Let me preface this with the disclaimer that I'm no motoring editor. My knowledge of automobiles span some hype EVs and that one time I test-drove a couple of Land Rovers in Seoul. I am, however, a fan of the Defender. With its boxy aesthetic yet smooth curves, the iconic silhouette is one any would recognise even if not a car expert. So there's understandably a level of excitement when the British brand announced a new one to be launched this year.
Slated to be "the toughest, most capable, and luxurious model in the line-up", the all-terrain luxury SUV will feature V8 Twin Turbo mild-hybrid petrol power. But what's a first for Defender is the 6D Dynamics air suspension.
The hydraulic interlinked technology essentially works on a pitch and roll control system. This enables the vehicle to maintain near-level stance whether during acceleration, braking and cornering on-road, while maximising independent wheel travel on demanding off-road surfaces.
And if you're wondering about the name, it's taken from a diamond's octahedron shape; you know, diamonds being Earth's hardest, naturally occurring substance. This goes into a new encircled diamond visual designed for this flagship model, featured as a gloss black diamond within a machined and sandblasted titanium disc on each Signature Graphic panel.
But until we see the championing version, this high-performance rover is currently traversing the most exhaustive development regime in Defender history—across Sweden snow and Dubai desert, Nürburgring tarmac and Moab rock crawls.
