Tag Archives: Land Rover

NEW CARS

Land Rover Classic Builds a V8-Powered Quartet of Restomod Icons

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Land Rover’s Classic division has clearly discovered a lucrative formula: take one of Britain’s most enduring off-road icons, restore it with near-obsessive attention to detail, then offer it back to a clientele that wants heritage without compromise. The latest example of that philosophy doesn’t arrive as a single vehicle—but as a coordinated quartet of restomods heading to the same fortunate garage.

It’s been just over a decade since production of the original Land Rover Defender ceased, closing the chapter on a utilitarian legend that had long outlived most of its contemporaries. In the years since, Land Rover established its now well-regarded Classic division in Coventry, breathing new life into carefully selected Defenders built between 2012 and 2016. The result is a curated continuation of the model’s legacy—restored, upgraded, and reinterpreted for a very modern kind of off-road luxury buyer. In the broader landscape of heritage SUVs, even newer interpretations like the Ineos Grenadier underline just how influential the original Defender’s blueprint remains.

This particular commission pushes personalization into near-obsessive territory. A single enthusiast has ordered four separate builds, each in a different body style: 90 Station Wagon, 90 Soft Top, 110 Station Wagon, and 110 Double Cab Pick-Up. Mechanically, they share a familiar heart—a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 producing 405 hp and 515 Nm of torque, paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is delivered through a permanent four-wheel-drive system, good enough to haul the boxy silhouettes from 0–100 km/h in under six seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 170 km/h.

For a vehicle that began life as a rugged agricultural tool, those numbers feel almost surreal.

Visually, the brief leans heavily into spectacle. The quartet is finished in a bespoke “chameleon” paint effect that shifts between green, purple, and gold depending on the light—an almost concept-car flourish applied to one of the most utilitarian shapes in automotive history. White roofs and matching external roll cages provide contrast, while even the 18-inch alloy wheels receive the same color-shifting treatment, wrapped in all-terrain tires that hint at capability beneath the showmanship.

The execution is anything but superficial. Each paint job alone reportedly consumes around 400 hours, and the cabins receive equal attention. Inside, heavily sculpted seats are trimmed in pale leather, transforming the Defender’s traditionally hard-wearing interior into something closer to a boutique restomod lounge than a farm-ready cabin. Buyers can even specify modern infotainment—an optional 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—replacing the standard retro-style radio unit. It’s a small but telling reminder of how far these builds sit from their utilitarian origins.

The donor platform may be familiar, but the philosophy is not about preservation in the strict sense. Instead, Land Rover’s Classic operation is increasingly acting as a bridge between eras: retaining the silhouette and spirit of the original Defender while layering in performance, luxury, and personalization that would have been unthinkable during its working life.

In this case, the result is less a restoration and more a curated reinterpretation—four Defenders, four personalities, and one unmistakable reminder that some icons don’t retire. They simply get re-specified.

Source: Land Rover Classic

News

Chery Revives a Land Rover Icon for the Electrified Age

Chery is about to resurrect a nameplate that once helped invent the compact premium SUV—only this time, the badge reads Freelander and the engineering passport says China. Ahead of its official debut on March 31, the first model from Chery’s new Freelander brand has surfaced in the least glamorous way possible: battered and bruised after a crash test. But even through the crumpled sheetmetal, the message is clear—this is a deliberate nod to the original Land Rover formula, reinterpreted for the electrified era.

The heavily damaged prototypes, published by Chinese outlets, still reveal blocky proportions and squared-off lighting signatures that echo the late-’90s original. The front-end graphic, in particular, mirrors teaser imagery released earlier in the week, suggesting Chery isn’t shy about leaning into heritage. Whether that nostalgia translates into credibility remains to be seen, but visually, the connection is unmistakable.

Underneath, things get decidedly more modern. The new Freelander will ride on Chery’s flexible T1X platform, a familiar architecture already doing duty under several of the company’s crossovers. It’s a pragmatic choice—shared bones keep costs down—yet it also signals that this isn’t a ground-up luxury endeavor. Instead, expect a polished mainstream crossover positioned beneath Jaguar Land Rover’s imported heavy hitters.

Powertrain details are still thin, but the first model will arrive as a plug-in hybrid. Chery says it aims to “echo the original spirit” of the Freelander while appealing to tech-savvy Chinese buyers, which likely means a blend of electric range, digital-heavy interiors, and competitive pricing. In other words: less muddy-boots authenticity, more urban sophistication.

Strategically, the Freelander revival fills a gap left by the outgoing Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, whose local production in China is ending this year. The new model will be built at the Chery-JLR joint-venture plant and sold through a dedicated dealer network run by Chery, rather than folded into JLR’s newly separated “House of Brands” lineup. That separation is telling—Freelander is being treated as something adjacent to, rather than directly part of, the luxury portfolio.

