Land Rover DC 100

All change

With the concept vehicle Land Rover DC 100 nothing is as it was before. The successor to the British automobile which has conquered the entire world over the past few decades seems to be based on a concept not unlike that of the Skoda Yeti. Retained are the very short overhangs fore and aft, the generous ground clearance and the good all-round view. It is no longer a secret that the new Defender will be built in long and short wheel-base versions, with both three-door and five-door configurations and even one with an open freight platform. Gerry McGovern, design head of Land Rover says “The Defender has inspired people all across the globe. Coming up with a new version of this icon is one of the biggest challenges imaginable in terms of automotive design. The DC 100 is not to be seen as a ‘close to production’ concept, but as the beginning of a four-year journey which at the end will result in a new Defender for the twenty-first century.”

The new Defender to be built in long and short wheel-base versions, with both three-door and five-door configurations and even with an open freight platform is to go on sale in 2015.

A memorable ride

It will be in 2015 that the new Land Rover Defender will go on sale internationally. “Countless drivers worldwide respect the Defender for its clear, honest and unmistakeable design,” explains John Edwards, director of the marque, “we are well aware that a new Defender must perpetuate these values and at the same time must satisfy the expectations of people in many different countries. We will work very closely with our present customers and with our potential future clients when it comes to elaborating the details of the new model. We are starting on a journey which will be memorable… and we can hardly wait to get going.” The initial feedback from fans of off-road driving will certainly come when the DC 100 concept goes on show in Frankfurt for the first time.