Latest news with #LandRoverDefender130
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Land Rover Defender PHEV would not please the Camel Man
The Land Rover Defender 110 P400e PHEV is very thirsty once it runs out of electricity. Anybody that lived in the 1980s must remember the Camel Man. His name was Bob Beck by the way and I only know this because I googled it. He was this weathered, tough-looking guy with a real mop of curly hair. He had a proper moustache and plenty chest hair on display. And he would light a Camel cigarette while leaning on his old Land Rover Defender in remote places deep in the heart of Africa. Smoking was cool back then. So was driving a square-shaped bucket of bolts held together by oil leaks that could go literally anywhere. It was a lifestyle choice. If you were around in the 1980s, you'll recognise the Camel Man. Fast forward to 2025. Beck is no longer with us. He died from cancer, but nowhere does it state that it was a result of smoking. Either way, smoking is very un-PC in the modern world, unless you are Snoop Dogg. Bodies get waxed and manscaped these days, and a Land Rover Defender comes with a five-year/100 000km full maintenance plan. This means you don't have to get your hands dirty and driving a R2.3-million square shaped bucket of very high-tech bolts held together by oil leaks that your maintenance plan takes care of is still cool. It is still very much a lifestyle choice. ALSO READ: More powerful diesel engine gives Land Rover Defender 130 kick in its step Putting PHEV to the test There is absolutely no dispute that the Land Rover Defender is an iconic vehicle that has long been synonymous with ruggedness and off-road prowess. In the case of the Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that The Citizen Motoring recently had on test, the Defender brings its legendary off-road capability into the future with the integration of hybrid technology. And this is what I want to talk about today because we have already covered all the luxury details. The real story of the Defender 110 P400e PHEV begins under the bonnet. Land Rover has equipped this model with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor and eight-speed gearbox, which works on paper and in the real world. Well sort of. While the hybrid setup produces a combined 297kW of power and 640Nm of torque, and this offers a serious level of performance as you can see from the road test stats, it's the claimed fuel consumption and efficiency that spoils the party a bit. The Land Rover Defender 110 P400e reached 190km/h in just 800 metres of tar. Picture: Mark Jones No slouch on the tarmac We all know it's a bit heavy at 2.5 tons, but it has all this power and torque to push it along. A 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds is not slow, nor is a 190km/h speed in just 800m of tar. But you would think that is thanks to its hybrid system and battery assistance that is said to offer you up to 51km of pure electric only. And with a claimed average fuel consumption of 2.8-litres per 10 km, you should have no complaints. But like said, there is a problem at this party, and it's range, or the lack there of. Firstly, when I fully charged our Defender, it showed a maximum range of only 35km. Now unless you live within this radius, once that electricity is gone, you only have a 2.0-litre mill doing the hard work. And that took our average fuel consumption out to 11.8 litres per 100km. And that is not that great. ALSO READ: JLR gears up to unleash 467kW Defender Octa in South Africa I really enjoyed my time with the Land Rover Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE. It successfully combines the brand's legendary (but untested by me) off-road capabilities with modern hybrid technology. It features all the luxury and technology that one would expect from a high-end SUV, but the similarly-priced D350 X turbodiesel just makes so much more sense if you are Defender shopping. Land Rover Defender test results
What's On
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
15 new date 'day' ideas for fun dates this summer
More fun ideas for dates that don't suck… We've established that date 'days' are actually the better version of date 'nights'. Fun activities you and your date can do together instead of just sitting mute in a movie theatre or making painful small talk over dinner. Nail the planning game with these ideas and thank us later when you ride off into the sunset. Make personalised charm keepsakes The Charm Bar is your one-stop-shop for all things charm and cheer related. Here, you can build your own charm bracelets and necklaces, and even create charm accessories for your shoes, bags, keychains and more. Basically, personalise anything and everything. It's a super fun way to bond, get to know each other in a whimsical way and take away a keepsake to remember the date. @thecharmbarofficial Go swinging Swingers Dubai is spread over an impressive 22,000 square feet and two floor. It boasts three crazy golf courses, with different vibes in each. Check out the Hot Air Balloon, the Waterwheel and the Clocktower courses each with fun moving obstacles, and stunning decor and friendly competition. Get together, take a swing, get competitive and end the night with some great food. @swingers_uae Learn some woodworking at The Makers Society The Makers Society is a quiet, peaceful environment, stillness and silence in the air as you work away. It's a great way to bond over the beauty of learning a new skill and enough space for you to get real with each other. This spot offers not just beginners classes, but also courses for you to get