Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/713424
Land Rover Defender Heritage Limited Edition 90 is the full name of the model, one of three lines creat- ed and manufactured to say farewell to the legend. We had some wonderful moments with that vehicle, trying to discover that one thing that actually occurs, but remains intangible.As usual, when I saw the car, I felt like a little boy who have just got a Matchbox he dreamed of. The box-like shape and characteris- tic universal construction, which significantly differs from modern standards, are the hallmark of that British wanderer. The manufacturer did everything to make the farewell version of Heritage, as a reference to the first pre-pro- duction model called, with affection, Huey (originating from registration numbers HUE 166), relate to the pro- totype with the elegant, English manner. The first what draws attention is the color of the body- work. When driving through Warsaw, we felt the sight of other drivers looking at us. I am certain that a red Ferrari would be of less interest than our Defender. The unusual set of bright, pea-green color of Grasmere Green achieves a perfect contrast with the Arctic White on the roof, making Land Rover be a visual attraction among all the silver gray, almost identical cars. It is said that the pea-green color is the same color that was used in some of the patterns for painting British fighter planes during the Second World War. The look of the car is completed with classic steel rims in color of the bodywork, black elements on silver bumpers, a retro-stylized mock-up radiator with the classic "Land Rover" logo, as well as signs "HUE 166" on both front mudguards. In the inside - a surprise. The designers introduced some attractive details, such as leather covering the steering wheel and the gear le- ver knob, aluminum door knobs, grille for air outlet, or light material sewn on seats with embroidered classic logo and "HUE 166" tags. There's even air conditioning. Apart from that, everything is clean and to the point. "Form follows function" - the modernistic slogan by Louis Sullivan may be, with clear conscience, referred to the character of the vehicle that was made for one purpose: get the driver anywhere he would dream of. The solution for a durable and simple construction of suspension is to have firm bridges based on coil springs at the front and semi-elliptical leaf springs at the back. The result of such a solution is a stur- dy drive system resistant to almost all road condi- tions. Of course, what we have here is a constant 4x4 drive with full differential and reducer, which, together with off-road parameters of version 90 that we drove (almost 50-degree angle of attack and departure, half meter of wading depth, over 30 centimeter ride height) gives 10 points to self-confidence for every driver that goes off-road. What's the most important thing, those are not just empty promises. The car really gives the feeling of safety due to great off-road performance. That is why every, even slightly sandy road tempts and invites the driver to pull off the asphalt road, on which Defender behaves like an uncivilized animal. Driving Defender in a town or city is just a complete misunderstanding. Due to my habits I got from the modern car I usually drive everyday (I must highlight that I own a large SUV), I had a feeling that I'm learning how to drive a car anew. Let us start with the position behind the steering wheel: it is similar to sitting on a wooden bench in a 19th century monastery school. The VEHICLES