Summarize

Defender Bakkie

We uncover the next Defender bakkie

Land Rover will launch a new bakkie part of extended Defender range in an effort to underpin the company’s commitment to its most famous model by 2020. The Defender SUV will be revealed as part of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations later this year, but more variants are already in the pipeline including the next Defender pick-up set to appeal to markets from the United States to Europe and Asia, among others, on the back of the likes of Mercedes-Benz moving into that burgeoning sector

A Defender pick-up will naturally also appeal to developing markets, including South America and Africa, where old Defenders are still used, although with perceptions of Land Cruiser and Hilux pick-up being more reliable and durable bakkie options, Land Rover will need to prove a Defender bakkie’s worth.

The bakkie will be based on the forthcoming longer-wheelbase Defender and likely to be offered in single and double-cab incarnations and powered by a range of 2-litre petrol and diesel JLR Ingenium engines, albeit as Land Rovers, only in 4x4 form. The new Defender bakkie will come in a broad three specification range, from a most spartan version built in a rumoured new Mexican JLR factory, up to a luxury to rival the likes of the X-Class and manufactured in the firm’s new Slovakian plant.