Land Rover has confirmed its DC100 Defender Concept -- set to premiere at next month's Frankfurt motor show -- will be used to investigate the potential for a design that will replace its most enduring model in 2015.
Retaining much of the boxy shape familiar to the current Defender, DC100 possesses what Land Rover says is a "functional and purposeful" design.
The design team, led by Land Rover's director of design, Gerry McGovern, aimed to produce a vehicle that is instantly recognisable as a Defender, yet still thoroughly modern. Retaining what McGovern says are the essential "elements of the car's character", this modern take still remains true to the model's 60 year heritage.
"Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide," said McGovern. "This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."
The Frankfurt International Motor Show runs from September 13 to 25.
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