There is something unmistakably resolute about the modern Defender, a vehicle with the lineage of a warhorse, reborn in a world of touchscreen sophistication and plug-in promises. And this particular incarnation, the P400e X-Dynamic SE, clad in moody, muscular Carpathian Grey, doesn?t so much whisper its credentials as declare them confidently at the kerbside. Beneath the chiselled exterior, enhanced further by the Extended Black Pack and those ever practical, ever stylish classic mudflaps, beats the heart of a plug-in hybrid. The 2.0 petrol engine, assisted by an electric motor, delivers not only commendable power but a faint nod to ecological conscience. It is, in short, the Defender for a more complex, ambivalent age. Step inside and you're greeted with quiet, tailored luxury, heated elements and thoughtful detailing abound, thanks to the Cold Climate Pack. The 20 inch alloys ground it with authority, while the 165 point inspection ensures a level of assurance befitting a marque that has long been synonymous with rugged British reliability. With 41,011 miles under its belt, this Defender has matured and its infancy behind it, its prime ahead. A year?s Land Rover warranty and the delightful inclusion of a Land Rover Experience Day round off the offering with finesse. It is not just a vehicle, it is a declaration. For those who seek capability without compromise, and presence without pretense, this Defender stands tall, a brilliant, brooding brute with a thoroughly modern soul.