Ever since the last Defender rolled off the line in 2016, Land Rover has been bombarded with details about the next-generation Land Rover Defender. We’re about year or so away from the debut of the new Defender, but Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s chief design officer recently provided some small hints about what we can expect.

Land Rover Defender

Speaking at the press preview for the Range Rover Velar, McGovern was immediately questioned about the new Defender. While he didn’t give away too many details, he did reveal that the overall design of the next Defender has been finalized. Now Land Rover’s engineers have to take the design and make sure that its as good as or even better than the original. McGovern stated that Land Rover’s engineers are “hellbent” on meeting that goal.

Later during a presentation about the Land Rover brand, McGovern also revealed that the new Defender must have three traits if it is going to succeed: design leadership, durability and engineering integrity. He even gave a little preview of the next Defender, but showing a sketch of the new Defender’s silhouette on the screen. The sketch revealed that the next-generation Defender will have a flat roof and squared-off front end, like the original Defender.

While the new Defender will keep some of the traits from the original, McGovern also revealed that it will not be a retro model. “I am a modernist,” McGovern proclaims. “I’m looking forward, not back.”

The next-generation Land Rover Defender will spawn several models, including the two-door and four-door models, plus a possible seven seater version and eventually maybe even a truck. The Defender truck isn’t expected to come to the United States, since there’s a pesky 25 percent “chicken tax” on imported trucks. An electrified version has also been hinted at.

Source: Automotive News