2021 Land Rover Defender Hard Top Is A Posh 4×4 LCV

Land Rover has expanded the new-gen Defender family by introducing the Hard Top light commercial vehicle (LCV).

Developed by the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division, it’s already on sale in the United Kingdom, in 90 and 110 body styles, starting at £35,820 ($46,795) and £43,012 ($56,190) respectively, excluding tax.

Compared to the SUV versions of the 4×4, the Hard Top, a named first used by the company back in 1950 for the Series 1 model, does not have any second- or third-row seats, but it can be ordered with optional first-row jump seats, taking up to three occupants in the front. This opens up a load area of 1,355 liters (47.9 cu-ft) in the shorter 90 version and 2,059 liters (72.7 cu-ft) in the longer 110 model.

Related: Land Rover Defender Gets New Plug-In Hybrid And Diesel Variants

The storage area has been enhanced with clever solutions meant to maximize the space on offer. All Hard Tops feature lockable underfloor storage, lashing points to the load floor and fixed-height load partition with hooks, in addition to the heavy-duty rubber mats, brighter loadspace illumination and exterior utility panel that can be personalized.

Powering the new Defender Hard Top is a series of inline-six diesel engines, such as the D200 in the 90 and the D250 and D300 options in the 110. The latter can also be had with several specification packs that mimic those in the S, SE and HSE Defenders, as well as several suspension options on top of the passive coil suspension that’s standard in the 90 and 110 Hard Tops.

The light commercial vehicle 4×4 has a 291-mm (11.5-in) ground clearance, up to 900 mm (35.4 in) of wading depth and approach, departure and breakover angles of 38, 40 and 28 degrees, respectively, in the longer model.