The Land Rover Defender that exists today traces its heritage back to just after World War Two, when the demand for cheap, utilitarian transportation was the order of the day in a Great Britain struggling to rebuild itself. The Rover company conceived of the original Land Rover concept by cobbling together a Willys Jeep chassis, a drivetrain out of a Rover P3, and a simple aluminum body. The idea was to build them for a few years to generate enough cash flow to restart Rover’s luxury car line.
Seventy-five years later, Rover is no more, and Land Rover is a luxury car in its own right. And to mark the occasion, a Defender 75th Limited Edition is being released in a special Grasmere Green exterior and interior with unique 75 Years graphic – available in 90 and 110 models.
The Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE, with comprehensive standard equipment. The innovative technology includes a 3D Surround Camera, Configurable Terrain Response, Meridian Sound System, Matrix LED front lighting, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, Head-Up Display, and Wireless Device Charger. All 75th Limited Edition models also feature a Folding Fabric Roof or the option of a Sliding Panoramic Roof, while superior comfort is provided by 14-way driver and passenger heated electric memory seats, heated steering wheel, and Three Zone Climate Control. An Electrically Deployable Tow Bar and All-Season tires can be added as options for enhanced capability.
Powertrain choices include the powerful and efficient P400e plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) on 110 models, in addition to P400 and D300 Ingenium petrol and diesel options, both utilizing Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology to optimize power delivery and fuel economy by harnessing energy normally lost under deceleration and braking.
For those of us who don’t have the cash for an $86,000 – $90,000 Defender, Land Rover also has posters, scale models, t-shirts, and backpacks available from their Lifestyle Collection to commemorate the anniversary as well.