What to do with an automotive icon? The legendary Land Rover Defender sees no light at the end of the 2016 tunnel of Euro 5 restrictions, and is faced rather, with a very big question mark.
According to AutoExpress, Land Rover is confronting just what to do with its iconic Defender beyond the year 2016, and has a few options up its sleeve though no real plan as such.
A replacement plan for the offroader is no easy task, as Land Rover UK Managing Director Colin Green says: “If we get it wrong we are messing up one of the industry’s biggest icons, and in that sense it’s a tremendous responsibility.
” So what exactly are the options?The first is finding a new generation of cleaner engines which will comply with Euro 6 anti-pollution laws, but which will give it the same practicality enjoyed by hard-core users, as well as bestowing a broader appeal to a wider market.
A conundrum for just such a vehicle.
Another option is to build a new Defender based on the Discovery and Range Rover Sport chassis, but that would make it a more expensive vehicle.
And the final option would be to abandon the Defender alltogether.
Currently it’s the least-preferred option for Land Rover, but one which is still on the table….