I am under the impression that the face lifted defender is only available as a 7 seater - i.e. the boot has only two seats. Is it really so? and if so why on earth?

The ability to seat 9 is at least to me one of the best sides of my 2002 defender. It's really great during the hunting season or when moving kids & their friends around.

Yep it's true, the SW has 2 foreward facing seats in the rear. I have some sales brouchures at work, I'll see if there is an option for bench seats.

It does seem a little odd, but I've noticed nearly all modern vehicles these days have major design issues!

Side Facing seats do not pass Safety Testing for Crashes and so no longer can be installed by manufacturers,
There are Huge benefits to lots of users of the occasional seats being bench type, So I'm sure the aftersales market will do a boom in converting the back end of SW to Bench seats again.

Well that would certainly account for the reason behind it.

Im still not convinced on what the minimum is to qualify for a side facing deat though. The Series used to just have a mat, would you get away with that in a Defender though?

asked mechanic at mot centre bout this few weeks ago
seems its the latest new and improved automotive idea from europe
as of march this year side facing seats dont meet safety regs.
vehicles made before this date arent affected but i dont think your allowed to fit them in new vehicle as it would be an mot failure and would invalidate youre insurance.
if you got stopped worse case scenario would be seizure on the spot of vehicle and it would be crushed under new power traffic cops got last year,to deal with unroad worthy/uninsured vehicle
although most likely a 21 day ticket if not carrying passengers
if carrying passengers in an illegally modified vehicle its goodbye license and possibly hello prison
on the up side you may be able to fit 4th row seats same as 3rd row and opt for 3 seats in front row instead of cubby box
giving you 10

ps could be wrong as its only word of mouth from mot tester at local garage but best check with swansea id do it in righting as well as by phone that way youve got proof of there reply if you get go ahead