- New Land Rover Defender named 2021 World Car Design of the Year as all‑terrain model beats shortlisted rivals to win coveted award
- Judges commend the distinctive design of the Defender vehicle’s, off‑road capability, excellent on‑road dynamics and 21st century practicality and connectivity
- Line‑up provides incredible choice, including 90 and 110 body designs as well as new V8 powertrain
- Latest prize means Defender has now won 53 international awards since launch, with Land Rover experiencing unprecedented demand for the 90 and 110
- Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 are on sale now in the U.S. Configure yours at www.landroverusa.com/defender
The Land Rover Defender has been named 2021 World Car Design of the Year at the annual World Car Awards. It’s the third time Land Rover has claimed the coveted prize following previous wins for Range Rover Velar (2018) and Range Rover Evoque (2012) and is the latest in a number of global awards for the rugged 4x4.
New Defender remains true to the pioneering spirit that has been a Land Rover hallmark for more than 70 years and redefines adventure for the 21st century. Iconic in name, shape and capability, it is available in a choice of body designs and can be personalized with a choice of four Accessory Packs to help owners make more of their world.
The World Car Design of the Year prize recognizes the most outstanding new car of the last 12 months and rewards vehicles demonstrating the highest standards of technical innovation and design and that push established boundaries.
New Defender is influenced by its past but is not constrained by it and we are delighted it has been honored with this award. Our vision was to create a 21st century Defender by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and design while retaining its renowned DNA and off‑road capability. The result is a compelling 4x4 that resonates with customers on an emotional level.
Prof. Gerry McGovern OBE
Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rover
This year, all the contenders competing in the other four award categories were eligible for the World Car Design of the Year prize. A panel of seven automotive design experts reviewed the contenders to establish a shortlist of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote, made by the 93 international journalists that comprise the jury panel.
The design experts included Gernot Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim Design School), Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand‑Design), Patrick le Quément (France – Designer and President of the Strategy Committee – The Sustainable Design School), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University, Former Head of Design – Mazda), Victor Nacif (USA – Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, New School of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).
Land Rover Defender 90 P300
A distinctive silhouette makes the New Defender instantly recognizable, with minimal front and rear overhangs providing excellent approach and departure angles. Land Rover’s designers re‑envisioned familiar Defender trademarks, giving the 4x4 a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining the side‑hinged rear tailgate and externally‑mounted spare wheel that make the original so identifiable.
The stripped‑back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside, where structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been exposed, with the emphasis on simplicity and practicality. Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating configurations, while the 90 is capable of accommodating six occupants in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback.
Land Rover Defender 90
Defender’s breadth of capability raises the threshold for off‑road ruggedness and on‑road comfort. Underpinned by the Land Rover brand’s strong D7x aluminum platform – the brand’s stiffest ever body structure – advanced all‑terrain technologies and state‑of‑the‑art powertrains deliver incredible capability. Its carefully honed handling delivers a rewarding drive and first‑class comfort across many terrains, and the experts at Euro NCAP awarded the Defender a maximum five‑star safety rating.
INFOGRAPHIC - THE DEFENDER FAMILY
The Defender family now encompasses the Defender 90 and Defender 110. Since its launch, Defender has won more than 50 global accolades, including Top Gear’s 2020 Car of the Year, MotorTrend’s 2021 SUV of the Year and Autocar’s Best SUV 2020.
Further information
*All fuel consumption and CO2 data quoted above relates to Official EU‑WLTP TEL Combined Test Figures for five‑seat derivatives. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2 and fuel economy figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load and accessories.
Notes to Editors
Information about Land Rover North America products is available to consumers at www.landroverusa.com. Visit www.us.media.landrover.com for news releases, high‑resolution photographs and broadcast quality video footage. Additional media updates are available on Facebook (LandRoverUSA) and Twitter (@interactivelr).
About Land Rover
Founded in 1948, Land Rover designs and engineers its vehicles in the United Kingdom. For over 70 years the brand has built a reputation for providing its clientele with some of the most luxurious and capable vehicles in the world; whether driving through the heart of the city or traversing the countryside on‑ and off‑road. Today's Land Rover lineup includes the Defender; Discovery and Discovery Sport; Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque. Land Rover is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs. For more information, visit the official Land Rover website at www.landroverusa.com.
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all‑wheel‑drive vehicles; and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports sedan and sports car marques.
At Jaguar Land Rover we are driven by a desire to deliver class‑leading vehicles, providing experiences people love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe and in 2020 we sold 425,974 vehicles in 127 countries.
At heart we are a British company, with two major design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an Engine Manufacturing Centre and soon to be opened Battery Assembly Centre. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria and Slovakia. Three of our seven technology hubs are in the UK – Manchester, Warwick (NAIC) and London – with additional sites in Shannon, Ireland, Portland, USA, Budapest, Hungary and Changshu, China.
