Three-row Land Rover Defender caught testing

Last year, rumors about Land Rover developing a three-row version of the Defender have been circulating online. Supposedly called the Defender 130, it will be longer than the Defender 110. This will allow Land Rover to put an extra row of seats at the back, turning it into a 7 or 8 seater SUV.

Following that report, patent images of what appeared to be the rumored Defender 130 made their way online last October 2021 and January 2022. Instead of lengthening the wheelbase, Land Rover added the extra length after the rear axle. This means the supposed Defender 130 will have long rear overhangs compared to the 110 Series.

Fast forward to March 2022, and spy images of a prototype Land Rover Defender 130 have made their way online. Based on the pictures, it looks like the original wheelbase has been retained. This somewhat confirms that Land Rover did decide to lengthen the vehicle starting from the rear axle. Based on initial reports, the Defender 130 will measure 5,100mm long which would make it 340mm longer than the regular 110 version.

Despite the longer body, the look and design of the 130 will be similar to that of the 110 and 90 models. This means buyers can expect the three-row variant to come with similar round headlights, defined body panels, the “Safari Windows” on the corners of the roof, and the rear-mounted spare tire (not equipped on this prototype).

As far as engines are concerned, the 130 will most likely have a similar engine lineup as the 110. We can expect the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that makes 300 PS with 400 Nm of torque or the mild-hybrid 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 400 PS with 550 Nm of torque.

With Land Rover currently busy cold-weather testing the prototype 130, we can expect the three-row Defender to make its public debut later this year.

Source: Carscoops