After 68 years, 2015 marks the final year of U.K. production of the
Land Rover Defender,and
Land Rover is celebrating its iconic off-roader with a limited run of
three different special editions of the Defender. Called Autobiography,
Heritage, and Adventure, these models will be available in limited
numbers and will be available only in the U.K. starting this spring.
The Autobiography edition Defender is a luxury-focused version of the
usually rugged and utilitarian
SUV, featuring a full Windsor leather interior, with upgraded aluminum
interior accents, including the dials and climate controls. While all
three special editions are powered by Land Rover’s 2.2 liter
four-cylinder diesel engine, the Autobiography edition features a
healthy power and torque boost, going from 120 hp to 148 hp, and 265 ft
lbs to 295 ft lbs of torque. The Autobiography is available with
special, dual-color paint options, and is only available in the Defender
90 Station Wagon layout. Pricing begins at £61,845 ($93,536) and is
limited to a scant 80 units.
For those Land Rover enthusiasts seeking nostalgia,
the Heritage Edition Defender is a retro-inspired special edition aimed
at evoking the earliest days of the icon. Available only in the
legendary Grasmere Green with a contrasting Alaska White roof, the
Heritage Edition features a retro front grille with classic Land Rover
badging, and unique “HUE 166” side graphics, a reference to the
registration plate on the very first production Defender, nicknamed
‘Huey’, in 1948. The Heritage Edition is shod with heavy-duty steel
wheels, and features a few upgraded leather trimmings on the interior.
The Heritage Edition can be had as a Defender 90 Hard Top, a Defender 90
Station Wagon, and a Defender 110 Station Wagon. Pricing starts at
£27,800 ($42,045), and is limited to 400 units.
The Adventure Edition Defender is the most capable of
the new commemorative trio. Fitted with additional underbody protection
for rocky terrain and large Goodyear MT/R all-terrain tires, the
Adventure Edition also comes standard with the Defender Expedition roof
rack, snorkel, and rear-access ladder. Those wishing to continue the
off-road fun after the sun sets will be happy to know the Adventure
Edition comes with upgraded Projector LED headlamps, and the Defender
‘Bright’ lighting package. The Adventure Edition shares some features
with the luxury-focused Autobiography Edition as well, with the full
Windsor leather interior upholstery package, and the same power bump for
Adventure Edition Defender 90 Station Wagons. This package is available
on the Defender 90 Station Wagon, and Defender 110 Station Wagon
variants. Prices for the Adventure Edition begin at £43,495 ($65,783),
and will be limited to 600 units.
The company also performed an interesting stunt to honor the end of the
incredible 68-year production run. Land Rover created a one-kilometer
outline of a Defender in the sands of Red Wharf Bay, where in 1948,
Maurice Wilks sketched the first outline of what came to be known as the
Defender into the beach sand. Six Defenders from various model
generations towed 12-foot-wide agricultural harrows in a coordinated
pattern, resulting in the largest sand drawing ever made in the U.K.
While
production of the Land Rover Defender is coming to a close in the U.K.,
the manufacturer has stated it is looking into the possibility of
extending the Defender lineup for overseas production, in non-European
or American markets. Facing stringent regulations in Europe, a
continuation of the Defender would only see production and sale in
outside markets, with India as a primary option.
Source AutoMobileMAg
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