After 67 years in production, Land Rover has announced that it will be phasing out the iconic Defender SUV. While the Defender hasn’t been sold in the U.S. since 1997, it will end its production in the U.K. by January 2016.
Thankfully, Land Rover has already confirmed that the Defender will be getting a successor. After giving the vehicle a complete overhaul, the all-new Defender is set to be introduced in 2018 and released in time for the 2019 model year.
“When this vehicle comes out, people will know it’s a Defender, it’s a modern Defender,” Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director, told Automotive News. McGovern also revealed that the upcoming Defender will not resemble the Defender concepts that have been previously revealed.
When the 2019 Land Rover Defender is released, it will be wedged in between the luxurious Range Rover and the more practical Discovery line.
Land Rover has also announced that the all-new Defender will be released in four body styles.
The first two would be two-door models – one likely to be a hard top vehicle and the other may be a convertible. These two models could replace the Defender 90 model.
The third body style would be a four-door model with a longer wheelbase and have a seating capacity of up to eight passengers. This model may replace the Defender 110.
The last two models would be pick-up variants – a two-door and a four-door. The pick-up variants aren’t expected to arrive in the U.S.
At this point, the design and technical details for the upcoming Defender are still kept under wraps. For its powertrain options, it is said that the Defender will be powered by four-cylinder and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. It will also come as a four-wheel drive.
Meanwhile, Land Rover will be auctioning off the Land Rover Defender 2,000,000. It is the 2 millionth Defender to be produced and will come with one-of-a-kind and unique features including a bespoke 2,000,000 badge mark, special upholstery showing where the first Land Rover was drawn in the sand and a special plaque. This special Defender model was created by the Special Vehicles Operations team.
The Land Rover 2,000,000 will be auctioned off this Dec. 16 in London and proceeds will be donated to Land Rover’s supported charities – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Born Free Foundation.
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