By Richard Bosselman
“Mate, I never hit nuthin’.”
Yeah, right. Hot oil is gushing on the red earth. There’s a sizeable hole in the sump. Down the track, a boulder bears a glistening smudge of black. Case proven and closed, I’d say.
Five Land Rover Defenders started this two-day hike through Wolemi, the largest wilderness area in New South Wales. Now, just a couple of slow-paced hours in, we’re down to four drivable cars. And one chastened Aussie journo who’ll be a passenger for the remainder of the day.
Fair due. We’re truly doing it tough. A maze of canyons, cliffs and forest, this part of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area ain’t for street-tuned SUVs.
This is a good test for the newest version of the oldest Landie, especially its big difference _ a 2.4-litre diesel engine from the Transit van, with the same power as before (90kW) but rather more torque, 360Nm (a 60Nm gain) produced over a wider rev spread.
Behind this mill is a fresh transmission, also from Ford, with six forward gears available for the first time and enhanced flexibility for at-speed cruising and pedestrian pace rock-crushing.
The interior has undergone a refit, with various bits from the current (dash, air con) and previous (rear-most seats) Discovery. There is even an iPod socket. Which of the 60 military forces who support this car requested that?
There are 700 changes, yet in sight and sensation the world’s oldest four-by-four by far remains as it always has been: timeless and from another time. Surely the tail lights and finger-snagging rear door latch are unchanged since the original Series I of 1948.
Comparison with any modern four-wheel-drive is, of course, quite ludicrous. Airbags? Stability control? Don’t be silly, man. It was a big step just to finally get all the seats facing forward and provide every passenger with a three-point seatbelt. That the 90 and 110 also have antilock brakes and traction control as well is nothing short of a miracle.
I’m glad the sole styling change, a bump in the bonnet to fit the engine, doesn’t defile the Lego brick shape. I love that even the new stuff manages to be kooky. Example: The air con pumps even when the fan is switched right off. Despite the new chairs, the driving position remains awkward. Passengers fare no better: kneecap-strike is a risk for the other front seat rider; those in the back risk stubbing toes on a floor beam. That’s just how it’s always been.
Despite more verve, it’s still slow: taking 14.7 seconds to hit 100kmh, and spent at 135kmh. The steering’s light and the body-roll obvious.
Yet the last Land Rover I’d want for a big highway trip is still the first for ruts, ravines and rivers. Many modern off-roaders will not see which way it goes and, strangely, the Range Rover Sport supporting our expedition always seemed to be occupied elsewhere when our cars were tackling near-vertical slopes.
In first gear low-range - with the differential lock engaged and constant throttle application to aid the operation of the traction control system - the car I was in seemed as unstoppable as the ageing process.
Land Rover sells Defender in three different wheelbase lengths (90, 110 and 130 inches), all cheaper than before. The 90 starts at $61,990, the 110 is $64,990, plus $2000 for third row chairs. The pickup costs $64,990 and the 130 is $61,990.
The engine update is a temporary reprieve. New regulations regarding crash safety standards due in Europe in 2010 will render the overall design obsolete.
Will there be another? Plans have been repeatedly pushed back. The adventurer’s choice is the trickiest and most time-consuming to build and is the least profitable. And they only knock out 23,000 a year now. What chance would you give it?
At dusk we visit the remains of a shale works which operated from 1908 to 1952, using 19th-century processes to create fine machinery oils.
The vast industrial complex, impregnable even to a Defender, is being reclaimed by nature. A reminder that nothing lasts forever. How odd that our host insists we visit this eerie spot.
(this article was taken from drivesouth.co.nz)