Land Rover has expanded the Defender line-up with a range-topping extra-long version that brings increased interior space and eight-seater functionality.

The Defender 130 is built on a 340mm longer platform that enables an optional eight-seater layout, while increasing maximum boot space to 2,516 litres for the five-seater or 2,291 for the eight-seater

Dubbed the Defender 130, it joins the existing 90 and 110 variants, replicating the original Defender three-model line-up.

It’s available to order now, priced from £73,895 and built on a stretched platform with an extra 340mm of length. This enables an optional eight-seater layout, arranged in a 2+3+3 configuration, while increasing maximum boot space to 2,516 litres for the five-seater or 2,291 for the eight-seater. With all three rows in place, the eight-seater offers 389 litres of storage and Land Rover says entry to row three is effortless, aided by sliding functionality on the middle row. Drivers can also lower the Defender’s Electronic Air Suspension usng buttons inside the load area to aid with loading items into the rear.

It’s available with a choice of P300 and P400 mild-hybrid Ingenium six-cylinder petrols, and the D300 Ingenium six-cylinder diesel. There’s no news yet about whether the plug-in hybrids for the Defender 90 and 110 will arrive later.

All Defender 130 versions are also fitted with Land Rover’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) system and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission as standard, while the Defender’s off-road capability is managed by Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. The Defender 130 provides towing capacity of up to 3,000kg while maximum payload is up to 750kg. It will also ford up to 900mm of water.

Five trim levels are available: SE, HSE, X-Dynamic and X specifications, plus a First Edition based on the HSE specification.

It’s fitted with latest connected technologies and chassis systems – including a new, larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen already seen on the Defender 90 and 110 V8, plus standard Electronic Air Suspension and Cabin Air Purification Plus, which makes its range debut. All models also come with a standard-fit panoramic glass sunroof, complemented by a second sunroof above row three.