Land Rover has announced that the next-generation Defender will be revealed this year, and after a 22-year hiatus, the model will make a return to North America when it goes on sale in the United States and Canada from 2020.
“There are a handful of automobiles that are beloved around the world and stand for a brand, a country and a distinct way of life. The Land Rover Defender is such a singular vehicle,” said Kim McCullough, vice president of marketing for Jaguar Land Rover North America.
“On behalf of Land Rover and our retailers, we are proud to announce the voices of American and Canadian customers has been heard: the all new Defender will be for sale here starting in 2020. This announcement is a holiday gift to our Defender fans in North America and a hint of what’s to come in the New Year,” she added.
Between 1993 and 1997, the Defender was sold in the region as North American Specification (NAS) vehicles. However, the conversion to NAS spec was deemed to be not profitable, and the company discontinued the model for North America, prompting NAS Defenders to appreciate in value significantly and being widely sought after by collectors.
Before the new Defender is introduced, engineers will put various prototypes and development mules through the wringer, including operating in temperatures from -40 to 48 degrees Celsius while driving the test vehicles on- and off-road at altitudes of more than 13,000 feet above sea level.
In terms of details, the off-roader will be underpinned by JLR’s MLA platform, and feature an all-new exterior and interior design, as well as a suite of the latest driver assistance and connectivity systems.
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