Catch a fleeting glimpse of the 2021 Matzker md4 from any angle, and everyone is moved. But, take a moment to appreciate this vehicle with its bold graphics, exterior roll cage, growling snorkel, aggressive Cooper MTs, and towering stance, the md4 is a symphony of emotions only Matzker can orchestrate.
Leaping back in time, Matzker, in Cologne, Germany, first went into business civilising de-mobbed Defenders from the British Army of the Rhine. Some of those vehicles didn’t actually make it into civvy streets but were, instead, engineered for desert rallies…and they were winners. A brand was born. The benchmark set.
When Land Rover introduced the New Defender, it was received with mixed feelings. I have to admit, I was filled with reservation myself until I actually sat behind the wheel and drove it the way its creators intended. Ignore the soft lines of the bodywork, the feel-good interior, and the abundant electronics that could theoretically strike in the middle of nowhere. The fact is, the New Defender is a 21st century car built to conform with legislation the makers would never have dreamt up on their own. Having said that, Land Rover has created a car that is just as much at home on a school run as it is crossing the Kalahari or climbing the side of a volcano.
So, what is the Matzker md4 exactly? This particular car is built on the 110 Defender D240 SE fitted with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel, producing 240 PS (237 BHP) and 430 Nm of torque. Modifications include:
ENGINE
Matzker TR5-D240 performance kit coaxes up to 25 PS and 50 Nm more between 1,900 and 3,200 RPM.
On pavement The additional power equates to a more relaxed highway driving along with improved overtaking and towing performance.
Off road The extra torque available at mid-range revs makes the Defender even more capable when navigating difficult terrain such as up steep slopes, glutinous mud, or soft sand—gear changes are smooth with constant delivery of maximum torque to maintain the vehicle’s momentum.
ELECTRONIC HANDLING AND OFF-ROAD KIT
This upgrade comes with a new three-way switch on the right side of the steering column, and gives you even more control of the adjustable-height air suspension.
On pavement You can now lower the vehicle by an additional 28 mm for improved economy at highway speeds. Reduced body roll and improved road holding at high speeds on twisting mountain roads makes for more lively driving while, at the same time, extending the parameters before the dynamic stability programmes intervene.
Off road The ride height can be increased by 30 mm over stock, thus improving ground clearance, and approach, departure and ramp angles.
UNDERBODY PROTECTION
Manufactured from 8 mm aeronautical aluminium plate, the underbody protection kit offers full protection to the the drive train, fuel and AdBlue tanks, lambda probe, and includes rock sliders which protect the sills along with the compressed air tanks for the suspension.
An additional accessory which can be fitted on request, is a concealed winch behind the front bumper.
WHEELS & TYRES
Braid Winrace 8 x 18” fitted with Cooper Discoverer STT Pro 265/60 R18.
ROLL CAGE
Developed in cooperation with RE-Suspension, this exterior roll cage has elements of Camel Trophy and Safety Devices written all over it. Beautifully manufactured using Cr-Mo 4, this material is roughly 50% lighter than stainless steel and has an enormously high density of 7.72 (kg/dm³).
This is a first for the new Defender and offers additional features including:
Maxtrax mountings
Rooftop mount for spare wheel
Side accessory mount with airline slot configuration
Side mount with two canisters
Front light bar
SNORKEL
Matzker design, manufactured in black powder-coated stainless steel and equipped with a cyclone air filter.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
I drove the md4 from Cologne to Hamburg on the highway. With the suspension in its lowest position, the drive was pleasantly firm and predictable through long fast curves. The engine was responsive and spritely when it came to lane changes and overtaking. But I wasn’t pushing the car by any means.
After a night on a camping site, I met with a friend in his (old) 110 Defender, and we took to the Trans Euro Trail with our sights set on the Danish border. This is where the md4 could prove itself. Driving on different surfaces including asphalt, concrete, loose gravel, forest trails, and deep mud, the additional 30 mm of height provided extra ground clearance. Most notable was the torque at low speeds when the tyres began to sink into the soft wet ground—constant power to the ground with no wheel spin. Admittedly, the Land Rover electronics are eager to get involved as soon as one or two wheels threaten to turn at different speed to the others, but having the extra grunt low down encouraged me to go back to the muddy sections several times to experiment in deeper morass.
The suspension provided a smooth ride and responded well when the car landed after being airborne on a fast forest section.
CONCLUSION
If you are going to drive the md4, then you’re going to have to put up with a lot of stares from bystanders. This car stands out from the crowd.
The driving experience on and off the road is predictable at all times. The tyre tread has a distinct hum to it, and the external roll cage develops some wind noise at speed…but, so do roof racks. On the subject of roof racks, you can still mount a rooftop tent on the cage.
The md4 is ideal for overlanding. With water canisters on the passenger side, and a panel on the driver’s side of the car to fix either accessories or a storage box, plus the ability to carry an extra spare wheel on the roof, the interior is free to carry all the other gear, clothing, and supplies you might need on the journey. Good ride height and extra torque are great assets to have when exploring remote terrain and fording rivers.
Matzker have again taken something good and made it even better.
