You know that the new Land Rover Defender is a force to be reckoned with, but you may not realize that the Land Rover Defender has history on its side! Although certain design cues and capabilities harken back to the brand’s origins, the model that would become the Land Rover Defender was built in 1983, given its new name in 1990, and released for the U.S. market in 1993. Learn all about its origin story by reading on.
Land Rover Defender history officially begins in the 80s and 90s, but true fans of the brand will know that the first Land Rover Defender was based on the military-inspired Land Rover Series I, Series II, and Series III SUVs. Here’s a brief overview of key moments in the Land Rover Defender SUV’s history:
When the Land Rover Defender came out, it may have been somewhat difficult to tell it apart from the Land Rover Series III, which remained in production until 1985. In fact, the Series III and the Land Rover Defender would share similar aluminum paneling and near-identical engines. However, the Defender was distinguished by its new grille and its longer bonnet.
The Land Rover 110 (the first Defender) also featured:
Why resurrect the Defender, rather than the Series III? Part of the decision could have hinged on the Defender SUV’s history of success in sales. Throughout the 80s, the Land Rover 110 would gain stronger, more powerful engines–and consumers certainly took increasing notice as the years rolled by.
Although the Defender was only available in the U.S. for four years, it had no trouble making a lasting impression on Red Bank and Colts Neck drivers.
There’s never been another model like the first Land Rover Defender, but the new Land Rover Defender builds upon the legacy of the original in many exciting ways. If you’re ready to see how it measures up, start by finding out what the experts at Motor Trend have said! Spoiler alert: It’s already been named as their 2021 SUV of the Year. Ready to learn more? Check out the Defender pricing and lineup with our team.
If you’re ready to test drive a Land Rover Defender of your own, make sure to explore our Land Rover Defender lease offers today! If you’d prefer to buy a used Land Rover Defender, we can help with that too. Make an appointment to visit us in store, or enjoy an even more convenient experience by stepping into our virtual showroom now.
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