Land Rover reveals trio of Defender limited editions
Last hurrah for Land Rover Defender with three limited edition models set to go on sale later this year
Land Rover has declared a year of celebrations by launching a trio of limited edition Defenders, before the all-new Defender family debuts in 2016.
The Heritage, Adventure and Autobiography will all go on sale over the next 12 months, offering buyers and collectors a slice of exclusive Land Rover history before production of the current car ceases in the not-too-distant future.
Kicking off the three specials is the Land Rover Defender Heritage. It’ll come in three-door 90 – in both hard top and station wagon guise – as well as five-door 110 bodystyles, with 400 vehicles available to UK buyers.
All cars come with a unique Grasmere Green paintjob and an Alaska White roof, with silver front bumpers and body coloured steel wheels. There’s a load of Heritage style badges and Heritage logo mudflaps, as well as HUE 166 graphics in tribute to the first pre-production Series I Land Rover from 1947.
Inside you’ll find an aluminium clock, aluminium door handles and perforated leather on the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. All Heritage models come with cloth seats with vinyl sides and backs. A padded cubby box and Heritage logo rubber mats complete the look. Prices start from £27,800, going on sale from August.
The Land Rover Defender Adventure edition is altogether more rugged, aimed at buyers who want true go-anywhere ability. On top of the already tough appearance, the Adventure adds distinctive underbody protection for the side sills and sump, while Goodyear MT/R off road tyres are fitted as standard.
There’s a choice of three colours – grey, white and orange – each with a contrasting gloss black grille, bonnet, roof and rear door. All Adventure models feature seven-inch LED projector headlamps, a special roof rack, snorkel and rear access ladder for added off-road appeal.
Perhaps surprisingly, you’ll find a more luxurious finish inside. There’s Windsor Leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, complemented by a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever. Bright aluminium trim and bespoke carpets give added appeal.
Only 600 will go on sale in the UK (also from August), with buyers able to choose from 90 and 110 Station Wagon body styles. The former gets a power boost from 120bhp to 148bhp, as well as a jump in torque from 360Nm to 400Nm. Prices start from a not-inconsiderable £43,495.
Completing the range is the flagship Defender Autobiography. It’s the most expensive production Defender ever and costs from £61,845. Production will be limited to 80 UK cars, available solely in the 90 Station Wagon bodystyle.
As with the short-wheelbase Adventure, the Autobiography comes with the 28bhp power boost and 40Nm jump in torque. There’s a choice of two-tone paintjobs, as well as standard 16-inch alloy wheels and off-road tyres, privacy glass and Autobiography badging.
The Autobiography builds on the Adventure spec, with a metal fuel filler cap, side steps and black body details. Inside you’ll find Land Rover’s Full Windsor Leather interior embossed with the Autobiography logo, as well as aluminium trim, unique carpet mats and spun metal discs in the cup holder slots.
It’ll go on sale ahead of the Heritage and Adventure models, with order books opening in April. Land Rover is also investigating the possibility of continuing production of the current Defender at an overseas production facility, after the close of UK manufacturing in December 2015. If it happens, it means low volume production will be maintained for sale outside of Europe. Land Rover refused to comment on exactly where these models could be built.
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