Audacious plan hatched to bring back iconic Defender

A BID to resurrect the iconic Land Rover Defender – discontinued by Jaguar Land Rover in January – with a manufacturing facility possibly near a port in the North have been confirmed.

Chemical giant Ineos’ Land Rover-loving chairman Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed says the company has commissioned a full feasibility study into the project, pledging to treat the exterior shape of the off-roader “like a listed building” and 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”, said Ratcliffe. “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, 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 added: “I am a passionate advocate of UK manufacturing and the Land Rover Defender has been  part of the British motoring scene for over 60 years. We want to breathe new life into it and make it even better than before.”