Land Rover Prepares Next Generation Defender, Might Come to the US

Land Rover Defender 90 (Credit: © Land Rover)

Many Land Rover fans in the United States lament the fact that the mighty Defender isn’t available stateside, since the “classic” design of the SUV makes that impossible. Now that the British automaker has announced the old Defender is finally retiring in 2015 after an incredible run lasting 70 years, there is real buzz that the new model could be coming to America.

The chances that the new Defender would comply with modern vehicle standards in the United States is pretty high. Before anyone gets too excited about driving a boxy little Land Rover in Moab, according to Left Lane News the new generation will likely have a look that is far from the concepts Land Rover has flashed around in the past few years. In fact, the automotive publication says that designers are gunning for a more unique design that is “bolder” and brings with it a higher level of sophistication. Considering that Land Rover has been pushing such designs on other vehicles, like the new Range Rover lineup and likely for the new Discovery family, such a move seems likely.

So far details about the look and mechanicals for the new Defender are enshrouded in secrecy. Industry experts are debating about whether the company will use the D7 platform from the Range Rover for the new Defender, or if the SUV will still come as a body-on-frame truck. While sharing a chassis would keep costs down, the Defender has a reputation for its rugged nature and could put up a real fight against the Jeep Wrangler if it is offered in America.

For now, everything seems to be up in the air for the next generation of the Defender. Land Rover will likely show off a new concept vehicle that will give everyone a hint at the new direction of the model’s design, and maybe it will drop some hints about bringing it to the United States.