The 2018 Land Rover Defender is something off-road enthusiasts have long been waiting for. With such a great car original Defender, the company has a daunting task ahead of it.
2018 Defender. Road and Track reported that the new Defender will be coming soon sometime in 2018. Dr. Ralf Speth, JLR's head honcho, confirmed this. The new vehicle will have the Discovery model as its basis.
In an interview with Auto Car UK, Speth shared that the new Defender is already undergoing testing. Moreover, they may be testing the actual vehicle soon. The LR chief has already confirmed driving some prototypes of the model late last year.
The company is taking their time on this model because they want to please everyone. On the one hand, they want to build a brand new Defender with all of the latest features. However, they must also take into account the loyalists of the original.
Ineos "Purist" Defender. This may be where this side project may prove to be helpful. According to Car Buzz, a "purist" Land Rover Defender will be revived as well by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe founded chemical company Ineos, and he plans to build his own "uncompromising 4x4 off-roader."
According to Ratcliffe, he has already invested hundreds of millions into this passion project of his. The billionaire is very serious about this project and is even seeking a production base in the UK or somewhere in Europe for his Ineos Automotive division.
After completing a six-month extensive feasibility study, Ineos decided that the vehicle will develop in the UK. It won't be a direct replica of the Defender so as not to upset Jaguar-Land Rover. But it will reflect its design philosophy and offer a certain appeal to fans of the original Defender.
In essence, the car will be a viable alternative to the modern-day SUV. It will be a combination of the original Defender's rugged quality and reliability of a modern vehicle like the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The 2018 Land Rover Defender will arrive next year. Will the Ineos Defender also be launched then or sooner? Which model do you prefer? Share your thoughts and comments below.
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