Land Rover Defender Specifications

NAS Land Rover Defender History

In 1993, Land Rover launched the Defender in the North American (i.e. the USA and Canada) market. Although the Range Rover had been sold there since 1987, this was the first time utility Land Rovers had been sold since 1974. To comply with the strict United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, ranging from crash safety to lighting, as well as the very different requirements of American buyers, the North American Specification (NAS) Defenders were extensively modified. The initial export batch consisted of 500 Defender 110 County Station Wagons, fitted with the 3.9-litre V8 gasoline engine and 5-speed manual transmission. The engine was fitted with emissions control gear. All the vehicles were white, and sported full external roll-cages and larger side indicator and tail-lights. All were equipped with factory installed air conditioning.

This initial batch sold quickly, and for the 1994 and 1995 model year Land Rover offered the Defender 90, fitted with a 3.9 V8 engine and a manual transmission. The D-90 was intended to compete with the Jeep Wrangler. Initially, the Defender 90 was only available as a soft-top, but later versions were offered with a unique, removable, fiberglass roof panel or regular station wagon hard-top. In the final year of US production (1997) the engine was improved, designated 4.0 and mated to a 4 speed automatic transmission. In 1998 regulations changed to require the existence of airbags for both front seat passengers in all vehicles. The Defender could not be fitted with these without major modifications, which given the small numbers of NAS vehicles sold in relation to Land Rover's global sales, were not economically viable. Land Rover retired its utility vehicles at the end of 1997 to focus on its more upscale Discovery and Range Rover models, as well as the newly-launched Freelander.

Defender 90 Year-to-Year Changes

1994 Land Rover Defender 90: A different sort of Defender debuted for 1994. Dubbed the Defender 90, this one was a 2-door convertible. It was the first product marketed under the new company name in the U.S.: Land Rover North America. Considered Land Rover's entry-level model, the Defender 90 was the only convertible sport-utility vehicle in the U.S. with a V8 engine. Like the V8 in the previous Defender 110 wagon, the 3.9-liter engine developed 182 horsepower. A 5-speed manual was the only transmission offered. Somewhat stubby in appearance, the new convertible was roughly comparable to the Jeep Wrangler - which, of course, had no V8 engine. The Defender 90 was 7 inches shorter in wheelbase, and 14.5 inches shorter overall, than a regular Range Rover County. At 92.9 inches, its wheelbase was just a tad shorter than a Jeep Wrangler, but the Defender 90 measured 8.6 inches longer overall. A full tonneau cover protected the interior, but the basic Defender 90 came without a roof. A removable, full fabric top with plastic side and rear windows was a dealer-installed accessory. So was a "bikini" half-top. Standard equipment included a front brush guard, rear step bumper, front/rear antisway bars, cassette stereo, front/rear mud flaps, swing-away rear-mounted spare tire, and an 8,000-pound winch. The Premium Sort Top package included a full safari cage. Aluminum body panels were attached to a steel frame. All-disc brakes were used, but without antilocking. No airbags were installed. Only two front seats were included with the Defender 90 as it came from the factory. A 2-place folding rear seat was a dealer-installed option. So were air conditioning and full carpeting. Spring of 1994 brought a new manual transmission to the Defender 90.

1995 Land Rover Defender 90: A new "fastback" soft top featured plastic sliding windows. As before, an optional plastic top could be dealer installed, as could a surrey-style full fabric top or a fabric half top. Importation of the Defender 90 ceased at the end of 1995, but the vehicle would earn a brief reprieve later. Final '95 versions had standard air conditioning, a more powerful cassette stereo, and newly optional 5-spoke alloy wheels.

1996 Land Rover Defender 90: No new Defenders were imported in 1996, but final examples of the limited-edition hardtop model from '95 could still be found at dealerships. They featured a permanent aluminum hardtop with pop-up sunroof, an internal/external safari cage, and four center-facing rear seats.

1997 Land Rover Defender 90: After a year's absence, Land Rover resumed importation of the Defender 90, built by the Rover Group (now owned by BMW). A slightly larger 4.0-liter V8 engine went under the hood, along with a 4-speed automatic transmission, both borrowed from the larger Discovery wagon. A hardtop wagon went on sale first, which Land Rover announced would be followed by a soft-top convertible. Enhanced-capacity air conditioning was optional, and a CD changer was standard. So were driving lamps and a 9,000-pound winch, in case of difficulty in the wilderness. Neither airbags nor antilock brakes were available, but permanent 4-wheel drive and all-disc braking were standard. The six-passenger Defender 90 wagon had a fixed aluminum roof, swing-out tailgate, roll-down door windows, and sliding rear side windows. Four-passenger convertibles had half-height doors, removable sliding side windows, and a manual canvas roof that fit over the integral roll cage.

Production

MSRP At Time Of First Sale

Equipment (Standard)

• Cubby box with Clarion AM/FM cassette
• 2 Drink holders
• Swing away tire carrier
• Tonneau cover
• Rubber floor mats

Options

• Air Conditioning
• Numerous tops
• Rear safari cage (option on 1994-5, standard 1997)
• Numerous lights, running boards, racks, winch mounts, etc.
• CD player in 1997

Exterior Colors - Defender 90

cc • Clear Coat Paint
m • Metallic Paint

Interior Colors - Defender 90

Defender Color Codes

Drivetrain - 1994-1995

Drivetrain - 1997

Brakes - All Models

Suspension

Solid axle front and rear, coil sprung, Front and Rear sway bar standard

Steering

Power assisted

Fuel Mileage

1994-1995 Models: 13 City / 16 Highway
1997 Models: 14 City / 15 Highway

15.6 gallon fuel tank (all models)

Towing Ability

Trailer with brakes: 3500 lbs
Trailer with no brakes: 1650 lbs

Off-Road Stats

Ground Clearance: 9
Approach Angle: 51 degrees
Departure Angle: 35 degrees
Break Over Angle: 34 degrees

Size And Shape