Land Rover Celebrates Defender with Recreation of 1948 Production Line
The New Defender Tour has opened this week at the Land Rover Solihull plant to celebrate one of the world’s most iconic vehicles. The tour includes an innovative new visitor attraction replicating an original 1948 production line.
The display gives an insight into life on a car production line in late 1940’s as well as telling the story of the creation of the original Series I by Land Rover founder Maurice Wilks.
Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations John Edwards said, “Land Rover has a rich heritage based around the Series I and Defender models and we wanted to create something extra special that would give visitors and enthusiasts a unique insight into how it all started back in 1948” .
The new Defender factory tour lasts approximately three hours, beginning at the production process – the body shop. The bodies are manufactured prior to being shipped to paint. The tour continues in final assembly where visitors can see the engine and gearbox lowered onto the chassis and watch as the labour intensive process of assembling the painted body panels begins.
The Writtle family were among the first to visit, who are confessed Defender enthusiasts, between them owning 11 and have recently secured one of the Limited Edition Heritage Vehicles from the announced Celebration Series. “We were amazed how little the Defender manufacturing process has changed in the last six decades, with individual craftsmanship still at the heart of each vehicle produced”.
Barretts Land Rover #Hibernot Competition Win A Luxury Picnic Hamper!
As you may know Land Rover have launched #Hibernot again this winter to celebrate all those who embrace the British weather and the element of nature that others would happily avoid. The change of seasons provides an ideal opportunity to bring Land Rover’s capability to life in an interesting and engaging way.
Barretts Land Rover would like to ask all our customers to embrace the ‘get out there’ spirit and join us in celebrating #Hibernot. We need our customers to send us a short video or photo (mobile phone quality is fine) featuring anything you enjoy in the great outdoors. Any kinds of sports or enjoying a winter walk to even a winter BBQ. Anything – as long as it is winter fun!
We will combine our best videos into a compilation which will feature on our social media and will even be sent to Land Rover! The first entry we receive we will send a pair of Land Rover #Hibernot hand warmers.
Good luck and most important enjoy the winter and don’t hibernate. #Hibernot.
The best video or photo will win a luxury picnic hamper courtesy of Barretts Land Rover!
Email your entry: Jennifer.Law@Barrettsgroup.co.uk.
Do you need some winter ideas for you and the family? Visit www.Hibernot.co.uk, a website provided by Land Rover accumulating ideas from across the country on the best places to go in the winter!
Why not try the Great British Winter BBQ? Even in summer, Britain is famously unfriendly to BBQ’s – but in winter a BBQ can warm the frost from our fingers and everyone can enjoy a hearty meal cooked almost anywhere.
Last date for entries Friday 6th February 2015.
Barretts Land Rover in Kent
To be kept up to date with news, events or offers you can now follow us on Twitter: @KentLandRover or join us on Barretts Facebook Page
For more information on new or used Land Rover Cars please visit or call:
Barretts Land Rover Ashford
The Parade,
Orbital Business Park,
Ashford.
TN24 0NT Tel: 01233 506070
Barretts Land Rover Canterbury
Broad Oak Road,
Canterbury,
Kent.
CT2 7PQ Tel: 01227 475475
The New Land Rover Discovery Sport Has Arrived!
The new Land Rover Discovery Sport has arrived in our Ashford and Canterbury Showrooms and we would like to invite you to come and take a closer look at one of the most anticipated vehicles of the year.
The Discovery Sport features versatile 5+2 seating whilst retaining a small SUV footprint and doesn’t compromise on space. New Discovery Sport’s sleek, aerodynamic silhouette with legendary Land Rover capability and a flexible interior, add up to a great looking vehicle that does so much more.
This versatile SUV has already won many awards including, ‘What Car? Car of the Year 2015’ Safety Award for its unmatched provision of advanced systems to protect both those on board and pedestrians.
We think it’s exceptional but come and visit us and see for yourself.
You can also try building your own new Discovery Sport CLICK HERE.
Barretts Land Rover in Kent
To be kept up to date with news, events or offers you can now follow us on Twitter: @KentLandRover or join us on Barretts Facebook Page
For more information on new or used Land Rover Cars please visit or call:
Barretts Land Rover Ashford
The Parade,
Orbital Business Park,
Ashford.
TN24 0NT Tel: 01233 506070
Barretts Land Rover Canterbury
Broad Oak Road,
Canterbury,
Kent.
CT2 7PQ Tel: 01227 475475
With the release of the new Discovery Sport approaching, we thought it would be a great opportunity to celebrate 25 years of the Discovery. This Land Rover compilation video showcases the Discovery enjoyed by families and adventurers from across the globe, from snow to safari. Even when they get stuck – a Land Rover will struggle to admit defeat!
We look forward to many more years of Discovering.
Interested in the new Discovery Sport? The most versatile compact SUV with 5+2 seating and a generous and adaptable loadspace, the new Discovery Sport has been designed and engineered to meet any challenge.
Contact our Barretts Land Rover Sales Team who will be happy to help you.
Ashford 01233 506070
Canterbury 01227 475475 Barretts Land Rover in Kent
To be kept up to date with news, events or offers you can now follow us on Twitter: @KentLandRover or join us on Barretts Facebook Page
For more information on new or used Land Rover Cars please visit or call:
Barretts Land Rover Ashford
The Parade,
Orbital Business Park,
Ashford.
