The first "substantially revised" 2007-model Land Rover Defender rolled off the production line at Solihull this week.
Land Rover employees were present to celebrate this important milestone which marks the continued success of the iconic model which began life in 1948.
On sale this spring, Land Rover said the 2007 model "will feature significant upgrades to enhance the ownership experience and meet forthcoming legislation."
There's a new 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with more torque and a six-speed manual 'box with wider ratios and for better motorway cruising and off-roading.
The cabin's new too, with new heating and ventilation systems -- and it even gets aircon as an option. LR's turning the sideways seats at the rear through 90 degrees to face forwards for safety reasons.
Unchanged are the Defender's ladder-frame chassis and aluminium bodywork, along with 90-, 110- and 130-inch wheelbases, and with a range of body shapes and sizes.
“Defender remains a significant contributor to the business as well as an enduring symbol of Land Rover’s 4x4 heritage,” said LR boss Phil Popham. “Its simple concept hasn’t changed fundamentally over the years, but it remains as relevant as ever.
“Defender continues to play a vital role for emergency services, aid workers and farmers around the world. As we grow Land Rover we’re not forgetting our core values and our traditional customers.”
The Defender name was introduced in 1990 but the model is a direct descendant of the original Land Rover introduced in 1948.
The extension to the long life of Defender, which has been in production in various models since 1948, will preserve more than 750 jobs at the Solihull factory where it is produced alongside the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery 3.
Annual production of Defender has remained consistent at around 25,000 units in recent years, with much of the demand coming from large contract orders, said LR. For example, the Italian energy distribution company, Ente Nazionale Elettricita, recently placed an order for over 900 Defenders.
Around two thirds of all the 1.8 million Land Rovers produced are still in use.