Land Rover

Land Rover, one of the most innovative and timeless brands in the automotive industry, was founded in 1920. It has been synonymous with conquering the world's most inhospitable terrain for close to a century.

Land Rover was founded in 1928 and has since become known for its innovation and capability in the automotive industry, particularly in conquering challenging terrains.

Design work for the Land Rover prototypes began in spring 1947, even before the project was officially announced in September of the same year. The focus was on creating a versatile and durable vehicle suitable for various practical farm uses.

In September 1947, the Land Rover project was officially initiated as a response to the need for a versatile farm vehicle smaller than a tractor. The project aimed to fill the gap in the market for a rugged yet agile vehicle, inspired by the Willys-Overland post-war Jeep.

On April 30, 1948, Land Rover secured a spot at the Amsterdam Model Show and proudly showcased its first models.

In 1955, a team of engineers embarked on the First Overland Expedition from London to Singapore using a Land Rover, which was considered the only suitable vehicle for the challenging journey. The expedition marked a significant milestone in the history of Land Rover.

In 1958, Land Rover introduced the Series II model, marking a new phase in the evolution of the iconic off-road vehicle. The Series II brought further advancements and improvements to the Land Rover lineup.

In 1961, the Series IIA was introduced, featuring a diesel engine with a 2,286cc capacity to match the petrol option.

In 1962, the 12-seater station wagon body was introduced for tax reasons, although fitting 12 adults into the vehicle was a tight squeeze. Additionally, the Series IIA Forward Control was introduced as the first Forward Control vehicle, designed as a robust load carrier with the cab positioned above the engine.

In 1967, Rover and Leyland merged with Leyland becoming the majority partner.

The Range Rover was launched in 1970, offering improved off-road capabilities compared to the Land Rover, along with introducing car-like comforts and styling. It also featured coil springs for the first time.

The Series III was introduced in 1971, replacing the Series IIA. It featured improvements like synchromesh on all high-box gears and had a similar external appearance to the IIA with changes in the grille and headlights.

The production of the One Millionth Land Rover took place in 1976, marking a significant milestone for the company. This achievement highlighted the enduring popularity and demand for Land Rover vehicles.

In 1978, Land Rover Limited gained independence as a separate entity under British Leyland Motors.

In 1979, a Range Rover emerged victorious as the first car to finish the Paris-Dakar Rally, showcasing the adventurous spirit and capability of Land Rover vehicles in extreme conditions.

In 1980, Land Rover addressed crank failures by introducing the 2,286 cc petrol/diesel, overhead-valve type 11J engine with a five-bearing crank. These engines lasted beyond the Series III production and into the Ninety and One Ten ranges.

In 1983, Land Rover introduced the models 90, 110, and 127, which were later consolidated under the name Defender in 1990.

In 1989, the Land Rover Discovery made its debut, offering a new model with advanced features and capabilities. This marked another important development in Land Rover's lineup of vehicles.

In 1993, a new 300TDi diesel engine option was introduced along with the rebranding of the vehicle.

On January 31, 1994, BMW acquired Rover Group plc, which included Land Rover. This acquisition marked a significant change in ownership for the company.

Production of the 'Classic' Range Rover ceased in 1996, marking the end of an era for the iconic vehicle.

The Freelander model was introduced in 1997 and became Europe's best selling model for five consecutive years.

The Freelander, designed to compete against small 4x4s such as the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, quickly becomes Europe's best selling 4x4.

In late 2001, under Ford ownership, the Range Rover III was introduced with a monocoque structure and independent suspension. This marked a significant development in the Range Rover lineup.

The third generation of the Range Rover, known as Range Rover Mk III, is launched with a major redesign.

Land Rover unveiled the Range Stormer concept vehicle at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, which later evolved into the Range Rover Sport.

The Range Rover Sport, a sports-focused SUV with athletic handling and uncompromised capability, was introduced by Land Rover in 2005. It featured an aerodynamic yet muscular exterior design.

On May 8, 2007, the 4,000,000th Land Rover, a Discovery 3, rolled off the production line. This milestone vehicle was donated to The Born Free Foundation.

On January 1, 2008, Ford declared Tata Motors as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover. This decision paved the way for a new chapter in the ownership of these iconic automotive brands.

On March 26, 2008, Ford announced the agreement to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover operations to Tata Motors. This marked the completion of the sale by the end of the second quarter of 2008.

The Range Rover Evoque was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, receiving the 'Car of the Year' title from various sources. It incorporated features from the LRX concept vehicle and presented a modern take on the classic Range Rover design.

The production of the Range Rover Evoque took place, following the design influence of the LRX concept vehicle. It marked a significant step in Land Rover's design evolution.

The fourth generation Range Rover introduced in 2012 featured a lightweight all-aluminum body, setting it apart with a long wheelbase and floating roof. It also showcased the advanced Terrain Response® system developed by Land Rover for optimal driving performance.

In February 2013, Land Rover revealed an All-Terrain Electric Defender at the Geneva Motor Show, designed for research purposes with zero emissions and impressive capabilities.

In 2014, the LR4 embarked on a 4,375-mile all-terrain adventure from Asheville, North Carolina to the Pacific Ocean coastline in Oregon, led by Land Rover Driving Instructor Tom Collins along the Trans-America Trail. The expedition utilized Sam Correro's off-road motorcycle trail map and Land Rover's standard navigation system, traversing desert, mountains, forests, and farmland.

The very first convertible Range Rover, the Evoque Convertible, combined the capability Land Rover vehicles are renowned for with a Z-fold roof, while maintaining a strong visual stance crafted by Land Rover designers. It became the world’s first premium compact and most capable all-terrain 4x4 convertible SUV.

In June 2018, Land Rover announced the launch of the 'Cortex' project, aiming to develop self-propelled off-road vehicles with advanced navigation capabilities.

In 2020, Land Rover launched the Defender (L663), the latest version of their iconic off-road vehicle.

In 2021, Land Rover introduced sophisticated plug-in hybrid variants for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, offering luxury buyers more options in electrification. The brand is moving towards all-electric models in the near future, combining efficiency with capability.

Land Rover has introduced sophisticated plug-in hybrid variants for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, providing luxury buyers with more options in the realm of electrification. This move aligns with the brand's commitment to combining efficiency with capability while maintaining its tradition of refinement and engineering excellence.

The 2023 Defender V8 Carpathian Edition is the top-of-the-line trim of the Defender featuring a powerful V8 engine and luxurious options. It boasts a 518hp and 461 lb-ft of torque 5.0L powerplant that can accelerate the Defender 90 from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.