What began at Red Wharf bay, Anglesey in 1947 – When Maurice and Spencer Wilks imagined the very first Land Rover – will end this year, when the last Defenders finally roll off the production line at Solihull – The end of an era.
Land Rover have produced this video – where a 1km long Land Rover is drawn out on the sands of Red Wharf bay – where it all began.
In celebration of the Defender, Land Rover will be producing 3 limited edition models to mark the end of production.
The Heritage, Adventure and Autobiography will all go on sale over the next 12 months, offering buyers and collectors a slice of exclusive Land Rover history before production of the current car ceases at the end of the year.
The Heritage
First of the three specials is the Land Rover Defender Heritage.
It will be available in the 90 – in both hard top and station wagon guise – as well as the 5 door 110, with 400 vehicles available to UK buyers.
All Heritage Defenders will come with a unique Grasmere Green paintwork and an Alaska White roof, with silver front bumpers and body coloured steel wheels.
There’s a load of Heritage style badges and Heritage logo mudflaps, as well as HUE 166 graphics in tribute to the first pre-production Series I Land Rover from 1947.
Inside you’ll find an aluminium clock, aluminium door handles and perforated leather on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake.
All Heritage models come with cloth seats with vinyl sides and backs. A padded cubby box and Heritage logo rubber mats complete the look. Prices start from £27,800, going on sale from August.
Adventure
The Land Rover Defender Adventure edition is altogether more rugged, aimed at buyers who want true go-anywhere ability.
On top of the already tough appearance, the Adventure adds distinctive under body protection for the side sills and sump, while Goodyear MT/R off road tyres are fitted as standard.
There will be a choice of three colours – Grey, White and Orange – each with a contrasting gloss black grille, bonnet, roof and rear door.
All Adventure models feature seven-inch LED projector headlamps, a special roof rack, snorkel and rear access ladder for added off-road appeal.
Inside you will find a more luxurious finish. There is Windsor Leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, complemented by a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever. Bright aluminium trim and bespoke carpets give added appeal.
Only 600 will go on sale in the UK, with buyers able to choose from 90 and 110 Station Wagon body styles. The former gets a power boost from 120bhp to 148bhp, as well as a jump in torque from 360Nm to 400Nm. Prices start from a not-inconsiderable £43,495.
Autobiography
Completing the range is the flagship Defender Autobiography.
It’s the most expensive production Defender ever and costs from £61,845. Production will be limited to 80 UK cars, available solely in the 90 Station Wagon bodystyle.
As with the 90 Adventure, the Autobiography comes with the 28bhp power boost and 40Nm jump in torque. There’s a choice of two-tone paintjobs, as well as standard 16-inch alloy wheels and off-road tyres, privacy glass and Autobiography badging.
The Autobiography builds on the Adventure spec, with a metal fuel filler cap, side steps and black body details. Inside you’ll find Land Rover’s Full Windsor Leather interior embossed with the Autobiography logo, as well as aluminium trim, unique carpet mats and spun metal discs in the cup holder slots.
It will go on sale ahead of the Heritage and Adventure models, with order books opening in April.
