2023 Land Rover Defender 130 eight-seater revealed

Land Rover has completed its reborn Defender family with the 130, a stretched Defender 110 fitted with three rows and eight seats.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 eight-seater has been revealed – though Australian launch timing is yet to be confirmed.

Whereas the ‘130’ designation used to refer to a 130-inch (3302mm) wheelbase, the new Defender 130 offers the same 3022mm (119-inch) wheelbase as the standard 110 – with Land Rover instead adding an extra 340mm of sheet metal behind the rear axle.

The longer body facilitates a more spacious eight-seat interior, claimed to be large enough to house three adults in the third row – each treated to seat heating, padded outside armrest, USB-C charging, air vents (one of four climate zones), and a second sunroof for the third row only.

Other practicality highlights include second and third row of seats elevated above the front (dubbed a ‘stadium rise’), a sliding second row, and a lowering function for the air suspension to aid boot loading.

There’s 389 litres of boot space with all three rows in place, which can expand to 1232 litres with the third row folded, or 2291 litres with the second row down in a 40:20:40 configuration. A five-seat 130 is available, offering 1329 litres with the second row up, or 2516 litres with it down.

To maintain off-road ability despite the extended rear overhang, Land Rover says a “subtle boat tail-style uplift” has been designed into the rear end, for a 28.5-degree departure angle – down significantly on the 110’s 40-degree claim.

Buyers can option standard or Extended Bright Pack exterior trim packages, plus a new Sedona Red colour that’s exclusive to the 130.

In the front row, there’s the same 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen as the 90 and 110, plus trim choices including a new Natural Light Oak wood veneer, a cabin purification system, and ‘what3words’ navigation technology.

Engine details are yet to be confirmed for Australia, however buyers overseas can choose from 221kW/470Nm ‘P300’ and 294kW/550Nm ‘P400’ versions of a 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine, plus a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel in 184kW/600Nm ‘D250’ and 221kW/650Nm ‘D300’ tunes.

All models benefit from 48-volt mild-hybrid systems for improved fuel economy, plus eight-speed automatic transmissions driving all four wheels.

There’s no 5.0-litre supercharged V8 on offer – at least at launch.

Standard off-road tech includes adaptive air suspension with up to 430mm of articulation – allowing 71.5mm of additional lift up front, or 73.5mm at the rear – plu a low-range transfer case and Land Rover’s Terrain Response system.

Land Rover claims a 900mm water wading depth, 37.5-degree approach angle, 27.8-degree breakover angle, and 290mm of ground clearance. Braked towing is rated at up to 3000kg, while maximum payload varies between 750kg for the eight-seater, or 800kg for the five-seater.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is due on sale overseas in the coming months.

Australian launch details are expected to be announced in the coming days. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, though a premium of $20,000 to $25,000 over the 110 is likely, possibly with a few extra features bundled in.

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