It was only a few days ago I posted a feature, a pre-obituary if you will, for the Land Rover in its current Defender form. That piece, as dreary as a day in Solihull, included the mention of the new Defender, but I didn’t feel it was the appropriate time for further discussion on the now imminent 2016 model. We have all seen the various concepts of the new Defender, some make it look like a slightly doughy Kia Soul with awkwardly big shoes. Shoes that it can’t fill, I might add. Hopefully, the finished product will shed much of that “me-too” design aesthetic in favor of the right-angled brawn of the previous models. At any rate, the new Defender is coming, and it’s coming to America.
Recently, Land Rover brand manager John Edwards announced a few more details about the new Defender, but as we’ve come to expect he didn’t give up anything juicy. In other words, file all of this under the heading of not-so-news. He did confirm rumors the 2016 Defender will be fully compliant with EU6 regulations, making it a go for US import. He also said it will retain the iconic aesthetic and offroad performance that has made it a motoring legend for 67 years. Lastly, he said it will be expensive. Like we didn’t see that coming.
Will Americans snap up the new Defender when it’s made available here? I think so. I would expect to see more than a few of these new rigs rolling on sparkling 22s in urban jungles, but an intrepid few will surely put them to use off-piste where the Defender belongs. If you happen to be in that lot, start saving your pennies. It’s been nearly two decades since a new Defender was sold on US soil. I’m sure they’ll not sit on dealer lots for long.
