The 2019 Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Defender Heritage Timeline

1948 – The first Land Rover was officially launched 30 April 1948, making its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show

1958 – Land Rover Series II is launched, building on the success of the Series I.

1961 – Series IIA debuts with several new engines and improvements. Model range is expanded to include 1-ton and station wagons across the globe.

1971 – Series III launches as a response to growing competition. V8 engine power is offered on both military and civilian versions of the Land Rover Series III.

1983 – Land Rover 90 and 110 models begin production. Modernized styling, coil spring suspension, and an updated interior are among the biggest highlights.

1990 – Land Rover 90 and 100 models are rebranded as the Land Rover Defender to reflect the vehicle’s use by defense forces across the world. While remaining true to its working roots, the Defender sees the introduction of special edition performance and luxury models equipped with air conditioning and automatic transmissions.

2016 – Marking the end of an era, the final Land Rover Defender (a soft-top “90” model) rolled across the production line at 9:22 on Friday 29 January 2016.

2018 – In celebration of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary, Land Rover announces a limited-edition high-performance edition of the iconic Defender. The all-new Defender is expected to debut for the 2019 model year.