It's the end of an era for Jaguar Land Rover, ending the production line for one of the most loved and enduring road vehicles, the Land Rover Defender. Introduced in 1948 as simply the Land Rover, the Defender has since become as well known as other iconic vehicles like the VW Beetle, Ford Mustang and the original Mini.
The Defender had humble beginnings, starting off as a project in a bid to raise enough cash to restart mainstream car production at Britain's Rover brand, reported CNN. Designed initially for farmers and soldiers in post-war Britain, the development of the vehicle was impeded by a lack of steel and tools required to bend curves into the metal. The result was a durable 4x4 aluminum vehicle with an exceptional resistance to corrosion.
The durability and longevity of the Defender led to it becoming a British icon, used by the police service, coastguard, military, vets and even rock stars. It appeared in the James Bond movie "Skyfall," as well as Tom Cruises' "Edge of Tomorrow." In fact, it was so popular that it was the British Royals vehicle of choice while on state visits, as well as the daily drive of the Queen when she's on holiday in Scotland.
Jim Holder, editorial director of British magazines "Autocar" and "Whatcar" had high praises for the Defender, characterizing it as the a vehicle that "appeal[s] to every level of society," according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
"It's a classless vehicle. Anyone can drive it. You might be a farmer trying to get over the muddiest field or it might be the Queen driving around Windsor. Neither would surprise you if you saw it," he said. "It claims to do everything and to a degree it can do everything."
So why would a vehicle that claims to do it all - and actually do so - need to be discontinued? It turns out legislation and emissions laws played a large part in the development.
Due to stricter measures for new car emissions slated for 2020 meant there were "certain conditions the Defender just won't meet," the company said, according to the BBC.
However, even as one era ends, the company indicates a new one may be beginning: a replacement model for the Defender is in development and is slated to be launched in Dec. 2016.
