DEFENDERS COME TO THE RESCUE

The new Defender 110’s were put to the ultimate test in Namibia during a pre-launch media expedition, rescuing a truck driver whose semi-trailer was stuck in the country’s infamous Namib Desert.

The Land Rover media team were experiencing the new Defender 110 for the first time in the South West African country, ahead of its April long-lead press launch, when they encountered the marooned truck and its driver while scouting-out a video shoot location.

After rescuing the unfortunate driver, who had been stranded in the remote desert with little to eat and drink and no communication with the outside world for three days, crews aboard the new Defender 110s – a D240 SE and a P400 S - quickly hooked-up snatching ropes to the prime mover and hauled it from the sand.


Armed only with their new Defender 110s, strong ropes and resourcefulness the Land Rover team managed to free the semi from the dry, sandy riverbed.

New Defender has a claimed 3,500 kilogram towing capacity but with the Scania prime mover and its tri-axle trailer weighing around 20 tonnes (20,000 kilograms) it is likely the Defenders may have exceeded their official towing capacity - and all on a slippery, sandy surface.

Professional photographer Damian Blakemore, who was part of the Defender team in Namibia, described the rescue as: “International Rescue, New Defender style”.

Posting on Facebook, Damian said: “The driver and his truck had been stuck in this dry riverbed for three days, miles from anywhere. What a car! What a team!”

All-new Defender 110 five-door will go on sale in New Zealand this year with pricing starting from $89,900 (plus on-road costs).

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