INEOS has today confirmed that it has commissioned a full feasibility study into resurrecting the Land Rover Defender and held exploratory talks with Jaguar Land Rover.
INEOS has committed to treating the Defender’s much loved exterior shape “like a listed building”, making as few modifications as possible.
However, the company would substantially upgrade much of the vehicle engineering with the goal of matching the Toyota Landcruiser for reliability but keeping the Defender’s superior off road qualities.
The new vehicle would be capable of meeting all the latest global safety and emission standards.
“I am a great admirer of the Land Rover Defender”, says Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS Chairman, “and I think it can be upgraded to be the world’s best and most rugged off roader”.
Should the project go ahead, INEOS hope to make the new model in the north of the UK, preferably near a port facility.
INEOS believes its manufacturing expertise and its commitment to excellence would serve it well in this latest endeavour.
Jim Ratcliffe adds, “I am a passionate advocate of UK manufacturing and the Land Rover Defender has been a part of the British motoring scene for over sixty years. We want to breathe new life into it and make it even better than before”.