TN24 0NT Tel: 01233 506070
Barretts Land Rover Canterbury
Broad Oak Road,
Canterbury,
Kent.
CT2 7PQ Tel: 01227 475475
LAND ROVER LAUNCHES A YEAR OF DEFENDER CELEBRATIONS
Land Rover returns to the same beach in Anglesey used by Maurice Wilks, who sketched the first shape of the Land Rover into the sand 68 years ago.
Solihull will cease production of the current Defender by the end of 2015, but has announced a trio of Limited Edition models to celebrate the Defender story and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the model. To mark this announcement, a unique 1km Defender outline was crafted into the sand at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey using a fleet of six Land Rovers. The Defender outline is a tribute to the first sketch made by Maurice Wilks who proposed the idea to his brother, Spencer.
Maurice had a vision of a versatile vehicle that could double as a light tractor and an off-roader. His forward thinking design was christened the ‘Land Rover’ the outline of which we now recognise as the Defender.
The fleet of six vehicles had a short time frame in which to create the outline, a continuous 4.52km line – the length of 1,118 Defender 90 Station Wagons – into the sand before it was erased by the incoming tide.
Limited Edition Defenders
The three hotly anticipated limited edition Defender models celebrate a different element of the vehicle’s versatile character.
“We wanted to mark the end of Defender production at Solihull with a special edition, but coming up with a single identity was impossible, so we developed three very different interpretations of the Defender to reflect its strength and breadth of character.” Said Nick Rogers, Land Rover’s Vehicle Line Director. “Whether our customers want to celebrate Land Rover’s unrivalled off-road heritage, demand the ultimate in terms of design and performance or have a genuine thirst for adventure, there will be a limited edition Defender that will fit that purpose.”
Autobiography Edition promises more performance, luxury and comfort than ever before thanks to its comprehensive equipment list, unique duo-tone paintwork, full Windsor leather upholstery and a power upgrade from 122PS to 150PS. Available in the UK and Europe, the Autobiography Edition will be produced exclusively as a 90 Station Wagon. Available from April priced from £61,845
Heritage Edition is inspired by early Land Rover models and mixes nostalgic design cues with modern creature comforts. It will be available in global markets and is identified by distinctive Grasmere Green paintwork and a contrasting white roof. A heritage grille and HUE 166 graphics, recalling the registration plate of the first ever pre-production Land Rover nicknamed ‘Huey’, also identifying the Heritage model.
It hits showrooms from August priced from £27,800
Adventure Edition will be available in global markets and is aimed at Land Rover customers who relish the great outdoors and embrace the Defender’s ‘go anywhere, do anything’ attitude. It comes fitted with additional underbody protection and Goodyear MT/R tyres to boost the Defender’s already class-leading all-terrain capability. Unique decals and a leather trimmed cabin ensure the Adventure Editions stands out from the Defender crowd.
Also available from August priced from £43,495
Historical Timeline
1947 Land Rover project approved.
1948 The Land Rover is launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30th April.
1948 First Station Wagon introduced.
1949 British Army orders its first Land Rovers.
1950 Freewheel 4x4 system replaced by selectable two or four-wheel-drive.
1953 Long-wheelbase version introduced.
1957 Diesel engine introduced.
1958 Series II Land Rover unveiled with more refined styling.
1959 250,000th vehicle produced.
1961 Series IIA with 2.25 diesel.
1966 500,000th vehicle produced.
1968 Headlights move position to the front wings.
1970 Best year of sales with 56,663 vehicles retailed.
1971 Land Rover Series III launched; 750,000th Land Rover produced.
1976 1,000,000th Land Rover built.
1979 V8 engine option introduced in March.
1983 Land Rover goes coil sprung with introduction of One Ten.
1984 Land Rover Ninety introduced
1990 Land Rovers are re-launched and renamed Defender 90,110 and 130 with new 2.5 litre turbo-charged direct injection diesel engine.
1993 Land Rover North America follows up the success of the launch of the Defender 110 with the Defender 90 soft top.
2007 Major Defender evolution includes addition of six-speed gearbox.
2012 New 2.2 litre diesel engine replaces previous 2.4 litre unit.
2013 LXV Special Edition celebrates 65 years of Land Rover
Defender Production Line Tour and Celebratory Exhibit
Land Rover has launched a new visitor attraction at its Lode Lane factory in Solihull. A guided tour of the current Defender production line gives visitors the opportunity to witness every aspect of the production process first-hand while the exciting Celebration Line exhibit transports visitors back to 1948.
Tours cost £45 per person, available first come, first served basis. To arrange a visit to the home of the Land Rover legend call 0121 700 4619.
For more details on any of the Defender Special Edition models featured, please contact our Ashford or Canterbury showrooms and speak with a member of our Sales Team. Barretts Land Rover in Kent
To be kept up to date with news, events or offers you can now follow us on Twitter: @KentLandRover or join us on Barretts Facebook Page
For more information on new or used Land Rover Cars please visit or call:
Barretts Land Rover Ashford
The Parade,
Orbital Business Park,
Ashford.
TN24 0NT Tel: 01233 506070
Barretts Land Rover Canterbury
Broad Oak Road,
Canterbury,
Kent.
CT2 7PQ Tel: 01227 475475
.jpg)
