The 2019 Land Rover model will be completely redesigned and come in two wheelbase sizes, 2,286mm and 2,794mm, and two distinct body styles – hardtop and soft-top. The next-gen model, codenamed L663, will be revealed towards the end of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations and will be the final production car and not a concept.
The new Defender will be based on a common Jaguar Land Rover architecture, a toughened-up version of the D7u underpinnings used on the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery models. This will allow for a range of petrol and diesel engines from JLR’s Ingenium line-up to be offered.
Although the design will contain no more than a few nods to the original, the new car is set to be the most high-tech Land Rover yet. It will have a full and updated suite of off-road technology based on the Terrain Response II system that surpasses the tech offered on the new Discovery model introduced this year.
Land Rover is aiming for the new Defender to be designed and engineered to have the kind of ground clearance and approach, departure and break-over angles that will give it class-leading off-road performance and agility.
The Defender will compete with the updated Mercedes G-class (formerly G-Wagen) – which will be launched in January 2018 at the Detroit motor show – and the facelifted (earlier this year) Toyota Land Cruiser.
Also see:
Jaguar Land Rover to roll out new petrol engine in India
2017 Land Rover Discovery vs Audi Q7 comparison
Second-gen Range Rover Evoque to be unveiled in October 2018
New Land Rover Defender will be brand's most high-tech car yet