This Is Our Best Look Yet At The New Land Rover Defender

May. 11, 2019 7:50 AM ET by Martin Bigg Teaser / 5 Comments

Prince Harry has given the new Land Rover Defender his seal of approval.

Now that the new Land Rover Defender's world debut has been penciled in for September, the teaser campaign for the new rugged off-roader is gaining traction. New photos released by Land Rover show the new Defender sporting less camouflage than previous prototypes, giving us a much clearer look at the boxy front end. The square headlights are now visible, as are the flared wheel arches. The camouflage is finished in a special livery promoting Land Rover's sponsorship of the Invictus Games.

At the event, one of the first people to give the new Defender their seal of appeal was the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, who is the Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation. As well as viewing the new Defender with Dutch Invictus Games medal winner Jack Pastora, The Duke will experience Jaguar Land Rover's prototype Mobility Door technology in a Range Rover Sport, assisted by Invictus Games London 2014 gold medallist and TV presenter JJ Chalmers, a former Royal Marines soldier. This system allows occupants to open and close the doors at the push of a button, without having to reach out to pull them shut.

Land Rover

Next year, Invictus Games competitors in the Jaguar Land Rover Challenge will also be among the first people to drive the new Defender. "Everyone at Jaguar Land Rover is hugely passionate about the Invictus Games. We are delighted to continue as Presenting Partner for 2020", said JLR's CEO, Ralf Speth. "Having been to the US, Canada and Australia, we are excited to welcome this inspirational event back to Europe. I am also proud the competitors will be among the first people in the world to drive the new Defender when they compete in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge in The Hague."

After it debuts in September, deliveries of the new Defender will start next year. The rugged off-roader will be built at Jaguar Land Rover's new plant in Slovakia and will be offered in four-door 110 and two-door 90 variants. Both body styles will use 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline and diesel units in the entry-level versions, while upper-range models will feature 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline and diesel units with mild hybrid assistance. Compared to its predecessor, the new Defender will be much more modern, refined, and comfortable for everyday use but will still be highly capable off-road.