The pickup truck market could soon become richer for the new premium version. Land Rover is working on the successor of the legendary Defender off-roader. Its debut will likely coincide with brand’s 70th-anniversary celebration late this year. The new Defender will try to defend its title of one of the most capable off-roaders but will be marketed as the premium priced model and Land Rover plans the large family of Defenders.
Not only that new Defender will return in the short and long wheelbase forms with two or four doors, yet Land Rover plans to offer various trim options including high luxury version and performance-focused Defender. However, the new Defender is also expected to get the pickup truck version, probably sometime after the arrival of the familiar forms. The regular versions will arrive as the 2019 models and truck version could also appear as the 2019 Land Rover Defender Truck sometime later in the model year.
2019 Land Rover Defender Truck: Design
When it comes to the design of the 2019 Land Rover Defender Truck and other family members, the new Defender was expected for the arrival in 2015. The company presented the line of the DC100 concepts from 2011. They were meant to hint at the design of the new Defender. However, since these models weren’t accepted well the project returned to the design team.
So, the DC100 doesn’t provide us an idea about the new Defender design cues. In terms of the execution, the new model will be closer to the recent Discovery SVX. But it’s not clear to what extent the final design will borrow from the mentioned model. We should expect the boxy body and less retro styling cues than on the old version.
On the other hand, the new Defender, as well as the truck version, will use the strengthened JLR’s PLA unibody architecture. It makes the base of the Range Rover SUVs and Discovery models. This lightweight platform thanks to the intensive use of the aluminum will reduce the weight of the model and improve efficiency. The hardcore hardware will provide the great off-road capability.
As for the interior design, it is expected to adopt similar design cues from brand’s latest models. It will come in the combination with the durable and premium materials. The models including the truck version will also be the brand’s the most technologically advanced models. They will make the use of the latest tech and safety features.
2019 Land Rover Defender Truck: Powertrains
The 2019 Land Rover Defender Truck and other Defenders will be equipped with the hardcore off-road hardware in order to provide superior off-road performance. The models will exploit low-range transfer case combined with the pair of the differential locks plus a live rear axle. They will also boast impressive approach and departure angles.
As for the engine options, the models will be powered by the Ingenium units. The candidates are the 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 and more powerful 3.0-liter supercharged V-6. Outside the US the diesel-powered versions will be available.
2019 Land Rover Defender Truck: Arrival, Price
When it comes to the release date, the regular Defender versions should go on sale in 2019. The premiere should be late this year. The 2019 Land Rover Defender Truck will follow, maybe in the same year. However, it is more likely to see it as the next model year version.
As for the price, the Defender models won’t be the competitor of Wrangler’s versions since they will be premium priced versions.