Land Rover is said to be ending production of the iconic Defender in 2015 with a brand new looking model that “will be more desirable to look at.”

Out with the old in with the new

Speaking to Shropshire Star, Gerry McGovern promised the new Defender is going to focus on design since the model’s looks haven’t changed at all over the years so it “will have to wash its face.” As a result, the next-gen Land Rover Defender is going to be “more desirable to look at” with a “distinctive silhouette” and without looking “overtly functional.”

The company currently makes around 20000 Defenders a year, however, McGovern said this number needs to increase dramatically to make the project worthwhile.

“We are still making the business case, ultimately the new model will have to wash its face. We need to be looking at 100 000 vehicles a year and so we have to broaden its appeal.”

“The current Defender has never sold on its design and has changed very little over the years. What we are working on is something that will be more desirable to look at,” he said.

Arriving in the next two years

Exact details about the next-gen Land Rover Defender are yet to be disclosed, however the model is expected to feature a bolder and more sophisticated look. Meaning it might even share the same design language with recent Land Rover models such as the complete Range Rover line-up and the 2015 Discovery.

McGovern further said the next-gen Defender will not suit traditionalists “but they’ll have to live with it.” He added that the model “will still be as capable as before and there will be references to the old model. It might even have a spare wheel on the back.”

Aside from the body changes, the next generation also promises to be lighter, more aerodynamic and a better value proposition.

The next-gen Land Rover Defender is expected to launch in the next two years, while the current generation is set to cease production in 2015.