Defender Hard Top shows its soft side at Killruddery Estate
Published on 12th March 2026 at 17:09
A day of meandering through the picturesque Killruddery Estate on a beautiful
March morning, in the company of Land Rover’s latest Defender Hard Top, is
difficult to both understate or claim to be hardship. The ground was soft, with pools
of standing water on the route track, all combing to provide plenty of slip and slide at
the merest hint of too much throttle, too much steering, or your disrespect for simple
physics – an ideal mix to showcase the 2026 Defenders talents.
Now in its second generation, the Defender brings comfort and convenience, allied to
entertainment, safety and connectivity enhancements that elevate it to a status far
removed from the original model’s quite stark functionality, albeit beloved by
millions globally.
At no stage during my drive did the Defender baulk, stutter or reject moving
forwards, the adjustable ride-height, low-ratio options dismissing my apprehension
with a consummate ease.
Unquestionably now a premium commercial, this latest Defender Hard Top will
appeal to those who operate in construction, agriculture and in soft environments
full of hard questions.
Defender Pricing
Defender 90 Hard Top available from €76,860 (or €55,000 excluding VAT & VRT),
and Defender 110 Hard Top available from €84,860 (or €68,829 excluding VAT &
VRT). More information at www.landrover.ie/defender
Defender Family
Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a persona all
its own. Defender 110 is available as an electric hybrid.
Those with the need can opt for luxury Defender OCTA, a 4.4litre V8 powered land
invader that comes with 635bhp and an attitude.
Durable and flexible load area
All Defender Hard Top models has a practical cargo area with a fixed full-height
partition to separate occupants from the generous load area. The
bulkhead boosts security and safety, with the partition itself coming with four
hanging hooks on the loadspace side, and two stowage nets on the cabin side of 110
models for small items.
The full-width load floor is completely flat, with up to six integrated lashing points,
heavy-duty rubber mats and a set of lockable storage areas providing 58 litres of
underfloor stowage at the rear of both the 90 and 110. An additional underfloor area
is fitted to the 110 Hard Top, where the footwells of the Defender passenger model
would normally be found, providing 155 litres of hidden stowage, and the whole load
area is illuminated by enhanced interior lighting five times brighter than the
standard passenger Defender.
Additionally, high-sided rubber mats for the front footwells add to the rugged nature
of the passenger compartment – and when the time comes to clean the interior
out, the all-rubber floor coverings can be hosed down.
The Hard Top’s load area is accessed via the side-hinged rear tailgate, while the rear
side doors on 110 variants boost practicality and give customers the flexibility to
access smaller items located towards the front without the need to move bulky
objects out of the way.
Euro Pallet
The interior rear door panels also feature a slimline profile to maximise loadspace
inside. If required, the 110 Hard Top can accommodate a standard Euro Pallet
thanks to its wide-opening tailgate and generous proportions. The maximum load
length measures up to 1,472mm in the 110 and lashing points ensure large loads can
be safely secured in place.
Customers can add bespoke signage to the Defender Hard Top's silhouette, thanks to
the Exterior Signage Panel behind the front row of seats that runs to the rear of the
vehicle, while a variety of roof racks and accessories provide added scope for load
carrying.
Defender Hard Top load space:
90 Hard Top 110 Hard Top
Maximum load floor length: 1,030mm 1,472mm
Maximum load floor width: 1,326mm 1,423mm
Maximum load height: 947mm 937mm
Load space capacity: 1,355 litres 2,059litres
(incl underfloor stowage)
Payload: 670kg 778-800kg
(depends on Engine & Specification Pack)
Capable
Defender Hard Top provides off-road capability in tandem with strong load carrying
capacity – giving commercial vehicle customers the ability to reach the most remote
locations.
Both 90 and 110 Hard Top models are equipped with independent coil-sprung
suspension, with advanced Electronic Air Suspension available on the 110.
Electronic Air Suspension, with ground clearance of 291mm, and approach,
breakover and departure angles as the passenger models – up to 38, 28 and 40
degrees respectively for the 110 (in Off-Road Height).
The Hard Top also demonstrates impressive towing prowess, with the ability to pull
up to 3,500kg, and it will wade through water up to 900mm deep, assisted by the
Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system that ensures drivers can cross
flooded roads or tracks with confidence.
Defender’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive has a new intelligent driveline system using
sensor data from driver inputs and vehicle surroundings to continually vary axle
torque and deliver it to where it’s needed. This torque distribution arrangement
optimises the vehicle not only for traction and on-road dynamics, but it also
contributes to driveline efficiency with lower CO 2 emissions and improved fuel
economy.
Ingenium diesel engines
Power for the Defender Hard Top comes from the advanced Ingenium, six-
cylinder, D250 diesel engine featuring MHEV technology, mated to an eight-speed
automatic transmission with twin-speed transfer box and the option of Electronic Air
Suspension. The D250 delivers 249PS and 570Nm of torque.
The RDE2-certified and Euro 6d-Final compliant six-cylinder engine meet the most
stringent global emissions standards and feature state-of-the-art Mild Hybrid
Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology to enhance refinement, efficiency and
responses.
The 48-volt system harvests energy usually lost when slowing down and stores it in a
battery under the rear floor of the vehicle. This energy is then redeployed to provide
torque assistance during stop/start driving, providing smoother and more
economical driving.
Defender Hard Top specification
The Defender Hard Top comes exclusively in Defender specification
with Ebony fabric seats ensuring it’s up to the challenges and rigours of everyday use,
and rubber flooring throughout. Defender 110 Hard Top specification includes side
steps as standard.
Defender’s Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment provides immediate and intuitive
control of all the major vehicle functions, including seamless smartphone integration
using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Defender Hard Top model’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
includes Defender’s 3D Surround Camera system that provides all-round
visualisation of the vehicle on the central touchscreen, helping drivers manoeuvre
safely in tight spaces or position the vehicle close to items ready for loading.
For an uncompromised view out of the rear of the vehicle – regardless of whether the
load space is full or if there’s a passenger in the optional Jump Seat – Defender’s
ClearSight Rear View camera provides an uninterrupted view out the rear of the
vehicle at the flick of a switch on the bottom of the rear-view mirror.
Convenience is enhanced further with the InControl Remote smartphone app, which
will allow businesses to keep track of the location, fuel level and journey history of
their vehicle from afar, for ultimate peace of mind and security.
Eddie Kavanagh, Jaguar Land Rover Ireland Managing Director, said “Defender
Hard Top is an integral part of the Defender family in Ireland. Both 90 and 110
models bring unrivalled levels of practicality, versatility and premium levels of
comfort to the commercial sector, demonstrating the vehicle’s hard-working DNA.”
