The Next Land Rover Defender Might Not Be Here Until 2019
Amid much fanfare last month, the last ever Land Rover Defender rolled off the production line. But, amid all the celebrations, farewell articles and the slightly excessive outpourings of grief, one serious question remained: just what will Land Rover replace the thing with?
Indecision over a replacement led to the old Defender being produced for much longer than it really should have been, and it also means we’ll have to wait a while before a new Defender arrives. A Jaguar Land Rover source suggested to Autocar that the new vehicle could be available in 2018, but the publication seems to think this is more likely the debut year for a near-production concept, and that 2019 is more likely for the full production version.
Exactly what kind of car we’ll get (the DC100 concept above, originally intended to preview the next Defender, appeared way back in 2011) is still unknown. An aluminium monocoque chassis is expected, and it seems likely that construction will take place in JLR’s Slovakia factory, which will open in 2018.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Please don’t even make it similar to this concept…
Why not? It has the looks of a defender but with a ore modern sauce
Damn, it really is impossible to please everyone. I simply love it!
It reminds me of the Skoda Yeti lol.
Agree. Nothing worse than a hardcore off-roader with a bubbly round design. This is why I love the G-class and it’s refusal to update to modern looks. It looks like a true off-roader, even though it is no longer used as such anymore… at least not that much. F*ck pedestrian safety.
Meanwhile the g class remains the ballers car of choice
Yeah, it takes a lot of effort to replace a legend, so i dont mind waiting
Aluminium monocoque makes sense in the modern world but what defined the Defender was the iconic indestructible box section steel chassis.
So it would be better to sell the upcoming suv under a different name since its obvious the Defender has no equal
I do like the design but it’s just not really like a defender anymore. Personally i think the original 110 is cooler
The new Defender looks a lot like the new Jeep.
Landrover, we will NOT mind the wait.
Just make it worthwhile ;)
That looks like the Range Rover Sport and the old Land Rover had a love child that didn’t turn out quite right (at all!). I hope they keep Land Rovers and Range Rovers looking like different companies completely and keep some heritage in the looks of the Land Rover when it gets released again in 2018.
The only reason they stopped making the original defender is because the emissions were to high. Surely they could have just fitted that model with more eco friendly engines?
Hope there’ll be a 110 version, i prefered it over the 90… my only problem is the profile, it’s good lookin’ and the rims are no exception, but that must be atleast 21”…