I have been browsing the Defender forums for some time, repaired Army 110's for 20 years, ride motorcycles since 1985 most of them with ABS,
My current drive is a Suzuki Grand Vitara...it has ABS, Stability Control (ESC) and Traction control as well as seat belts, and air bags.
I do not believe in the argument that having all these electronic safety aids makes you a worse driver because the nut behind the wheel will rely on these technologies as opposed to making them a better driver...you can't read the road 100% of the time...things happen that will affect the vehicles stability and cause the rear end to loose traction.
ESC is fantastic, it applies the rear breaks too point the vehicle too where the driver wants it to go, not where the forces of inertia want the vehicle to go.
Yes you can push the car harder in the dirt and rely on the stability control as an advantage, but when I buy a 110 defender next year i know i will not be able to drive the LR the same way as the Suzuki GV.
At the end of the day....these safety devices are there to save lives...if even once in 10 years they have done their job.
I have these constant arguments with motorcycle riders in the US who think removing the ABS on their motor cycles makes the bikes stop sooner....perhaps only in controlled breaking conditions...not for emergency stops when deer or roos jump out in front to you.
Does the technology make the vehicle safer for 90% or driving...yes
Can I disable the ABS & ESC when going off road...sure...just disconnect one of the ABS sensors, works well with the GV, not sure with the 110.
