Land Rover’s highly-anticipated, next-generation Defender SUV has reportedly been delayed until 2018. It was thought that the next version of Land Rover’s iconic utility vehicle would be ready in time for the 2016 calendar year.
According to Automobile, the world will have to wait until 2018 for the Defender to reach showrooms. No reason for the two-year delay was given, but 2018 just so happens to coincide with 70th anniversary of the original Defender, so Land Rover could simply be making a marketing play.
The new Defender should be worth the wait. Set to ride on a new architecture known as D7u, the next Defender, which will be tagged as a 2019 model, will usher in new levels of luxury and off-roadability for the nameplate. The D7u-based Defender will use unibody construction rather than a truck-like frame, but the SUV’s live axle is expected to survive the transition.
The 2019 Defender will be available in no fewer than five body styles, including both short- and long-wheelbase variations. A pickup truck body style will be among those offered.
Keeping with the times, the 2019 Defender will be offered with four-cylinder gas and diesel engines. The Defender’s top-spec engine choice will be a gas 3.0L V6 developing 300 horsepower, replacing today’s V8.
When the 2019 Defender finally does land, Land Rover expects to sell about 30,000 copies annually.