Land Rover is continuing to explore how to approach the next generation Defender, as evidenced by this updated version of its DC100 Concept that was initially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The latest version features new 20-inch wheels shod with Cooper all-terrain tires and a new Heritage Blue paint scheme with a Candy Weiss roof.
Land Rover Chief Designer Gerry McGovern, who unveiled the new DC100 Concept to the Los Angeles Auto Show crowd, stressed that while the company is serious about building a new Defender, this particular concept may not be representative of the future production version. “The reality is that we’re serious about putting this vehicle into production – not necessarily this design, but a Defender into production,” he tells us. “It’s one of several design studies under consideration at the moment.”
It’s apparent that McGovern’s design team at Land Rover has struggled wrestling with rendering a modern day Defender that doesn’t abandon the model’s loyal followers. “Should it be evolutionary or should it be revolutionary? How much of the design cues based on the original functionality are relevant in a modern context? For us we feel it’s important to recognize our past but not be harnessed by it. The retro trap is one we have to be very careful of. If you’re too retrospective it can be a kiss of death.”
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