the low down on woodworking, so if it becomes your thing, you'll keep coming back together. @dubaimakerssociety Go deep sea diving Perhaps a bit intense, but if you and your date are adventure sport lovers, then this is the one for you. Deep Dive Dubai is the world's deepest diving pool, reaching up to a 60-metre depth and containing 14,000,000 litres of fresh water. You're provided everything you need from start to finish, from the wetsuit to an expert diving instructor who'll guide you no matter what level you are on. It's great for both beginners and professionals, and you and your date can explore the different levels of the sunken underwater city. @deepdivedubai Soar away in a hot air balloon If your lot is a bit more fun and experimental, a hot air balloon experience may be très fun. Hero Balloon Flights has a luxurious hot air balloon ride, complete with a scenic ride in the latest Land Rover Defender 130, a mesmerising drone show to begin the day, a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an in-flight falcon show and a gourmet breakfast inspired by the ancient Greek philosophy of the Four Elements. If you're extravagant in your gestures like that, this is for you. @heroballoonsdubai Be big kids You're never too old for the arcade, especially not for Loco Bear, where the possibilities are endless and the options too many to count. Indoor obstacle courses, bowling alleys, arcade games, virtual reality, ball pits, rock climbing, ziplining – you name it, they have it and it's like a wonderland you can get lost in for a whole day. Great thing is that it's all indoor, so matter the weather, the fun is guaranteed. @ Go rollerskating at RollDXB This has to be straight out of a romcom – RollDXB is a sweet vintage dream, with the discotheque music, the massive flashing disco ball and the colourful graffiti everywhere. You can bring your date here, occupy the rink for a rollerskating session and skate away together into the sunset. Doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you're already professional – we can help each other out. @rolldxb Put your heads together at an escape room Game Over features features 12 escape rooms, 11 meta-escape rooms which use VR headsets plus a board game cafe with more than 50 plus titles for board game fans. The escape rooms have been designed by professional animators and creators of dramatic alternative universes for films. If you and your date are into brain games, riddles and puzzles, this is it for you. Go tote bag and pouch painting Take it nice and slow with this fun, artsy activity at afterwork studios – the space holds workshops for tote bag and pouch painting, another keepsake you can. take away with you at the end of the date. They offer all the materials you need, from the bags and the canvas to the paint and even mirrors to paint on. Relax and get to know each other as you paint away. @ Go to a cat cafe (if that's your thing) If you and your date are cat people (which everyone should be), then chilling at a cat cafe and getting to know each other surrounded by cats can be a great idea. Meowtropolis Cat Café is located in JLT and and has not only some of the cutest cats you'll ever see but also an extensive menu of coffee, tea, milkshakes and other specialty beverages. The drill is that you choose a package from the five different kinds with different time windows and beverage options and you're all set. @meowtropoliscatcafe Catch an arthouse flick We know we said we're straying away from the boring standard here, but Cinema Akil comes loaded with vintage charm and atypical movies that will create oodles of conversation between you and your date. Each month they have a fantastic line-up of classics and new flicks – choose one, settle in and enjoy. You can also catch the Franco Film Festival before it ends this week. There's loads to do in Alserkal Avenue post your movie as well. @cinemaakil Go to a coffee shop rave Coffee shop raves are the rage, an emerging a trend of essentially sober parties where the cool currency of the night is a cup of artisanal joe. The formula is simple – a visually aesthetic location, a high-octane DJ with a playlist of the most popular house music mix right now under his belt and of course, coffee, and BOOM. Head over for a day of dance, caffeine and a lot of fun – perfect for an unconventional pair. Read all about Dubai's coffee shop raves here. Get into pottery Nothing like a calming pottery session to create some chemistry, especially if you and your date like fun activities or learning new skills. Keepsakes are always sweet to take away from dates and CRN Art Design offers two pottery techniques for two age groups, including the basics of ceramics using different hand-building techniques as well as the wheel. Explore stunning digital art Arte Museum by the masterminds at digital media design company, d'strict is already renowned around the world. And you can find the magical multi-sensory experience here in Dubai at Dubai Mall. Armed with a fully-charged phone, make your way around 13 immersive spaces ending your journey at the tea bar which also comes with a pretty floral immersive experience. @artemuseum_dubai Go on a street food tour of Dubai We all know the fancy-pants restaurants of Dubai, with the big chandeliers and high ceilings and expensive menus, but the the city has some of the most incredible, local, homegrown and streetside eateries, little cafeterias in nooks and corners that offer real soul food. Follow our street food map of Dubai here and go on a sweet street food hop – involves a nice long car ride and the potential for karak . What's not to like?
