Defender editions signal the end of production

Assembly of the venerable Defender is due to end at Land Rover’s Solihull plant in December 2015. So, to commemorate the imminent passing of a vehicle that can trace its lineage back to 1947, three Celebration Series editions have been launched.

Heritage Limited Edition

The Heritage Limited Edition is based on the entry-level trim grade. Recognisable by its Grasmere Green paint, body-coloured steel wheels, white roof and silver bumpers, this model also comes with Almond cloth upholstery and a retro grille.

Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon Heritage Limited Edition (2015) Front SideLand Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon Heritage Limited Edition (2015) Interior

Recalling the registration number of the first pre-production Land Rover is a ‘HUE 166’ graphic that appears on the bodywork and on tags affixed to the front seats.

400 examples have been allocated to the UK and deliveries are expected to begin in August.

Defender Heritage Limited Edition UK on the road price
90 Hard Top £27,800
90 Station Wagon £30,900
110 Station Wagon £34,200


Adventure Limited Edition

Land Rover is set to offer 600 units of the Adventure Limited Edition in the UK. Taking the existing XS version as a starting point, the extra specification includes unique decals, a raised air intake, underbody protection, a roof rack and a rear ladder.

Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon Adventure Limited Edition (2015) InteriorLand Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon Adventure Limited Edition (2015) Side

LED projector headlights and split-spoke alloy wheels shod with Goodyear MT/R tyres are fitted too. G4 Challenge-inspired Phoenix Orange is one of three colour scheme options, while inside the seats are covered with Windsor leather.

In 90 Station Wagon guise, the Adventure’s 2.2 litre diesel engine is upgraded from the usual 120 bhp (90 kW / 122 PS) to 148 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS), and peak torque similarly rises from 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) to 400 Nm (295 lb/ft). That particular enhancement probably explains why both versions cost the same.

Defender Adventure Limited Edition UK on the road price
90 Station Wagon £43,495
110 Station Wagon £43,495


Autobiography Limited Edition

Completing the trio is the luxurious (and very expensive) Autobiography Limited Edition, which arrives in April. As just 80 are going to be available in the UK it should be a rare sight.

Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon Autobiography Limited Edition (2015) Rear SideLand Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon Autobiography Limited Edition (2015) Interior

Another development of the XS, the Autobiography gains a set of gloss black ‘Sawtooth’ alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED projector headlights, front underbody protection and the modified 148 bhp engine.

Regardless of the main paint shade chosen, the tailgate, front grille, bonnet and upper portion of the body are all finished in Santorini Black for a distinctive two-tone look. Deep-pile carpet floor mats plus a full leather package that even extends to the headlining are the main additional interior features.

Defender Autobiography Limited Edition UK on the road price
90 Station Wagon £61,845


The Defender story might not be over entirely though, because limited production could continue overseas to supply non-European Union markets. India would have to be a likely location for such a venture, given the firm’s current ownership.

It’s also worth noting that there’s definitely going to be a successor to the Defender, but Land Rover has yet to announce any details.


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2013 Land Rover Defender

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