The Best 4x4xFar icon will bow out soon… so some Defender Celebration Editions are in order

If ever there was an iconic vehicle, the Land Rover Defender is it.  It is recognised, instantly, the world over, be it travelling through Africa, doing duty in the British army, working on the farm, or just for adventure.  It even earned the slogan The Best 4x4xFar.

Yes, sad but true – the Defender is in its final phase of production.  It has been around since 1947 as the first production Land Rover.  After upgrades through the years and a number of spec changes, its time has come. 

3 distinctly different Land Rover Defender Celebration Edition models

Of course, the Land Rover Defender will not go out quietly.  So, thankfully, Land Rover created these Celebration Edition models as last hurrah for its fans, of which there are millions across the world.

There are 3 Defender Celebration Edition models, namely Heritage Edition, Adventure Edition, and Autobiography.  As the luxury-spec Autobiography model is reserved for Europe, South Africa will get the Heritage and Adventure – initially it was said that SA would not receive these, but it would be unthinkable to exclude South Africa, which has played such a big part in Land Rover and Defender’s life.

In total, only 215 of these special models will be sold in South Africa, made up of 50 Land Rover Defender 90 Heritage Edition and 130 of the Defender 110 Heritage Edition, while Adventure Edition is split between 15 x Defender 90 and 20 Defender 110 units.

The 90 and 110, for those non-Defender fans, indicate the wheelbase length in inches:  the 90 rides on the short 90-inch wheelbase, and is the 3-door body style, whereas the 110-inch wheelbase is the longer vehicle, fitted, in the case of the wagon, with 5 doors.

Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition – time for some nostalgia

The old-school green paint, named Grasmere Green metallic, and contrast white roof (a Land Rover style feature) give away that this has to be the Heritage Edition.  It looks like an old “Landy” with its mesh grille, and even has the heritage style headlamp surrounds.

The grille also proudly features an older version of the distinctive Land Rover zig-zag lozenge badge, flanked to the left by the inscription “1948-2015” outlining
the length of production, and flanked to the right by “Solihull, England” to pay homage to the home of Land Rover.

Then you see more classic design details thoughtfully applied – the green painted steel wheels (harking back to the way many of the first Land Rovers were painted) and the HUE 166 graphics on the side of the front fender, honouring the very 1st production Land Rover of 1948 which had this as its number plate, nicknamed Huey.

Several heritage style features from Series I, II and III (before it got the Defender name) are incorporated tastefully to evoke those landmark vehicles.  Even the Defender naming on the bonnet edge has been removed.  Silver bumpers with black end caps, silver door hinges, heritage logo mud flaps, bright aluminium finish clock and air vent bezels, aluminium inner door handles and locks, old-feel off-road instruction notes (on how to operate the low range etc.) with heritage logo – these items infuse a strong classic look&feel.

The centre console is also painted Grasmere Green, while seats are upholstered in Almond Resolve cloth (and the same material on the cubby lid) with Ebony (black) vinyl sides and backs, and seat tags with HUE lettering.  Perforated leather is applied to the steering wheel rim, gear knob and handbrake lever.  Heritage logo rubber floor mats (which are a must-have for driving through the mud) finish off the rugged Land Rover look.

The Defender Heritage Edition is aimed at the Defender purist – it offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modernity.

Land Rover Defender Adventure Edition – expedition in style

For a more modern interpretation of Defender, which has been the vehicle of choice for many an expedition, there is the Adventure Edition, available in a choice of 3 metallic paintwork colours, namely Yulong White, Corris Grey or Phoenix Orange.

Its unique features include a contrast Santorini Black grille in Adventure design, and same black paint applied to the contrast roof, bonnet, headlamp surrounds, rear door and wheel arches.

As Defenders are meant to go proper off-roading, the underbody has sill and sump protectors.  The Good Year MT/R off-road tyres have white lettering (a distinct 4x4 style).  The wheels are split-spoke gloss black with high-sheen silver finish.  Front wings feature either the 90 or 110 badge, applicable to model.

Interior style items covered include Windsor leather upholstery and front passenger facia, leather trimmed door panels and steering wheel wrap, aluminium interior door handles and locks, bright finish with rubber pedals, black headlining, Santorini Black centre console, and heritage logo bespoke carpet floor mats.

The Adventure Edition pays homage to Defender’s ‘go anywhere, do anything’ appeal, offering a combination of unique feature content, contemporary design and Defender’s legendary capability.  Here the focus is more on adventure and comfort.

4 trim colour combinations, designed to harmonise with the exterior paint, are available – all are 2-tone with black, including Ivory, Lunar (light grey), Cirrus (dark grey) and Pimento (red).

Surprisingly, the Defender Adventure Edition even has 7-inch LED projector headlamps!  Items like the expedition roof rack and snorkel accessories can be dealer-fitted.

The pricing perspective on these very special editions

Land Rover limited editions (and there have been at least 1 every year recently) understandably have more equipment and the limited edition appeal (a factor not to be underestimated).  To put pricing into perspective, consider first the standard production-run Defender prices, which are Defender 90 station wagon S at R 543 800, and the Defender 110 station wagon S costing R 583 200.  So, for these very special editions, with plenty of extra kit and heritage features, the prices are:

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Land Rover Defender 90 Heritage Edition	R 605 500
Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage Edition	R 667 300
Land Rover Defender 90 Adventure Edition	R 658 300
Land Rover Defender 110 Adventure Edition	R 704 700

         
Defender fans, stories and celebrations

To continue to celebrate the Land Rover Defender, you can explore stories from other Defender owners/fans, and submit your own story at celebratedefender.com