• New Land Rover Defender launched in South Africa.

• SUV kitted with uncompromised off-road system.

• Wading depth of up to 900mm.

• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za

Land Rover has finally launched its new Defender in South Africa. Officially. The SUV makes its return to market after being discontinued several years back.

Back then, Land Rover kept their cards so close to their chest that one believed rumours that a new model is not on the cards.

It didn't take too long, however, for news of a new Defender to break. Following many spy shots and imagery from international publications, one soon got an idea of how the new Defender will look. This SUV will divide opinion, with some agreeing with the design language and others not.

Whichever way your inclination goes, the Defender was never about a beautiful exterior, but rather peerless off-road prowess.

Here are some of the new Defender's off-road capabilities.

2020 Land Rover Defender (MotorPress)

Functions in short

Any off-road vehicle needs to be able to cross a tract of water. For this purpose, Land Rover ensured that the Defender has a wading depth of 900mm. This should see the SUV conquer and cross some of the deepest puddles you'd come across, all without hindering its 4x4 capabilities. Also, the new Terrain Response system has a wading function. It allows drivers to see exactly what the surrounding environment throws up, and sensors will relay how deep the tract is.

From the Terrain Response system, drivers can toggle between all the off-road menus and see what each component of the drivetrain and tyres are doing on any given moment.

An aspect of off-roading that can be very dangerous is side slopes. In 4x4 circles, it's known that the average person will become uncomfortable when a slope has an angle of 12-degrees. Why? Because the risk of rolling over is so much higher. But the 2020 Defender can conquer a gradient of up to 45-degrees. 45!

It can also scale inclines with an angle of up to 45-degrees.

In addition to the active e-differential and traction control, buyers can specify the optional air suspension with self-levelling function. This will aid the Defender in maintaining an ideal balance in compromised situations.

The new Land Rover Defender is now on sale in South Africa.