.

  • Standard 22-inch diamond Turned wheels in Satin Dark Grey with a Carpathian Grey contrast (with 20-inch and 22-inch Gloss Black options available).

Interior

Buyers can choose from premium paint finishes, including Fuji White, Santorini Black, Woolstone Green, Borasco Grey, Carpathian Grey, and the adventure-inspired Patagonia White Matte Wrap.

Inside, Windsor Leather or a new Ebony Forged textile is an option. Standard features include three-zone Climate Control (upgraded to four-zone on the Defender 130) and Cabin Air Purification Plus.

Expanded customisation and new packs

Extended Exterior Pack

For those looking to replicate the Vertex's bold look on other models, a new Extended Exterior Pack is now available as an option for the X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE (including Hard Top), and V8 variants. It adds the Shadow Atlas Matte bumpers, rear spoiler, and a body-coloured spare wheel cover.

Defender 110 Trophy Edition gets a dark option

The expedition-ready Trophy Edition drops its traditional Keswick Green paintwork in favour of a stealthy Santorini Black theme, inspired by the volcanic sands of Greece. It comes standard with:

  • Steel-style 20-inch Gloss Black wheels and black brake callipers.

  • A Satin Black powder-coated steering wheel.

  • An Expedition Accessory Pack featuring a roof rack, deployable ladder, side-mounted gear carrier, and a raised air intake.

Defender OCTA updates

The twin-turbo V8 Defender OCTA remains the pinnacle of extreme performance in the lineup. For this update, it receives a new Woolstone Green exterior paint option and a standard Gloss Black tail door spoiler, while a Chopped Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack can now be optioned on the OCTA Black.

Six-seat layout

The 2+2+2 Family Explorer

A major practical update for families is the introduction of a six-seat configuration for the Defender 110. By utilising individual Captain Chairs in the second row, the layout offers better access to the third row, enhanced legroom, and individual armrests and manual recline functions for mid-row passengers.

Local flavour: Namib Orange

Paying homage to the global media launch of the modern Defender in Southern Africa back in 2020, a striking new Namib Orange paint code has been introduced. It is inspired by the coastal desert dunes and can be optioned on 90 and 110 body styles across S, X-Dynamic, and X trims.

Additionally, a new self-healing Gloss Protective Film joins the options list, utilising solar UV rays to naturally repair micro-scratches and protect the bodywork from stone chips on gravel passes.

Accessories and tech

Defender has expanded its factory-fit accessory catalogue to include:

  • Expedition roof light: An integrated, dual-beam setup blasting out 9,000 lumens of light up to 350 metres ahead.

  • Tail door gear carrier: A lockable, sleek storage box adding 60 litres (up to 12kg) of external storage space.

On the tech front, a new AI-driven conversational speech service responds to "Hey Land Rover," utilising generative AI to understand natural, everyday speech for navigation, infotainment, and travel inspiration.

Furthermore, a new Technology Pack bundles the brand's most requested features—including a Head-Up Display, Meridian™ Surround Sound System, and a Clear-Sight Interior Rearview Mirror—and is now available on S and X-Dynamic trim levels.. 

Pricing Summary

  • Defender Range: From R1 613 000

  • Defender Vertex: From R2 243 700

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Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more

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