For now, the focus is squarely on China, though executives have hinted at possible global expansion. That’s where things get complicated. A Chinese-built Freelander entering Europe could overlap with JLR’s forthcoming entry-level electric SUVs, potentially cannibalizing sales before they’ve even found their footing. From a business standpoint, that makes any Western rollout far from guaranteed.

The original Freelander, launched in 1997, helped pioneer the compact premium SUV segment with its monocoque construction and approachable size. It lasted two generations before giving way to the Discovery Sport in 2015. Nearly three decades later, the formula returns—only now it’s electrified, digitally focused, and shaped by the realities of the world’s largest car market.

If nothing else, the Freelander’s comeback is a reminder that in today’s auto industry, no badge ever really dies. It just waits for the right platform—and the right market—to be reborn.

Source: Autocar; Photos: MyDrivers

NEW CARS

Defender Dakar D7X‑R: Britain’s Iconic Off-Roader Tackles the Ultimate Desert Challenge

Land Rover’s Defender is no stranger to adventure, but the all-new Defender Dakar D7X‑R takes the storied British icon into uncharted territory: the 2026 Dakar Rally. Built to compete in the FIA’s new Stock category, the D7X‑R is more than just a rugged production SUV—it’s a purpose-built rally machine, designed to endure the desert’s relentless extremes.

Three elite crews will pilot the Defender Dakar D7X‑R over two grueling weeks, covering roughly 5,000 kilometers of timed stages and more than 80 hours of competitive driving. Leading the charge are Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel with co-driver Mika Metge, Rokas Baciuška paired with Oriol Vidal, and Sara Price alongside Sean Berriman. Behind the wheel, these drivers will be supported by an experienced cadre of engineers and mechanics, under the leadership of newly appointed Team Principal, Ian James.

A Production SUV Born for the Dakar

Unlike conventional rally cars, the D7X‑R begins its life on a production line in Nitra, Slovakia, adhering strictly to the Stock category rules. The bodyshell remains true to the production Defender 110 OCTA, one of Land Rover’s most capable Defenders ever. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine is retained, running on FIA-compliant sustainable fuel, while the eight-speed automatic transmission carries over from the road car, albeit with a lower final drive ratio optimized for rally conditions.

While the Stock category limits modifications, Defender Rally has fitted the D7X‑R with a host of rally-specific upgrades. A 550-liter fuel tank is integrated into the rear, ensuring the vehicle can survive stages exceeding 800 kilometers. The suspension has been tuned with BILSTEIN performance dampers, including a single coil-over front and twin rear dampers, capable of handling the extra weight and brutal off-road conditions. Approach and departure angles have been improved via modified front and rear bodywork, while extended wheel arches, raised ride height, and a wider 60mm track give the SUV a more aggressive stance.

Engineering for Extremes

Desert racing requires more than sheer power. Cooling is a critical concern in the Dakar’s scorching environments, and the D7X‑R features an upgraded system with a large radiator, four 12V fans, bonnet vents, and sand filters to protect the V8 from particulate ingestion. The brakes are bespoke rally units with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rears, while the electronics are consolidated into a single motorsport control unit with custom calibrations. A unique “Flight Mode” automatically modulates torque delivery when airborne, smoothing landings and protecting driveline components.

Inside the Rally Cockpit

The cabin is stripped for competition but far from spartan. FIA-regulated six-buckle seats are customized for each driver, with navigation and motorsport dashboards providing essential data at a glance. Storage solutions include space for eight liters of water, three spare wheels, hydraulic jacks, tools, and critical spare parts, all secured within the new roll cage. This is a vehicle built for endurance, comfort, and survivability across some of the planet’s harshest terrain.

Desert-Inspired Design

The D7X‑R wears an all-new “Geopalette” livery, inspired by the sand, stone, and earth tones of the Dakar desert, accented with hints of aqua drawn from rare desert water sources. The result is a vehicle that looks at home both in the dunes and on the pages of Land Rover’s adventure history.

Ready for the Challenge

Following over 6,000 kilometers of off-road testing, the D7X‑R is set for its competitive debut at the 2026 Dakar Rally, starting January 3 in Saudi Arabia. Ian James, Team Principal, is clear on the stakes: “Dakar represents one of the toughest challenges in motorsport—but that’s exactly why we are entering. With world-class partners and some of the best rally-raid drivers on the planet, we’ll give it our all.”

With its blend of production-bred reliability and rally-honed engineering, the Defender Dakar D7X‑R embodies the essence of British adventure. It’s a Defender built not just to survive the world’s harshest conditions, but to conquer them—on the ultimate stage.

Source: Land Rover