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I F THE POPULATION OF LAND ROVER Defender models that I've witnessed in my neighborhood and on the road is any indication, bringing back this upright sports utility a few years ago was a smart strategy for the British automaker. Although the big Range Rover models are quite capable off pavement, they look more at home parked in a valet line at a posh resort than slogging through mud. And folks just trust an upright, industrial style that looks comfortable in the wild. With off-roading firmly in mind, I was amused with the primary description of our Defender Carpathian's capability. It highlighted the supercharged 518HP V8's ability to sprint from 0 to 60 in just 4.9 seconds and reach 149 miles per hour. Perhaps that's valuable for James Bond movies where charging through the tundra at breakneck speed seems essential, but I've found crawling off- road a welcome attribute when I wish to return to civilization. Fortunately, our $118,285 Defender crept in sand as well as it charged with alacrity on pavement. Land Rover's rough-and-ready Defenders, just like Jeep's Wranglers, are what define the brand, conjuring up images of the late Queen Elizabeth touring royal properties with her corgi pooches in tow. e North American reintroduction of Land Rover's Defender in both two- and four-door trims has resulted in the tough-looking model's quick rise to becoming the automaker's top seller. Evidently, more than a few people want their SUV to look like it means business. e two-door Defender 90 lineup begins with a turbocharged 2.0- liter, four-cylinder engine at a base price that's now $56,400. e trim levels advance through smooth, mild hybrid inline six offerings, and finally the supercharged V8. Our Carpathian was described as the ultimate expression of design, performance, and capability and it looked the part, finished in matte Carpathian Grey with the hood, detour transportation PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN DOUGLAS Growling Off Road Land Rover's Defender 90 Carpathian packs V8 horses BY BRIAN DOUGLAS ranchandcoast.com 114 OCTOBER 2024 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE