Land Rover continues to promote its new SUV vehicle called Defender. You may know that people from Land Rover have recently done some tests on a new off-road vehicle in Africa, specifically in the Tusk Park, located in Kenya.
The team that worked on additional testing was at Borana Conservancy in the past few weeks. In order for the British automaker to convince all potential customers of the quality of their new vehicle, this week-long testing took place in an area of 14,000 hectares, and the focus was on the durability of the new Defender. Simply, the JLR intends to present its new 4×4 vehicle in the best possible way.
However, most of you would like to know more details about the new Defender, and we can tell you that you are in the right place. We have been busy in the previous period about collecting new information in order to present you the latest information about this SUV. In the following text, you can read everything that interests you and what you need to know about Land Rover Defender. Well, if you’re ready, let’s start.
When will the new Land Rover Defender be officially introduced?
Probably the most important information that is currently of interest to all people who would want to own this vehicle is when the new Defender will be officially unveiled. Fortunately, we will not wait long, and in 2024, Defender will be available in showrooms around the world. This also means the return of this great name that has a very long tradition.
Another interesting fact is that Land Rover will offer its Defender customers in many different versions. For example, for now it’s definitely that we are going to see the Defender Sport variant. In addition, we have information that JLR is developing an electric vehicle that should hit the showrooms in 2024.
For the time being, tests are being carried out, and the last one in Africa was at Borana Conservancy, which has an area of 14,000 hectares. According to the British company, prototypes have been tested and so far, have passed the mileage of more than 1.2 million kilometers during various tests. Also, these tests are equal to 45,000 individual tests and in order to ensure the durability of a new vehicle, they are made at extreme temperatures of high heat and cold.
It is important to note that people from the JLR began tests in October last year, when the first exclusive photographs of Defender were captured at the company’s test facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire. This car is considered one of the most important products that emerge from their factory in the last few years, so it is logical the manufacturer paid much attention to improving the Defender.
Also, the 2024 Land Rover Defender is a model that will be part of a whole new family of vehicles, and this is similar to what they did with the Discovery series from which the Sport line emerged later. Also, in coming years, JLR will present several models that will have various accessories, such as roof-top tents and similar items that are intended for off-road driving and a vehicle of this type.
What is Ralph Speth thinking about Defender?
The new Land Rover Defender was also spoken by Ralph Speth, Jaguar Land Rover CEO. At FT Future of the Car Summit in London, Speth said:
“It was one of my toughest days to stop the old Defender, the icon. I’ve driven the new Defender. Maybe I shouldn’t talk about this, but it’s so sensational on the road and off. It’s pure fun and so capable.”
Mr. Speth also commented on the very popular all-electric Jaguar i-Pace, which won several awards:
“I am very proud about the i-Pace. It shows that in the UK there’s advanced technology. The UK team can do it. It has a completely new design language, with far more space in the interior, as well as the technology.”
Why is not the new Defender built in the Unified Kingdom?
Mr. Speth also answered this question, first of all, because it was a strange decision for many to build of big name such as Defender doesn’t take place in the UK. He said:
“When we decided to go abroad with the i-Pace we had no spare capacity whatsoever.”
He also talked about the company’s decision to cut its costs:
“Every car company at the moment is stretched. But we have a clear plan. We have taken tough decisions prior to anybody else. We are on track. We are the fastest growing brand in the US with Land Rover. With Jaguar we are the fastest growing brand in France.”
Production of the new SUV will be relocated from Solihull plant to a new factory located in Nitra, Slovakia. The annual production in this facility will be 150,000 cars, and it is important to mention that the Discovery models will be built in this factory, and of course, Defender.
Details of the body of the new Defender
One of the novelties that are striking from the images of the new 4×4 is the independent rear suspension. Also, unlike some previous cars that had a body-on-ladder-frame, aluminum platform will be used in the construction of the new Defender. This means that this SUV will have a solid and lighter, as well as more flexible body.
Also, with a wide range of accessories, such as transmissions, axles, suspensions and tires, the British manufacturer believes that the requirements of each customer will be met.
A similar thing was with the concept car called DC100, which was introduced in the year of 2011. Now, this construction will be applied to the new Defender. According to some sources, in the next year, we will have the opportunity to officially see two versions to be called 90 and 110.
Rawdon Glover, UK managing director of JLR, said:
“We are enormously excited to be revealing the first member of the Defender family during 2019 with UK customers taking delivery in 2024.
“The Defender nameplate stands for durability and alongside Range Rover delivering ultimate luxury and Discovery offering the best versatility in the market, we will have an SUV for every customer requirement.”
More details about the specifications of the new 4×4
Land Rover Defender Sport is a vehicle that needs a lot of work to be ready for serial production. However, we know more about the L860, which is similar to the Defender. With its classic box design, we can say that it is intended to fight off-road conditions. On the other hand, the Sport version is more intended for on-road conditions. It is also certain that Defender Sport will be built in a new facility in Slovakia and will be available in variant as an all-electric vehicle.
Details of the new Defender’s engine
Although it is anticipated that the Defender family will have versions with batteries, models with internal combustion engines will initially be available, primarily because it takes some more time to develop such vehicles in the right way.
As for internal combustion engines, petrol and diesel versions of 2.0-liter four-cylinder power units will be available. Also, customers can expect an additional electric charger that will be helpful in acceleration. It is interesting that customers will be able to choose number of doors they want, trim level and bodystyle.
The Land Rover Defender first appeared in October last year during the 2018 Paris Motor Show. On that occasion, Ralph Speth said:
“The Defender is an icon and we are working on it now. It’s a true Land Rover, a key part of the brand.”
Later, the spokesman added:
“Jaguar Land Rover runs a wide range of engineering and technology development programs. We are unable to comment on the specific nature of these programs. However, we can confirm that the Defender program is progressing well and has reached an exciting stage of its development.
“We can confirm that customers around the world will be taking delivery and enjoy Defender again from 2024.”
So, Defender will definitely be available to all customers in 2024, which means that at some point in 2019 it will be officially introduced on some motor show. We think it will be Frankfurt Motor Show.
Nina Smith 
Kim Marks