Land Rover Defender to get a Dangerous Makeover

By Morgan Mayhew on August 31, 2011

Land Rover announced it will change the design of a world-wide classic, the Land Rover Defender in 2015.

The Defender, a rugged, Spartan vehicle is respected throughout the world for its reliability and sturdiness.

Even in the United States where imports of the Defender have been banned since the 1997 model year, the off-road classic remains popular and cherished. Owners of the NAS (North American Spec) Defender show reluctance to give up their prized vehicles for a new-shiny version of a classic.

One commenter posted on the forum for NAS Defender owners, D-90.com, "Hardly a Defender replacement IMO. Looks like a boxy Freelander at best."

Another weighed in with remorse, " Well if that is a real picture then they just killed the Defender."

Given Land Rover's takeover by the Indian manufacturer, Tata Motors, in 2008, it may be wise to leave the classic Defender alone.

The design which has remained largely the same since 1948 (then marketed as the Series Land Rover) is the first vehicle seen by 60% of people in developing nations – a testament to its rugged design.