Land Rover Perentie

The Land Rover Perentie[1] is a nickname for the Land Rover 110 produced by JRA Limited for the Australian Army, and part manufactured and assembled in Moorebank, New South Wales, during the 1980s and 1990s. There were two build contracts; the first was in 1988 and the second a decade later. The Perentie was based on the Land Rover Defender 110, and was introduced in 1987 to replace the ageing fleet of Series 2A and 3 Land Rovers.

The Land Rover Perenties were produced in 4x4 and 6x6 variants and powered by an Isuzu 3.9-litre four-cylinder 4BD1 diesel engine or 4BD1-T turbo (see List of Isuzu engines). They have proven themselves both in Australia and on operations overseas, including in Somalia, Timor Leste, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.[2]

Design

The major differences between the Land Rover Perentie and British Land Rovers are the relocation of the spare wheel to a position under the rear of the load area, a galvanised chassis and the Isuzu engine. The original army contract called for a variety of unusual features including being able to sustain being hung from a helicopter by one corner without causing the chassis to distort. The 6x6 version has a wider cab and load-sharing leaf-sprung rear axles. The 6x6 also has a turbocharger. The original order was for 2,500 4x4 and 400 6x6 vehicles between 1987 and 1990, while further vehicles were later added under Project Bushranger. All vehicles were equipped with black-out and convoy lighting circuitry. The 6X6 Perentie has a wheelbase from front axle to second axle of 3040mm (119.7"), to rear axle of 3940mm (155").[3][4]

History

The name Perentie originates from Land Rover's successful tender to Project Perentie,[5] which was the official Australian Army trial to select new 1 and 2-tonne light vehicles. During the Project Perentie trials the Land Rover/Isuzu 110 and 6x6 variants were compared against the Jeep AM10, the Mercedes-Benz 300GD and the Unimog, while the Toyota Land Cruiser was evaluated two years later. The origins of the name comes from the Perentie (Varanus giganteus) lizard species, which is the largest goanna lizard native to Australia.

As of February 2013 the Perenties are being disposed of, with the remaining in-service units being replaced by Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens under Project Land 121.[6][7]

The Defender has proven to be vulnerable to land mines and improvised explosive devices

Variants

See also

• Land Rover Wolf
• Land Rover 1/2 ton Lightweight
• Land Rover Defender

External links