Land Rover's iconic off-roader reimagined for the 21^st century - the Land Rover Defender - has arrived in Singapore.

The Land Rover is currently only available as a 110 variant, but the compact, short wheelbase 90 is expected to arrive later this year.

The new Defender is built upon Land Rover's new purpose-engineered D7x architecture, which utilises a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create the stiffest body structure Land Rover has ever produced. The new platform provides the perfect foundations for the fully independent air suspension and supports the latest electrified powertrains.

During development testing, prototype models of the Defender have covered millions of kilometres across some of the harshest environments on earth, ranging from the 50-degree heat of the desert and sub 40-degree cold of the Arctic to altitudes of above 3,000m in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

The new body architecture provides ground clearance of 291mm. World-class off-road geometry gives the 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees (Off-Road height) respectively.

A maximum wading depth of 900mm is supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence.

World-class durability is ensured with new steel subframes and uprated ball joints and bushes that are designed to withstand severe off-road impacts. The wheels for example, can withstand up to seven tonnes of vertical load into the body.

The introduction of air suspension helps to transform the 4x4's on-road handling and supports its all-terrain capability, providing an off-road ride height lift of 75mm and supreme ride comfort across all surfaces.

An additional 70mm of lift means the air system can raise the body by a maximum of 145mm when needed, while Elegant Arrival automatically lowers the body by 40mm to aid access.

Drivers can prevent cross-axle slip using the Centre Slip Limited and Centre and Rear Slip Limited options on the central touchscreen controller. In addition, there is a choice of three settings for the throttle and gearbox response, steering and traction control, allowing experienced offroaders and all-terrain novices to tailor the vehicle set-up to suit their requirements.

Permanent all-wheel drive and a twinspeed automatic gearbox, centre differential and optional Active Locking Rear Differential ensure the Land Rover Defender has all the hardware required to excel in the soft sand of the desert, the freezing tundra of the arctic and everywhere in between.

20-inch five-spoke Gloss Sparkle Silver design rims also come standard on the First Edition. With an outside rolling diameter of 815mm, the Defender is available with the biggest contact patch of any Land Rover for peerless traction and grip in any environment.

At launch, the petrol lineup comprises a four-cylinder P300 (with 296 bhp and 400Nm of torque) and a powerful six-cylinder P400 (394bhp and 550Nm of torque), featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology.

The P300 unit will see the Defender complete the century sprint in 8.1 seconds, while the P400 utilises a 48V mild-hybrid system and a conventional twin-scroll turbocharger paired with an advanced 48V electric supercharger to complete the same sprint in 6.1 seconds. All engines drive through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and twin-speed transmission to provide a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required.

In the cabin, the Land Rover Defender sports a constructivist modular architecture that communicates its highly functional nature, underpinned by its practical layout and reductive design.

An exposed, powder-coated magnesium cross car beam sits prominently in the cabin and communicates the overall strength of the body. This cross beam is available in a range of finishes and features integrated grab handles to aid entry but also for a secure grip when the vehicle is performing serious off-road driving.

It also houses the main controls and the central touchscreen, enabling the installation of an innovative optional front row centre seat as well as for movement across the front of the cabin. Durable rubberised flooring combines with flush door sills to provide genuine mop or brush clean functionality.

The innovative Front Row Centre Seat (also known as jump seat) allows three people to travel in the front row. Conceived and designed as an occasional seat, the practical addition means the Defender 110 can be specified with five or six seats.

The short-wheelbase Defender 90 meanwhile, can accommodate six occupants in a compact family hatchback length body.

When not in use, the seatback folds down to provide a front armrest and oddment stowage, including a pair of additional cupholders.

The new Land Rover Defender also receives the firm's new Pivi Pro infotainment system, taking Software-Over-The-Air technology to a new level.

With 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates, electronic updates will cascade down to the vehicle immediately, without delay and with no need to visit a Land Rover retailer.