The all-new Land Rover Defender has to be the most highly-anticipated 4×4 of 2018.
It’s going to be tough to convince loyalists that the all-new Defender is as tough as the old one, which is probably why Land Rover is putting it through an extremely tough testing program. As we mentioned in earlier reports, there are currently Defenders all over the globe completing various tasks.
We know a few are cold weather testing and there are a few on the Nürburgring, but the reports on those tests have not been released yet. But the Defender is one step closer in production after completing its testing in Kenya.
The new Land Rover Defender has moved a step closer to production after successfully completing a demanding testing program with Tusk Trust in Kenya, in support of their lion conservation initiatives in Africa.
A prototype Defender fitted with an integrated raised air intake and wearing a unique camouflage, which was specially devised for the surroundings, supported operations at the 14,000-hectare Borana Conservancy, tracking radio collared lions and transporting supplies.
The unique test programme gave Tusk operatives a chance to put the new Defender through a series of real-world tests as wildlife managers forded rivers, pulled heavily loaded trailers and negotiated challenging terrain. The prototype model was even used to help replace the inoperative tracking collar fitted to a male lion, which was sedated at close range from the security of the new Defender.
The Borana Conservancy is home to flat plains, deeply rutted tracks, steep rocky inclines, muddy river banks and thick forests, giving the new Defender a chance to showcase what Land Rover hopes will be an unrivalled breadth of capability.
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