Land Rover Defender & Land Rover Series History: Six Generations Of An Iconic SUV
It is among the most influential and iconic cars of all time. With over two million cars produced, it is quite popular too. Land Rover claims over 70% of them are still in working condition, and that is quite a feat given that it first went into production way back in 1948. It is said that the first vehicle ever seen by most tribes in remote areas across the world is a Land Rover Series I.?
The Defender is a continuation of the Land Rover Series. Initially named Land Rover Series I, II & III, this is the car from which the Land Rover brand was birthed. The Land Rover Series was eventually named Defender and it is considered among the best off-road SUVs in the world. In this DubiCars Car Spotlight article, we take a closer look at the history and generations of the Land Rover Defender.?
Origins Of The Land Rover Series & Land Rover Defender
The Rover Company was formed way back in 1885 when it started producing bicycles. Between 1901 and 1937, the brand produced a few cars. In 1937, the Rover Company started producing gas turbines and other equipment to arm Britain for the impending arrival of World War II. After World War II ended in 1945, the Rover Company started developing a new car.?
The very first Land Rover was the brainchild of Maurice Wilks, the engineering director at the Rover Company. He took inspiration from the Willy’s Jeep that he had used on his farm in Wales and had won acclaim for its capabilities during the Second World War. Read all about the Willy’s Jeep and how it eventually evolved into the Jeep Wrangler here.
The idea for the Land Rover’s conception was to create a versatile, all-terrain vehicle that could serve both agricultural and industrial needs. Thus, the Land Rover was born, with its debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948 marking the beginning of a storied lineage.
Land Rover Series I | 1948 - 1958
The first generation, known as the Land Rover Series I, was introduced in 1948. The Series I was designed with simplicity and ruggedness in mind, featuring a boxy and utilitarian design. Due to a shortage of steel at the time, only the chassis was made of steel while the body was crafted out of aluminium.
In the first three years of production, it was powered by a 1.6-litre inline-four petrol engine, producing around 50hp. The vehicle's versatility was its hallmark, used in agriculture, military, and exploration roles. By 1950, a four-wheel-drive system was standard, and the engine was upgraded to a 2.0-litre unit by 1952, providing more power and reliability. In 1957, a 2.0-litre inline-4 diesel engine was introduced.
Land Rover Series II | 1958 - 1971
In 1958, the Series II was launched. It retained the design language and robust nature of the previous generation. It introduced the now-iconic "barrel side" waistline, which allowed for a wider track and more interior space. This generation also saw the introduction of the long-wheelbase (109-inch) version, which offered greater load capacity and versatility. It was even launched in a pickup truck body style.
The Series II also came with improved engines, including the 2.25-litre petrol engine, known for its durability and ease of maintenance. The Land Rover Series II also retained the 2.0-litre engines from the previous generation. The Series II A launched in 1961 saw the arrival of new engine options including a 2.25-litre inline-4 diesel and a 2.6-litre inline-6 petrol.
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1962 saw the arrival of the Forward Control model which was larger and the driver’s cab was placed at the front, over the engine, thereby giving it the name Forward Control. In 1967, the Rover Company was acquired by the Leyland Motor Corporation which then merged with British Motor Holdings. Hence, the Land Rover Series II was manufactured by British Leyland since 1968.?
Land Rover Series III |? 1971 - 1985
Land Rover 90 & 110 | 1983 - 1990
Land Rover Defender (L316) | 1990 - 2016
Land Rover Defender (L663) | 2019 - Present
Most Popular Land Rover Defender Generation In The UAE
Land Rover Defender Price In The UAE
Prices for a new Land Rover Defender for sale in the UAE range from AED 310,000 to AED 769,000. Prices for a used Land Rover Defender for sale in the UAE range from AED 85,000 to AED 875,000 depending on the model, year of manufacture, and condition.
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