New Defender v Old Defender: Off-Road Challenge

TL;DR

The new and electric-converted old Land Rover Defenders both handle off-road terrain well, but they rely on very different strengths. The new Defender combines a 250-horsepower diesel engine with low range, locking differentials, air suspension, and terrain-select electronics, while the old Defender uses a 450-horsepower Tesla motor and a 100-kilowatt-hour battery. Read on for their specifications, off-road setup, and substantial price difference.

Transcript

welcome to a rather windy whales now i'm not talking about a farty mammal fish i'm talking about the country next to england it's just as dumb though anyhow i'm here to compare the new land rover defender with this rather different old defender you see in some ways this is more modern than that because while that is powered by fossil fuels old inte... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 The new Land Rover Defender offers a modern and comfortable driving experience both on and off-road.
• 🥶 The electric conversion of the old Defender provides impressive performance and torque control.
• 👶 The new Defender has advanced features like air suspension, terrain select modes, and a camera system for off-road navigation.
• 🥶 The old Defender retains its classic charm and ruggedness, but lacks modern amenities and comfort.
• 👶 The price difference between the new and electric converted old Defender is significant, with the conversion costing almost double the starting price of the new Defender.
• 🥶 The new Defender showcases Land Rover's commitment to sustainability with its diesel engine, while the electric conversion of the old Defender offers a green alternative.
• 🥶 Both vehicles have their strengths in different off-road challenges, with the new Defender excelling in controlled descents and the electric old Defender showcasing impressive power delivery and traction.

Questions & Answers

Q: Which is better off-road: the new Defender or the electric old Defender?

Both Defenders took the first articulation and ground-clearance obstacle easily, so the off-road expert judged them level on that challenge. The new Defender relied on air suspension and electronic controls, while the old Defender benefited from its big wheels and tires.

Q: What engine and drivetrain does the new Land Rover Defender use?

The new Defender has a three-liter straight-six turbo diesel producing 250 horsepower and 570 newton meters of torque. It drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox with a low-range mode.

Q: How does the old Defender's electric conversion work?

The old Defender uses the motor and inverter from a Tesla Model S 100D, producing 450 horsepower and 450 newton meters of torque. Its centrally mounted motor connects to a limited-slip differential that sends power forward and backward, with another torque-sensing limited-slip differential across each axle.

Q: What battery capacity does the electric Defender have?

The electric Defender has a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack in one section and a 40-kilowatt-hour pack at the back. Together, they provide 100 kilowatt-hours of battery capacity.

Q: What off-road technology does the new Defender have?

The new Defender has low-range mode, air suspension, a rock-crawl terrain program, and electronically controlled center and rear locking differentials. In the first obstacle, the setup raised the suspension and managed traction while the driver operated the brakes, steering, and accelerator.

Q: Does the electric old Defender have low-range gearing?

No, the converted old Defender has a single-speed drivetrain and no low-range mode. It instead distributes its electric motor's power through three limited-slip differentials.

Q: How much do the new and electric-converted Defenders cost?

The new Defender starts at £45,000, while the D250 starts at just under £50,000 and the optioned vehicle shown costs close to £62,000. Converting an old Defender to Tesla power costs £90,000 when the customer supplies the base vehicle, while the featured Spectre replica costs £150,000 including its additional upgrades.

Q: How much do the new and electric old Defenders weigh?

The new Defender weighs just over 2.2 tons. The electric-converted old Defender weighs 2.6 tonnes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The new Defender is powered by a three-liter straight-six turbo diesel engine, while the old Defender has been converted to electric power using a Tesla motor and inverter.

• The comparison includes driving the vehicles through four different off-road challenges to test their capabilities.

• The video also discusses the design, interior features, practicality, and performance of both vehicles.