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.

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