It’s been over 20 years since new Land Rover Defenders were sold in the US. The last of the previous generation, which had been around since roughly the Cretaceous Period, rolled off an English assembly line nearly three years ago. You can find these, the D90 (short wheelbase) and D110 (long wheelbase) used in the States, but if it runs properly and at least some of the lights work (pretty sure fully functioning electronics was only an option on those models), you’re still probably looking at north of $100,000.
To drive a Defender meant to quickly come to terms with what the vehicle was designed to do, with a ruthless, single-minded focus: drive over nasty, shitty, awful terrain, and not have any of the crucial bits break. To make that a reality, few crucial bits existed. Things like windshield wipers, a horn, stereo, climate control, are all *technically* attached to Defenders built right up until a few years ago, but they’re really more suggestive of a concept, rather than the thing itself.
Roads were not the Defender’s strong point. Comfort not particularly important to the designers. These things are tools, there to do a job, one which they excel at with a priceless kind of pluck.
But selling a rig with all the seeming complexity of a postwar Jeep for six figures in 2019 and beyond is a tall order. So, finally, after months, years really, of speculation, Land Rover is on the verge of releasing the newest generation of Defender, one that looks modern and possibly recognizable as a 21st-century truck in terms of upgrades, but still ready to drive into Mordor and back if that’s where your map points.
Land Rover has made it clear that they are not overly softening their flagship vehicle just to appeal a bit more to the mall-crawling crowd. These rigs are for people who drive into the undrivable parts of the world. The new ones promise to do that too, but also have windows that seal. And AC, probably.
So, as part of what, if true, is a staggering test load—Land Rover claims to be putting the new Defender through more than 45,000 tests to be sure they can still drive through a brick wall, then tow those crushed bricks through a barnyard—the new Defender has been assisting a Kenyan elephant conservation group called the Tusk Trust. Land Rover has actually lent their vehicles to the trust for 15 years.
For this test, the new Defender tracked lion prides, towed supplies in support of elephant researchers, drove through rivers, hauled heavy trailers, and drove over whatever the hell the engineers wanted. Within reason, of course.
Land Rover says the Defender will be available in the US in 2020. Specs haven’t been revealed yet. Test drives outside the biased hands of Land Rover have yet to be done. Or published anyway.
Finally, however, real, honest-to-god pics have been revealed. The paint scheme still obscures some details, but the bones are apparent.
Photos courtesy Land Rover.
Adventure Journal doesn’t accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid reviews. Here’s why.
The AJ staff is smaller than you think. Here’s a peek behind the scenes.
Here’s why Adventure Journal was launched and how we follow ethical business and publishing practices.
Adventure Journal in print is like Adventure Journal online x 100—and print stories can only be found there. Subscribe to get it now—we guarantee you’ll love it.
Looks like a rebadged LR3 TO ME!
Is that such a bad thing? The Discovery series was always intended for those who wanted 8/10ths of the Defender capabilities and some semblance of comfort. Until the D5, styling always was a reflection of their icon vehicle. IMO, it’s attractive and if it can be had for under US$50k, I’d consider it.
I do not like the look of it. They should’ve kept the original going with a very minor updates. It looks like something a soccer-mom would drive. All the ruggedness is gone. Too bad because I was really looking forward to buying one but now that I know what it somewhat looks like forget it! I’d rather go down to Mexico and buying one they made a few years ago. They still look like something made for us guys! These will definitely be selling amongst the female demographics like the Hummer H2.
It would be great if the discovery went back to the days of not appealing to the mall crowd, the new one looks terrible in my opinion.
Looks like a 90’s Montero.
They ruined it!!
Can we just send it back, like the Sonic movie???? You absolutely desecrated the Defender….no wonder JLR stock has tanked the last few years. It’s being regurgitated and spit back up….this is gut wrenching
Ruined one of the greatest SUVs of all time!
Looks like LR4 , sorry to say !
I don’t like it.
IFS rear end is a far cry from solid, coil sprung axles with lockers. Alas, at least there is still the Toyota 70 series….
Wow, reading these comments is sad. Right off the bat most of them are negative to something they cannot even fully see yet. Also, things must change, and LR is doing a great job to make things of now and to live up to tradition. Can’t wait for this.a
Welcome to the internet, where people first hate then think. As a Wrangler owner, I embrace the competition. I hope it sells well and the next surgery in gas prices doesn’t kill it.
Looks like they bought a Suzuki samurai an rebadged it
Like the video. The new Defender will not be the legendary Defender of the past.
Sorry, I have a 2000 110 and that car is a beauty!!! This is just another SUV,might be good, might be reliable but nothing come close to the original! Jeep has dome a much better job in keeping the style in their remakes and updates…this one is not really what we would have hope for.
Does the snorkel come standard? I think I see one on the drivers side.
Oh dear,
Its a Rav 4 from the back, dare I say, a FordFlex/4runner crossbreed from the front and perhaps a H3 from the side.
Perhaps we should just hand the whole thing over to TATA and skip the middle man.
I am sure it will grow on me but I just cannot figure out why they wouldn’t just round the corners a bit on old body style and modernize interior, more powerful engine like Ford turbocharged 6.7 Diesel and improve safety – gold mine! People wouldn’t care about the gas mileage or price – they would be selling like hotcakes! This looks like an attempt to rival a Wrangler. Still love body lines of my L322 Range Rover – sharp forms & tall windows.
Too late Land Rover. Im keeping my beloved 1995 110. Just bought an Isuzu Dmax. with its great 3lt motor to do the towing work.
I’ve got a feeling I will love the short wheel base. Peeps are being too critical as usual.
Aden,
This is the reason for the comment section. Why can’t YOU just let people give their opinions? Why does everyone have to agree with you? Have you noticed anyone here say “I can’t believe all these people here saying positive things about the new Defender” or “ Wow, right off the bat it’s so sad that the comments are all positive”?
Maybe you should try going to a site that likes to censor the negative comments that people leave. It’s unbelievable these days that no one can have their own opinion and post just that on a website anymore!
Looks like it was built using all the bits left over in Landrovers stockroom . Why pander to the whims of the Chelsea tractor set and forget the die hard Defender owners? Opportunity missed again .!!!
Fantastic, there’s going to be a viable bush orientated replacement for the Lr4… I think it’ll be an awesome vehicle!! Hope we get a reasonable tyre choice though, Cant wait to see the unveiled version