Clash of the Icons
By Kits Aragon • Sep 23rd, 2008 • Category: Features •
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This is a virtual off-road duel between 2 legends in the history of 4-wheeling. Pitted against each other are each make’s local current flagship models. Land Rover’s 2008 Defender 110 Station Wagon versus its Yankee counterpart, the 2008 Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.
Our goal is to determine which 4×4 will perform better in an off-road jaunt. All data gathered came from the makers’ published specs and media articles. Hopefully this will serve as a prelude to a physical face-off between these 2 automotive icons.
The Landie and Rubie will try to better each other in 8 different stages. Let’s get it on!
STAGE 1
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Exterior Offroad Dynamics |
Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| 253 mm | Ground Clearance Lowest Point |
314 mm |
| 44.4 | Approach Angle | 49 |
| 20.8 | Break-Over Angle | 28 |
| 40.5 | Departure Angle | 35 |
The Land Rover makes it through the trail relatively unscathed. While the Unlimited is limited by it’s lower and longer stance leaving slivers of plastic and metal behind.
Stage 1 Winner
STAGE 2
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Maneuverability | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculating ball with damper | Steering Type | Power-assisted Worm & Roller |
| 12.25 m | Turning Diameter | 14.36 m |
| 116" / 2,945 mm | Wheelbase | 110" / 2,794 mm |
Jeep has the longer wheelbase of the 2 but it’s tighter turning circle makes it suitable for narrow trails.
Stage 2 Winner
STAGE 3
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Engine Performance | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 liter | Engine Displacement | 2.4 liter |
| 146 kW @ 5000 | Horsepower | 90 kW @ 3500 |
| 315 Nm @ 4000 | Torque | 360 Nm @ 2200 |
The Rubie’s got the horses but the Rover’s got the pull. Even Steven.
Stage 3 Winner
STAGE 4
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Fuel Efficiency | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| 84 liters | Fuel Tank Capacity | 75 liters |
| 6.8 km/l | Fuel Economy Combined | 9.06 km/l |
The Wrangler has the larger tank. Rightfully so ’cause it’s an obscene guzzler. During these times MPG/KPL counts! The fuel stingy Defender wins!
Stage 4 Winner
STAGE 5
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Creeping Capability | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| 4.46 | 1st Gear Ratio | 5.43 |
| 4.1 | Differential Ratio | 3.54 |
| 4.1 | Transfer Case Low Range |
3.27 |
| 75 | Crawl Ratio | 63 |
Crawl ratio is determined by the combined performance of 1st, differential, and low-range gears. Jeepers creepers, the Rubicon’s the better crawler.
Stage 5 Winner
STAGE 6
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Water Crossing | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| 482 mm | Fording Depth | 500 mm |
The Landie makes it to the other side. Leaving the Rubie dead in the water.
Stage 6 Winner
STAGE 7
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Traction | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| A/T | Tire Tread Type | H/T |
| Tru-Lock F&R Locking Diff |
Traction Aiding Device | ETC Electronic Traction Control |
Differential lockers outperform electronic braking on any given day. Selectable and on-demand lockers give an off-roader sole control of his destiny. Jeep gives the wheel back to the driver.
Stage 7 Winner
STAGE 8
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Suspension | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| Live Axle Multi-link Coil | Front | Live Axle Multi-link Coil |
| Live Axle Multi-link Coil | Rear | Live Axle Multi-link Coil |
| ASBS Active Sway Bar System |
Pluses / Features | Long Travel Suspension |
The ASBS disconnects the front sway bar allowing more suspension stroke and articulation. All it takes is a push of a button. ASBS is a stroke of genius by Jeep.
Stage 8 Winner
The Final Tally
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Stage | Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Exterior Dynamics | 1 |
| 1 | Maneuverability | 0 |
| 0.5 | Engine Performance | 0.5 |
| 0 | Fuel Efficiency | 1 |
| 1 | Creeping Capability | 0 |
| 0 | Water Crossing | 1 |
| 1 | Traction | 0 |
| 1 | Suspension | 0 |
| 4.5 | TOTAL | 3.5 |
By the slimmest of margins Jeep’s flagship emerges victorious!
The 4×4 Philippines Virtual Duel Winner
The Rubie brings home the virtual bacon!
Researched, written, and rendered by Kits Aragon.
Comments? Violent reactions? Please email freeman@4×4ph.com
Kits Aragon is also a contributing writer for Top Gear and C! He has been involved in the off-road scene since 1988, marketing aftermarket 4x4 products and conducting product orientation. He was the very first Filipino representative of the International Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia and formed the very first Filipino team to participate in it (RFC 2000). He is also known in the local automotive industry as a 4WD/off-road consultant, tuner, and trainer. Currently, he trains technicians for a North American automotive company.
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Great Article Kits!
First off, win or lose, God bless these two brands for still offering a solid-axle truely utilitarian 4×4. Hail to Jeep for winning by the hair on his chinny chin chin, and same praises to Land Rover for the very close second place.
This past few years, I have seen the disappointing disappearance of a true 4×4. 4×4’s have slowly become Luxury Vehicles, loosing the rough edge in favor of leather and dvd’s. They no longer see the trails, work the farms, as they are more commonly seen on major roads, becoming a businessman’s or politicians vehicle of choice. They have even become overly expensive, and the real people who need them find them too expensive to be practical. And yes, they have lost their 4 wheeling ability.
So win or lose, THANK GOD for Jeep and Land Rover for maintaining a TRUE, SOLID-AXLE, 4×4! With airconditioning and weatherproofing at the least!
Great one Kits!
Thank you for your praise and insights Mr. Azcobar!
Check out this for some practical reviews on LR vs other brand
http://www.reviewcentre.com/review35629.html
The article is a virtual comparo on how both vehicles may perform in off road conditions ONLY. Here the author (myself) put the Rubi only very slightly ahead of the Landie.
Overall, the Defender may be the more practical vehicle of the 2. It’s roomier (more passengers and cargo) and definitely more fuel efficient.
THIS comparison test is not very valid. for many reasons
lets look at water fording ability 482 for jeep 500 for landie thats a BIG 18MM the width of a thumb.. it gives no indication of how and where watermay get in to vunerable places.
the suspension system of the jeep is not a stroke of genius its a complicated solution to solve its short travel suspension problem . the simple landy is far better off road and less to go wrong.
“”"While the Unlimited is limited by it’s lower and longer stance leaving slivers of plastic and metal behind.”" you have the photos to prove that ? please place then on this site.
just as a point of interest how many Land Rover 110’s are sold each year in the Philippines?? if less than 10 the comparison is relevent to who??
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