The next generation Land Rover Defender is already testing on roads according to Jaguar Land Rover chief Dr. Ralph Speth.
Speaking to Autocar magazine Dr. Speth said that he has already driven a few prototypes of the upcoming new Land Rover Defender. It is expected to launch in 2018.
The new Defender will be based on the architecture of the new Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. The SUV could be built in the same plant at Solihull, even though Land Rover has aluminium plants are several other locations. Speth added that it wont be releated to the Discovery Sport or the Evoque in any way.
He said that it will be “fairly different” from other models in actual body componentry, because a vehicle of this capability has to be very tough indeed.
“There is no question of the new Defender just being an icon. We are working on an authentic successor to the old Defender. The architecture will contain a lot of elements that are different [from other aluminium cars],” said Speth. He also admitted that “all our vehicles have to make money”.
Land Rover was earlier not sure about going ahead with the new Defender project because it was difficult to justify the cost of a model that is relatively low volume but still needs to have outstanding off roading and general capabilities.
The new Land Rover Discover was recently revealed globally and made its debut at the Paris Motor Show.
