Land Rover will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a new special edition of the iconic Defender – the SVX.

The Land Rover Defender SVX was unveiled for the first time by Zara Phillips at the British Red Cross Ball in London earlier this evening. The world's first SVX has been donated by Land Rover UK to the British Red Cross to auction at the ball.

"The Red Cross association with Land Rover goes back to 1954, when Land Rover supplied a vehicle to the British Red Cross for use in Dubai as a mobile dispensary," said James Johnstone, chairman for the British Red Cross Ball. "We are thrilled that Land Rover continues to support our vital humanitarian work today. Funds raised from auctioning this vehicle will go towards the work of the Red Cross in the UK and overseas, which this year has included the UK floods, Darfur Crisis and ongoing HIV work in Africa."

While most of the 25,000 Defenders produced each year are working tools for everyone from farmers and foresters to aid agencies, the SVX is the most stylish and feature-packed version that Land Rover has ever produced.

Special Edition Features

With metallic black paintwork and subtle satin black graphic decals, the Defender SVX will be available in both 90 soft-top and 90 station wagon versions. Distinctive exterior features have a contrasting silver finish, such as the unique 'Defender' and 'SVX' badges, tubular side-steps, and the bold surround for the front grille and new, clear-lens headlamps. All vehicles will also feature new, 'diamond turned' five-spoke alloy wheels, a reinforced aluminium front undershield and clear LED rear lights.

To bring the SVX interiors right up to date, they are equipped with custom-designed Recaro front seats, distinctive alloy gear knobs, a new audio system (with subwoofer and USB socket), iPod cradle and Garmin satellite navigation. The soft-top models are especially eye-catching, with a metallic silver tubular cage that supports a tailor-made, removable black fabric hood. This encloses a flat load-space and a spare wheel stowed behind the front seats, reminiscent of the very first open-top Land Rovers. Each SVX model for the UK will also come fitted with an individually numbered plaque, e.g. 001.

"The Defender SVX looks very different to a spartan 1948 Land Rover, but it's still an essentially practical vehicle that will enable you to go almost anywhere," says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director. "The new and much more refined diesel engine introduced earlier this year has been a great success with customers, and for those who want the ultimate Defender, we thought that the SVX special edition would be an ideal way to mark Land Rover's 60th birthday."

A total of 200 SVX vehicles will be made available in the UK – 140 two-seat Defender 90 soft-tops and 60 four-seat 90 station wagons. Production of the Defender SVX will start in spring 2008, with deliveries to customers starting from early summer for soft-tops and later in the summer for station wagons. Prices will be announced later in the year.

If you're a fan of the rough-and-tumble Land Rover Defender, you may want to prepare yourself as the next version may go "soft" as a standard "crossover".


According to British magazine Autocar, a replacement for the sexagenarian Defender is being delayed until a decision is made regarding its manufacture and production. Although parent company Tata has invested to build a new Defender by 2014, Defender faithful are fighting to ensure the model retains a prominent place in the lineup. The introduction of the front-wheel-drive Evoque was a departure from the brand known for go-anywhere utility vehicles.

In April, Automobile Magazine hinted that the T5 platform, which underpins the larger LR4 and Range Rover, might not be the best choice. European editor Georg Kacher suggested the new model "come down in price and go up in volume" and "introduce more on-road-focused, comfort-oriented, and user-friendly values to support the traditional hardcore off-road magic."

In June, it was suggested that "Project Icon," the codename for the next Defender, might take a different approach. Three options for a future Defender now existed: to employ a car-based platform, similar to the one used on the current LR2; to find a new partner for manufacturing and distribution; or building a rugged version for farmers, and a "chic" version for fashionistas.

The Land Rover Defender X-Tech offers raw and edgy style, with the class-leading all-terrain capability you would expect of this motoring icon.

The exterior is available in Zermatt Silver, enhanced by a contrasting Santorini Black finish to the roof and wheel arches. And, for the first time, this Defender is fitted with unique gloss black 16 inch Saw Tooth alloy wheels, to create a sense of raw utilitarianism.

The interior is available in Ebony and the seats offer the addition of leather side bolsters, for a more refined finish.

The Land Rover Defender X-Tech is available in the 90 Hard Top Commercial derivative, with the full range of accessories also available to enhance capability and individuality.

Powered by the 2.4 litre common-rail diesel engine, this Defender boasts fuel efficiency and performance with 360Nm torque for effortless towing and enhanced on-road performance.

The Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition will go on sale from March 2011 starting at £24,995.

•Class-leading all-terrain capability with a raw and edgy style.
•Two striking exterior colours - either Zermatt Silver or for the first time on a Defender, Nara Bronze, both with contrast Santorini Black finish to the roof and wheel arches.
•Introduction of 16 inch Saw Tooth alloy wheels.
•A choice of two interior colourways in either Ebony or a unique duo-tone Ebony and Almond interior.

Brussels Motorshow, 10th January 2011, Land Rover launches the new 2011 Defender Limited Edition.

The Defender Limited Edition offers raw and edgy style, with the class-leading all-terrain capability you would expect of this motoring icon.

The exterior is available in either Zermatt Silver or for the first time on a Defender, Nara Bronze. These contemporary colour schemes are enhanced by a contrasting Santorini Black finish to the roof and wheel arches. And for the first time unique gloss black 16 inch Saw Tooth alloy wheels, to create a sense of raw utilitarianism.

For the interior there are a choice of two colourways, either Ebony to complement the Zermatt Silver exterior or a duo-tone Ebony and Almond interior for the Nara Bronze exterior. The seats, with the addition of leather side bolsters, offer a more refined finish to the interior.

There are four derivatives available, including a 90 Hard Top, 90 Station Wagon and 110 Station Wagon, with the option of a utility pack available for the 110 Station Wagon. The full range of regular options and accessories are also available to enhance capability and individuality.

Powered by the 2.4 litre common-rail diesel engine, this Defender boasts fuel efficiency and performance, with 360Nm torque for effortless towing, and enhanced on-road performance.

The iconic Land Rover Defender now has even more rugged appeal with the launch of a Defender Special Edition.

Offering customers the same assured breadth of capability, the Defender Special Edition stands out from the crowd in Orkney Grey or striking Nara Bronze with contrast Santorini Black roof and wheel arches and black chequer plate along the bumper and sills.

A special 'DEFENDER' decal sits above the rear LED lights whilst the the jewel like design to the front lights is enhanced with Santorini Black headlamp surrounds in contrast to the body colour. This distinctive front end design is complemented with a body colour grille and gloss black Land Rover lettering on the bonnet. A rear step bumper assembly aids entry, exit and loading. Saw Tooth 16-inch alloy wheels and MTR off-road tyres complete the look giving the Defender Special Edition a powerfully strong and purposeful stance.

Nara Bronze is unique to this special edition and is available with a duo-tone Ebony & Almond interior with contrast Nutmeg stitching to the steering wheel and seats. A pure Ebony interior complements both the Orkney Grey and Nara Bronze with contrast Lunar stitching. The Land Rover logo is embossed on front headrests whilst carpet mats have the Defender logo woven in. To harmonise with the exterior of this special edition, the central switch panel matches the body colour of the vehicle with the same paint finish.

With a choice of the 90 Hard Top, 90 Station Wagon, 110 Station Wagon and 110 Utility Wagon, a range of standard options and accessories are available to add even more capability and character to this iconic four-wheel drive vehicle.

Powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, the Defender boasts 360Nm of torque for effortless towing and excellent driver refinement whether on or off-road.