Font ResizerAa
Motor RoveMotor Rove
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • Stories
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Tech
  • Auto Shows
  • Mechanical Insights
Search
  • Home
  • News
    • Recalls
  • Reviews
  • Tech
    • CarTech
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Movies
    • Celebrities
  • Mechanical Insights
    • General-Maintenance
  • Videos
  • en_USEnglish
    • de_DEGerman
    • fr_FRFrench
    • ru_RURussian
    • arArabic
    • swSwahili
Sign In Sign In
Follow US
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • My Profile
©2025 BeamFlex Media. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Cars » The Evolution of the Land Rover Defender From 1983 to 2024
Cars

The Evolution of the Land Rover Defender From 1983 to 2024

Ben Temnick
By
Ben Temnick
ByBen Temnick
Ben Temnick is an automotive journalist and expert with more than ten years of experience in the automotive industry. As the Chief Editor at Motor Rove,...
February 23, 2024
6 Min Read
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE
Advertisements

The Land Rover Defender is a legendary name in the world of off-road vehicles. It has a rich history of innovation, performance, and durability that spans over decades. In this article, we will take a look at how the Defender evolved from its origins in 1983 to its latest models in 2024.

Advertisements

The Defender’s story started in 1983, when Land Rover introduced the Land Rover 110, a four-wheel drive utility vehicle with a 110-inch wheelbase. The 110 was designed to replace the Series III Land Rover, which had been in production since 1971. The 110 offered more comfort, power, and reliability than its predecessor, and was soon joined by the Land Rover 90, a shorter version with a 90-inch wheelbase, in 1984. The 90 and 110 were also available in different body styles, such as hardtop, soft top, pickup, and station wagon.

1983 Land Rover 110
1983 Land Rover 110

1883 Land Rover 90
1883 Land Rover 90

In 1985, Land Rover added another variant to the lineup: the Land Rover 127, a longer version with a 127-inch wheelbase and a crew cab. The 127 was mainly intended for commercial and military use, and could carry up to 12 passengers or a large load. The 127 was later renamed as the Land Rover 130 in 1990, when Land Rover decided to rebrand the 90 and 110 as the Defender 90 and Defender 110, respectively. The name Defender was chosen to reflect the vehicle’s reputation as a rugged and dependable off-roader, and to distinguish it from the more luxurious Range Rover and Discovery models.

Advertisements
1985 Land Rover 127
1985 Land Rover 127

1985 Defender 90
1985 Defender 90

1985 Defender 110
1985 Defender 110

The Defender 90, 110, and 130 continued to be produced throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with various improvements and updates over the years. Some of the notable changes included the introduction of new engines, such as the 2.5-liter turbodiesel, the 3.5-liter V8, and the 2.4-liter Ford Duratorq; the adoption of new technologies, such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, and airbags; and the launch of special editions, such as the Defender 50th Anniversary, the Defender Tomb Raider, and the Defender SVX.

Defender 50th Anniversary

Defender Tomb Raider

Defender SVX
In 2016, Land Rover ended the production of the original Defender, after 33 years and over two million units sold. The Defender was widely regarded as a classic and a cult vehicle, and was used by various organizations and individuals around the world, such as the British Army, the Red Cross, the Camel Trophy, and the royal family.

Defender for the Royal family
Defender for the Royal family

Defender for the British Army
Defender for the British Army

After period of time , the Defender’s legacy continued over. In 2019, Land Rover unveiled the new generation of the Defender. The new Defender was based on a new platform, called the D7x, which was designed to be the strongest and most capable Land Rover ever. The new Defender also featured a modern and sleek design, with a range of advanced features and options, such as LED headlights, a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, and an air suspension.

Advertisements

The new Defender was initially available in two versions, being the Defender 90, with a 101.9-inch wheelbase and a two-door configuration, and the Defender 110, with a 119-inch wheelbase and a four-door configuration. Both versions offered a choice of petrol, diesel, or hybrid engines, and a variety of trim levels and accessories. Also Defender  introduced other model: the Defender 130, which was a stretched version of the Defender 110, with a 130-inch wheelbase and a three-row seating capacity.

2019 Defender 110
2019 Defender 110

2019 Defender 90
2019 Defender 90

In 2020/2024, Land Rover plans to expand the Defender lineup even further, with the introduction of the Defender Sport, a smaller and more agile version of the Defender, with a 90-inch wheelbase and a coupe-like design. The Defender Sport will target a younger and more urban audience, and will offer a range of electrified powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric option. The Defender Sport will also feature a more futuristic and minimalist interior, with a curved display, a head-up display, and a voice assistant.

Advertisements
2024 Defender 110
2024 Defender 110

2024 Defender 90
2024 Defender 90

The Land Rover Defender is a remarkable vehicle that has evolved over time to meet the changing needs and preferences of its customers. It is a vehicle that combines heritage, innovation, and versatility, and that can handle any terrain and challenge. 

Motor Rove Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest news, Reviews and More delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Flipboard Pinterest Whatsapp Whatsapp Reddit Telegram Threads Email Copy Link
ByBen Temnick
Ben Temnick is an automotive journalist and expert with more than ten years of experience in the automotive industry. As the Chief Editor at Motor Rove, he leads a skilled team and creates engaging content for car enthusiasts and professionals.
Previous Article Dodge Challenger SRT Demon170 vs Nissan GT-R: A Battle of Speed and Power
Next Article The 2024 Range Rover Sport SV Review
Leave a Comment Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
WhatsAppFollow
Google NewsFollow
ThreadsFollow
RSS FeedFollow
Advertisements

Most Popular

The UK High Commission Pimps Fleets of Vans Ahead of King Charles Tour in Kenya

By Ben Temnick
October 28, 2023

The Morgan AeroMax: A Timeless Sports Car

By Ben Temnick
July 12, 2024

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner: Rugged Redesign for Adventure Seekers

By Ben Temnick
April 10, 2024

All New 2025 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Review

By Ben Temnick
April 4, 2024

2026 BMW i8 M

By Ben Temnick
December 26, 2023

The First Electric Drone Like Aircraft Delivered by Joby Aviation

By Ben Temnick
October 7, 2023
Nord A7
SUV

How Nord A7 is Redefining the Nigerian SUV Scene

By motorrove
June 20, 2025
Advertisements

You Might Also Like

2025 Honda CR-V Review: Comfort, Power, and Tech Redefined

By Ben Temnick
June 10, 2025

Lucid Teases New Midsize EV SUV Which will Cost $50,000

By Ben Temnick
September 10, 2024

The 2025 GMC Terrain Revealed, and It Comes in Three Trim Level

By Ben Temnick
August 13, 2024
Bugatti Mistral
Bugatti

Bugatti Mistral Just Became the Fastest Roofless Car Ever Made

By Ben Temnick
June 10, 2025

2025 FIA World Rally Championship Set to Launch with Exciting Global Events

By Ben Temnick
September 29, 2024

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

By Ben Temnick
October 5, 2024

Motor Rove

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • Advertise
  • BeamFlex Media
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Editors Pick
  • Stories
  • RSS
  • Publishing Principles
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • My Profile
  • My Account
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Auto Shows

©2025 BeamFlex Media. All Rights Reserved.

Cookies Policy & Setting