Defender set to march into town<\/p>\n
By John Aglionby<\/p>\n
LAND ROVER is going to launch its Defender in Indonesia in the
\nfirst half of next year, according to a source within the
\nautomotive industry.<\/p>\n
The source, who asked for anonymity, said: \"Land Rover is
\nlooking to import its Defenders some time in the first semester
\nof next year. However no date has been fixed.\"<\/p>\n
He added that they would be imported in completely knockdown
\nform and then assembled here. Few of the parts would be made
\nlocally.<\/p>\n
There are already about 100 Land Rovers -- both the Defender
\nand Discovery varieties -- and Range Rovers in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
They are not available to the general public, however, and
\nmany of them are owned by members of the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
Another industry source said that Land Rovers would probably
\nbe priced at least Rp 150 million (US$61,500), and that,
\ncertainly to begin with, only the hardtops would be available
\nhere.<\/p>\n
Primarily used as agricultural vehicles in the West, the
\nsecond source said he thought Land Rover would target companies
\nand agencies that have projects in Indonesia's less accessible
\nareas.<\/p>\n
\"However, I'm sure a lot of people who never need to use half
\nof a Defender's features will buy it as it is a very reliable,
\nalbeit expensive, vehicle with room for almost a dozen
\nIndonesians.\"<\/p>\n
The British company, part of the Rover Group that was taken
\nover by Germany's BMW, is also setting up a regional office in
\nKuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
This is expected to be operational in a few months.<\/p>\n
Defenders, which were launched on the British market five
\nyears ago, are equally capable of cruising down a freeway at 150
\nkm\/h as they are in low-ratio, four-wheel drive plowing through
\nterrain that few other similar vehicles can contemplate crossing.<\/p>\n
Because they are designed for off-road use, the front seats
\nare some of the most comfortable on the market, able to cushion
\ndriver and front-seat passengers against any unexpected knocks
\nand bumps.<\/p>\n
In other markets the Defender is available with a 2.5-liter
\nfour-cylinder turbo-charged intercooled diesel and a V8 engine.
\nIt has front disc brakes and rear drums.<\/p>\n
The diesel develops 83kW at 4000rpm and torque of 265Nm at
\n1800rpm.<\/p>\n
It is considered a good workhorse and is used by mining
\ncompanies, farmers and people looking to haul heavy loads.<\/p>\n
The Defender is particularly strongly built.<\/p>\n
Its massive steel box-section chassis is mated to a light,
\nrustproof aluminum alloy body, which gives a lower center of
\ngravity for off-road stability and unrivaled durability.<\/p>\n
The Defender can carry more than 1,300 kilograms and tow up to
\nfour tonnes. It has a ground clearance of 190mm.<\/p>\n
The suspension allows generous vertical wheel travel of 218mm
\nat the front and 228mm at the rear. This enables excellent axle
\narticulation, thus maximizing traction in particularly rough off-
\nroad conditions.<\/p>\n
It has permanent four-wheel drive with long travel coil
\nsprings and generous ground clearance to maximize traction over
\nthe most difficult terrain.<\/p>\n
To minimize the noise, vibration and harshness often
\nexperienced with rugged four-wheel drives the body is mounted to
\nthe chassis on 10 separate rubber mounted points.<\/p>\n
These rubber mounts act to dampen vibration between the
\nchassis and body, which in turn reduces the level of noise and
\nvibration to the passenger compartment.<\/p>\n
Both the Defender and Range Rover use well-proven beam axles
\nboth front and rear.<\/p>\n
All moving parts, including the constant velocity joints in
\nthe front axle, are housed within the axle casing and are
\ntherefore protected, unlike the open drive shafts of independent
\nfront suspension vehicles, from impact by stones and other
\ndebris.<\/p>",
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