The original Land Rover Defender debuted in 1948 and after selling two-million units Land Rover remains committed to replacing the iconic Land Rover Defender by 2015.
John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover stated, “The entire Land Rover team is excited about the opportunity, and the responsibility, of creating the replacement for the iconic Land Rover Defender. Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage while meeting the requirements of a changing global market. We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalize the details of the new vehicle. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to get going.”
The DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts are being revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and represent a possible direction for the next Defender. Both concepts are described as modern interpretations of the Defender.
Both concepts are powered by 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines with hybrid and plug-in capabilities. The concepts bring the Defender into the 21st century with new technology like the Terrain-i scanning device that warns the driver of obstacles when off-roading and can suggest alternative routes. “Wade Aid” uses sonar technology to assess water depth and advise the driver of optimum speed for water fording. The paint even has self-cleaning and healing capabilities.
