LAND Rover's Defender utility 4x4 range is to be offered with a five-cylinder direct injection turbodiesel engine from January, and 1999 model year Range Rovers receive improvements. The Td5 engine, also fitted in the new Discovery, develops 129bhp at 4,200rpm and maximum torque of 300Nm at 1,950rpm - 9% more power and 13% more torque than the Tdi engine previously used in Defenders.

The change means prices go up by £475 on most Defender Td5s, starting at £17,470 on-the-road for the 90 Pick Up and rising to £26,850 for the 130 Crew Cab. The 110 County Station Wagon Td5 costs £23,560. Revisions to the Range Rover include increased torque versions of the Thor V8 4.0- and 4.6-litre petrol engines, the addition of four-wheel electronic traction control and side airbags as standard, plus cosmetic upgrades. Range Rover prices now start at £39,640 for the 2.5 DT model, a rise of £840. The range-topping 4.6 HSE costs £51,165, up £865.