Land Rover Defender gets more powerful D350 diesel engine - SA pricing

Land Rover has added a more potent diesel engine option to its popular Defender line-up.

Denoted by the D350 badge, this new engine derivative replaces the D300 that was offered previously.

With 257kW and a mighty 700Nm at its disposal, the new 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel engine produces 36kW and 60Nm more than the outgoing D300. As before, it pairs with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Pricing for the D350 derivatives starts at R1,870,700 and rises to R2,327,700, according to Duoporta.

• Defender 90 D350 HSE - R1,870,000
• Defender 90 D350 X - R2,108,600
• Defender 110 D350 HSE - R1,904,600
• Defender 110 D350 Sedona - R2,060,300
• Defender 110 D350 X - R2,179,900
• Defender 130 D350 Outbound - R2,029,000
• Defender 130 D350 HSE - R2,062,200
• Defender 130 D350 X - R2,327,700

Designed to meet the stringent emissions standards of Europe, the new diesel is also said to be more efficient, with Land Rover claiming a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.3 litres per 100km. It’s also said to be more refined.

“A series of advanced technologies reduce internal friction, vibration and noise intrusion, which contributes to improved refinement and enhanced driver and passenger experience,” Land Rover stated.

The other diesel engine option, the lesser-tuned D250, remains at the lower end of the line-up, producing 183kW and 570Nm and starting at R1,639,600.

2025 updates to Defender range

The new diesel engine’s introduction also coincides with a number of updates recently announced across the Defender range.

Chief among these is the Signature Interior Pack, which features as standard on the Defender X and V8 models, while being optional on the HSE.

This luxurious pack comes with material upgrades, including Windsor leather and Kvadrat for the seats, which are now climate controlled across all seating rows and 14-way electrically controlled upfront, with supportive new ‘winged’ headrests.

Furthermore, the Defender 130 is now available with a Captain Chairs pack, which provides luxurious individual chairs for second-row occupants, complete with heating and cooling.

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