Out of Africa: Land Rover announces limited-edition Defender Africa

By Andrew Hard August 28, 2014

land rover announces limited edition defender africa lr def silver pack detail 190214 lowres 970x548 c — Image used with permission by copyright holder

There’s a brand new Defender on the way, but that isn’t stopping Land Rover from tweaking the current model before it goes to pasture.

The rugged Africa Edition of the Defender was announced this week, and according to the British automaker, it celebrates “over 67 years of boldly going where no vehicle has gone before.”

No, the special-edition Defender won’t have warp drive, but it does wear some exclusive gear that’s inspired by the world’s second-largest continent.

The vehicle’s Santorini black finish is accented by a striking red roof that reflects the country’s searing heat, and the red accents continue inside on the interior stitching.

Black saw tooth alloy wheels and a custom Defender Africa decal adorn the vehicles exterior, and optional accessories include a snorkel, roof rack, rear step, bumper caps, and a front protection bar.

Land Rover Defender Africa Edition — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Defender Africa package is available on the Defender 90 and Defender 110. The smaller Defender 90 seats four passengers, while the larger 110 model seats seven. Both models are equipped with a 2.2-liter diesel powerplant that allows the Defender to reach speeds of 90 mph. The special-edition will be limited to 50 units.

Related: Land Rover settles on design for Defender successor

The Africa Edition may be one of the final variants of the current Defender, but there is a new, U.S.-bound Defender design on the way.

It won’t look like the DC100 and DC100 Sport Concepts that premiered in 2011, as Land Rover has deemed their look to be “a little too generic.” Instead, the British manufacturer is returning to the boldly elemental design that propelled the iconic Defender to prominence over 50 years ago.

The replacement is still a ways off, but it’s expected to ride on an all-new platform when it does arrive. Land Rover has an annual sales goal of 50,000 units for the car, so cost effectiveness will likely be one of the 4×4’s core values.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.