Next-gen Land Rover Defender to go on sale in North America after 22 years

ABU DHABI: The new year gift is here for Land Rover Defender fans, especially for the ones residing in North America. Land Rover has announced the reveal of the next-gen Land Rover Defender this year. The model will be up for grab from 2020 in Canada and the US. What’s even more exciting is that the model will make a comeback to North America after a long 22-year suspension.

The Defender was sold in North America from 1993 to 1997 as North American Specification (NAS) model, which was found to be not profitable after some time. As a result, the company stopped producing and selling the NAS spec model in North America.

Talking about the next-gen Defender, it will be underpinned MLA platform from Jaguar Land Rover, will come with new exterior styling and interior design. Additionally, the model will be equipped with avant-garde driver assist features and modern connectivity systems that will add to occupants’ comfort and convenience.

Before the road-ready version is released, the company has planned to test it in different climatic and driving conditions. The development mules will be tested in the regions of temperatures -40 to 48 degrees Celsius. Moreover, they will be taken to altitudes of more than 13,000 feet above sea level for vigorous on- and off-road testing.

The Vice President of Marketing at Jaguar Land Rover North America, Kim McCullough said, “There are a handful of automobiles that are beloved around the world and stand for a brand, a country and a distinct way of life. The Land Rover Defender is such a singular vehicle.”

She concluded by adding, “On behalf of Land Rover and our retailers, we are proud to announce the voices of American and Canadian customers has been heard: the all-new Defender will be for sale here starting in 2020. This announcement is a holiday gift to our Defender fans in North America and a hint of what’s to come in the New Year.”