Land Rover's Resilient, But Absent Defender

Tracing its routes back to postwar Britain, LandTransportation. Because of the limited number of
Rover has been one of the most recognized namesmodels sold in the U.S. and the big expense of
on the Australian outback, the African Savannah, andpreparing the Defender for airbags, Land Rover
in many other far flung places around the world. Sincedecided to quit importing the model in 1998.
1948, Land Rover has rivaled Jeep and Toyota inDefender enthusiasts mourned the decision, but
providing the most versatile 4x4 vehicles on theknew that given some time the Defender model
planet. Today, the Defender model continues towould reappear in the U.S. For the 2007 model year
trudge on with important updates scheduled for themany changes have been made, but not enough to
2007 model year. Please read on to capture thebring the storied Defender back to the U.S. The
essence of a brand that has admirably served drivercurrent updates, although many, are seen as only
and passenger for nearly six full decades.interim changes before an all new Defender is
Straight from the rubble of the Second World War,expected to be marketed in 2010. That model just
Britain was in need of a vehicle that could servemay meet all of the safety requirements found
farmers, the military, government officials, and thelacking in the current rendition of the Defender.
like. Particularly in the hilly midlands of central England,For 2007 the Defender will see the following changes
not just any car would do in a bid to carry doctors,according to the company's August 2006 press
veterinarians, and military personnel on their rounds. Ifrelease:
a road became impassable, no motorcar could be--Introduction of a 2.4L common rail diesel engine
trusted to do the job. Enter Land Rover.--A 6-speed gearbox for better off-roading and
The first Land Rover is actually derived from thecruising abilities
American jeep that saw duty throughout the war.--New front end treatment, better heating/ventilation,
Using a Jeep chassis, brothers Maurice and Spencermore comfortable seating
Wilks, both of whom worked for British automaker--The third row seat on the extended wheelbase
Rover decided that the Land Rover would go intomodel will be reversed to face front
production. Six decades later the company hasAdditionally, the Sport model will get the 3.6L V8
evolved and changed ownership numerous times anddiesel now found in the Range Rover.
the Defender, once offered for sale in the U.S., is noAlas, all of this good news does little for the
longer available in America.American consumer other than perhaps encouraging
Land Rover's decision to keep the Defender out ofthem to remind their local Land Rover dealer that a
the U.S. market is hinged on one very important fact:road ready American Defender would certainly be
the vehicle doesn't meet current stringent U.S. safetywelcome. With parent Ford Motor Company mulling
requirements. In particular, the Defender wasn't ablethe sale of both Land Rover and Jaguar, those
to be fitted with front passenger airbags, achanges are likely to come later, rather than sooner.
requirement mandated by the U.S. Department of