This year marks 12 months of celebrations for Land Rover’s most iconic model, the Defender. Festivities started in January, when Land Rover created a giant, one kilometre drawing of Defender’s instantly recognisable silhouette on the beaches of Red Wharf Bay. This was the same location where Maurice Wilks drew an outline in the sand of the first Land Rover back in 1947.
The Defender will continue to be honoured all over the world, including at this year’s Landy Festival in Gauteng. Fans there will gather to share their Defender stories, and also see off Kingsley Holgate as he embarks on another epic adventure into Africa.
Those fans can also look forward to Land Rover’s own celebration of the Defender, with the introduction of the Celebration Edition Defenders. Only 215 of these special models will be sold in South Africa. Two variants will be made available: the Defender Heritage Edition and the Defender Adventure Edition.
The Heritage Edition is inspired by early Land Rover models. It mixes nostalgic design cues with modern creature comforts, and is immediately identifiable through its distinctive Grasmere Green paintwork and a contrasting white roof. Additional heritage touches include a classic design grille and HUE 166 graphics, recalling the registration plate of the first ever pre-production Land Rover. South Africa will get 130 Heritage Edition Defenders in the 110 Station Wagon body style, and 50 in the 90 Station Wagon body style.
The Adventure Edition is aimed at Land Rover customers who relish the great outdoors and embrace the Defender’s ‘go anywhere, do anything’ attitude. It comes fitted with additional under-body protection and Goodyear MT/R tyres to boost the Defender’s already class-leading all-terrain capabilities. Unique decals and a leather-trimmed cabin ensure the Adventure Edition stands out from the Defender crowd. Of the Adventure Edition Defenders allocated to South Africa, 15 will be in the 90 Station Wagon body style, while 20 will be in the 110 Station Wagon body style.
These limited edition Defender models can be ordered at Land Rover or Jaguar Land Rover dealers across the country, and the first units will be delivered in September 2015. Pricing will be confirmed closer to availability.