What's On
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
15 new date 'day' ideas for fun dates in Summer 2025
More fun ideas for dates that don't suck… We've established that date 'days' are actually the better version of date 'nights'. Fun activities you and your date can do together instead of just sitting mute in a movie theatre or making painful small talk over dinner. Nail the planning game with these ideas and thank us later when you ride off into the sunset. Make personalised charm keepsakes The Charm Bar is your one-stop-shop for all things charm and cheer related. Here, you can build your own charm bracelets and necklaces, and even create charm accessories for your shoes, bags, keychains and more. Basically, personalise anything and everything. It's a super fun way to bond, get to know each other in a whimsical way and take away a keepsake to remember the date. @thecharmbarofficial Go swinging Swingers Dubai is spread over an impressive 22,000 square feet and two floor. It boasts three crazy golf courses, with different vibes in each. Check out the Hot Air Balloon, the Waterwheel and the Clocktower courses each with fun moving obstacles, and stunning decor and friendly competition. Get together, take a swing, get competitive and end the night with some great food. @swingers_uae Learn some woodworking at The Makers Society The Makers Society is a quiet, peaceful environment, stillness and silence in the air as you work away. It's a great way to bond over the beauty of learning a new skill and enough space for you to get real with each other. This spot offers not just beginners classes, but also courses for you to get the low down on woodworking, so if it becomes your thing, you'll keep coming back together. @dubaimakerssociety Go deep sea diving Perhaps a bit intense, but if you and your date are adventure sport lovers, then this is the one for you. Deep Dive Dubai is the world's deepest diving pool, reaching up to a 60-metre depth and containing 14,000,000 litres of fresh water. You're provided everything you need from start to finish, from the wetsuit to an expert diving instructor who'll guide you no matter what level you are on. It's great for both beginners and professionals, and you and your date can explore the different levels of the sunken underwater city. @deepdivedubai Soar away in a hot air balloon If your lot is a bit more fun and experimental, a hot air balloon experience may be très fun. Hero Balloon Flights has a luxurious hot air balloon ride, complete with a scenic ride in the latest Land Rover Defender 130, a mesmerising drone show to begin the day, a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an in-flight falcon show and a gourmet breakfast inspired by the ancient Greek philosophy of the Four Elements. If you're extravagant in your gestures like that, this is for you. @heroballoonsdubai Be big kids You're never too old for the arcade, especially not for Loco Bear, where the possibilities are endless and the options too many to count. Indoor obstacle courses, bowling alleys, arcade games, virtual reality, ball pits, rock climbing, ziplining – you name it, they have it and it's like a wonderland you can get lost in for a whole day. Great thing is that it's all indoor, so matter the weather, the fun is guaranteed. @ Go rollerskating at RollDXB This has to be straight out of a romcom – RollDXB is a sweet vintage dream, with the discotheque music, the massive flashing disco ball and the colourful graffiti everywhere. You can bring your date here, occupy the rink for a rollerskating session and skate away together into the sunset. Doesn't matter if you're just starting out or you're already professional – we can help each other out. @rolldxb Put your heads together at an escape room Game Over features features 12 escape rooms, 11 meta-escape rooms which use VR headsets plus a board game cafe with more than 50 plus titles for board game fans. The escape rooms have been designed by professional animators and creators of dramatic alternative universes for films. If you and your date are into brain games, riddles and puzzles, this is it for you. Go tote bag and pouch painting Take it nice and slow with this fun, artsy activity at afterwork studios – the space holds workshops for tote bag and pouch painting, another keepsake you can. take away with you at the end of the date. They offer all the materials you need, from the bags and the canvas to the paint and even mirrors to paint on. Relax and get to know each other as you paint away. @ Go to a cat cafe (if that's your thing) If you and your date are cat people (which everyone should be), then chilling at a cat cafe and getting to know each other surrounded by cats can be a great idea. Meowtropolis Cat Café is located in JLT and and has not only some of the cutest cats you'll ever see but also an extensive menu of coffee, tea, milkshakes and other specialty beverages. The drill is that you choose a package from the five different kinds with different time windows and beverage options and you're all set. @meowtropoliscatcafe Catch an arthouse flick We know we said we're straying away from the boring standard here, but Cinema Akil comes loaded with vintage charm and atypical movies that will create oodles of conversation between you and your date. Each month they have a fantastic line-up of classics and new flicks – choose one, settle in and enjoy. There's loads to do in Alserkal Avenue post your movie as well. Find March's full schedule here. @cinemaakil Go to a coffee shop rave Coffee shop raves are the rage, an emerging a trend of essentially sober parties where the cool currency of the night is a cup of artisanal joe. The formula is simple – a visually aesthetic location, a high-octane DJ with a playlist of the most popular house music mix right now under his belt and of course, coffee, and BOOM. Head over for a day of dance, caffeine and a lot of fun – perfect for an unconventional pair. Read all about Dubai's coffee shop raves here. Get into pottery Nothing like a calming pottery session to create some chemistry, especially if you and your date like fun activities or learning new skills. Keepsakes are always sweet to take away from dates and CRN Art Design offers two pottery techniques for two age groups, including the basics of ceramics using different hand-building techniques as well as the wheel. Explore stunning digital art Arte Museum by the masterminds at digital media design company, d'strict is already renowned around the world. And you can find the magical multi-sensory experience here in Dubai at Dubai Mall. Armed with a fully-charged phone, make your way around 13 immersive spaces ending your journey at the tea bar which also comes with a pretty floral immersive experience. @artemuseum_dubai Go on a street food tour of Dubai We all know the fancy-pants restaurants of Dubai, with the big chandeliers and high ceilings and expensive menus, but the the city has some of the most incredible, local, homegrown and streetside eateries, little cafeterias in nooks and corners that offer real soul food. Follow our street food map of Dubai here and go on a sweet street food hop – involves a nice long car ride and the potential for karak . What's not to like?
