Rising from the embers of WWII, the Land Rover that was introduced in 1948
It may not be the oldest model at Land Rover, but the Defender is certainly the longest-lived with production spanning some 33-years and is arguably the most renowned. The Land Rover Series II and Series III became known as the Defender in 1983. Two Defender models were available back then, the one-ten (110) and ninety (90) with the numerals denoting the wheelbase in inches.
Paying homage to the originals, the latest Land Rover Defender also carries 90 and 110 monikers and have matching wheelbases. However, apart from its name and a familial resemblance it has nothing in common underneath. The underpinnings of the latest Defender comes from what Land Rover calls D7x architecture that is a derivative of the D7 platform already being used in the Range Rover, Velar and Discovery. It replaces the old-fashioned step-ladder frame with a modern monocoque body that is three times stronger.
The new Defender has a tall order to fill because the original Defender was one of the most capable off-road vehicles ever. However, we are in a different era now, tastes and expectations have changed. The old has Defender was not refined at all. It may have a strong cult following, but it still had the build and characteristics of an army jeep which is not acceptable nowadays.