• Land Rover Defender earns a 'lifetime achievement' award and is the first vehicle to be inducted into Auto Express Hall of Fame
• Land Rover Discovery Sport judged Best Compact SUV in Auto Express New Car Awards

Whitley, UK, 1 July 2015 ‑ The Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Land Rover Defender have been honoured by leading UK weekly motoring magazine Auto Express. The Discovery Sport has been named as Best Compact SUV in the Auto Express New Car Awards, while the Land Rover Defender becomes the first vehicle to be inducted into the Auto Express Hall of Fame.

The honour for Defender celebrates 67 years of production of the original Land Rover, and the recent building of the two‑millionth example. Auto Express editor‑in‑chief Steve Fowler said: "We're delighted that the Defender is the first car to ever be inducted into the Auto Express Hall of Fame. It's a car that has enriched so many lives around the world for such a long period of time, but best of all, it's an example of British engineering at its finest. The first car launched back in 1948 was so clever and so right, that very little has changed between then and now ‑ it's an outstanding achievement and it's still an outstanding vehicle today."

Jaguar Land Rover engineering director Nick Rogers collected the award at last night's ceremony at London's Connaught Rooms. He said: "It's an honour to be accepting this award on behalf of everyone at Land Rover. Defender has always been an inspiration for our future products, and we continue to pioneer in the same way our founders did.

"Defender's longevity is a reflection of its appeal as a global motoring icon having explored the world many times over, so the Defender nameplate remains a key part of Land Rover's future product strategy."

The 2,000,000th Land Rover Series vehicle and Defender was completed at the Solihull production facility in May, with the help of a team of life‑long fans including adventurer Bear Grylls. It will be auctioned in December in aid of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Born Free Foundation.

Launched last autumn as the world's most versatile and capable premium compact SUV, the Discovery Sport has been quick to garner accolades. Steve Fowler said: "The new holder of the Auto Express Best Compact SUV title stands out as the very best in a hugely competitive market," adding: "It has been cleverly conceived with SUV users in mind, so it does the family things brilliantly, is great to drive, has awesome off‑road ability and plenty of tech on board. It's also a super‑stylish SUV, completing the appeal."

Vehicle programme director Paul Cleaver received the Discovery Sport award. He said: "It is enormously gratifying for everyone involved in the creation of the Discovery Sport to see their efforts and ingenuity recognised by the respected editorial team at Auto Express. We are immensely grateful for the honour."

Ends

Editors Notes:

ABOUT LAND ROVER

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.

ABOUT DEFENDER 2,000,000

The S90 HUE number plate references the first ever pre‑production Land Rover, registration 'HUE 166,' nicknamed 'Huey'. This Defender 90 Station Wagon was designed by Land Rover's Design Director and Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern and his team and executed by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team.

The vehicle combines the heritage of the Series Land Rovers with the premium finishes found on today's Defender Autobiography. Inside the vehicle, leather and machined aluminium touches complete the interior, including the fascia, steering wheel, gear knob and transfer knob, hand brake and door casings, all offering a premium finish.

Guests who contributed to the build:

ABOUT BONHAMS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge, Oxford and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit www.bonhams.com

ABOUT BORN FREE FOUNDATION

The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. Born Free rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and gives them lifetime care.

Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife work together without conflict. The organisation's high‑profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision‑makers and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. www.bornfree.org.uk

ABOUT IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest volunteer‑based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 189 member National Societies ‑ including the British Red Cross. It acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.

Land Rover has committed to a five year, £15million, partnership with the IFRC which aims to benefit thousands of people around the world. The partnership supports humanitarian projects such as improving water and sanitation, health and social care programmes and disaster planning in countries such as Australia, the UK, Niger and South Sudan.  Where necessary, Land Rover also loans and donates vehicles to help national societies reach hard to access communities. www.ifrc.org

For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:

Kim Palmer
Public Relations Manager, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 564 129
M: 07795 666 169
E: kpalmer@landrover.com

Tracey Tompsett
Senior Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 565 210
M: 07469 032 064
E: ttompset@landrover.com

Jessica Rumboll
Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 564 258
M: 07880 177 300
E: jrumboll@landrover.com

Editors Note:

‑        Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender,  Discovery, Discovery Sport,  Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.

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