Land Rover Defender XTech special edition (2012)

Land Rover has announced a stylish new XTech special edition of its timeless Defender 4x4.

Despite the Defender’s farmers’ roots, Land Rover has loaded the XTech with a bundle of extra equipment and a series of cosmetic upgrades.

The Defender’s instantly recognisable bold design is still present in the new XTech special, but with noticeable alterations. This Defender comes in a choice of Orkney Grey or Nara Bronze, coupled with a Santoroni Black roof and wheel arches, finished with a pure black chequer plate bumper and sill decoys to match.

The headlights are smoked to hint at the Santorini Black paintwork and a ‘Defender’ decal sits prominently above the rear LED lights. It’s probably the poshest Defender yet.

The quirky colour combination continues inside the cabin; the cabin is part-trimmed in Ebony leather and the centre control panel comes in the same paint finish as the exterior.

Don’t think for a moment that the XTech won’t be as practical as any other Defender; it comes with MTR off-road tyres on16-inch gloss black Saw Tooth alloy wheels and electronic traction control.

The XTech is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, producing 266lb ft of torque. Should make it perfect for effortless towing and everyday driving - on and off-road.

Also standard on this special edition Landy are a rear-step bumper entry and exit, central locking, air-conditioning, plus heated seats and front windscreen.

The Defender XTech will be offered on 90 Hard Top and 110 Utility Wagon Defenders. It goes on sale in July 2012, with a starting price of £27,995.

By Sophie Williamson-Stothert