An redesigned Land Rover Defender seemingly has been in the pipeline for quite a while but it is getting closer to realisation – although a big issue is making the business case.

What we will see, in two or three years, will be quite a radical departure from what has become something of an automotive icon over its 60 year history, according to the Tata Motors owned SUV and offroader specialist’s design director Gerry McGovern.

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The company makes around 20,000 Defenders a year but McGovern said this needs to increase dramatically to make the project worthwhile.

“We are still making the business case, ultimately the new model will have to wash its face. We need to be looking at 100,000 vehicles a year and so we have to broaden its appeal.

“The current Defender has never sold on its design and has changed very little over the years. What we are working on is something that will be more desirable to look at – the traditionalists might not like it but they’ll have to live with it. It will still be as capable as before and there will be references to the old model – it might even have a spare wheel on the back.

“The important thing is to get the proportions right, give it a distinctive silhouette and wider appeal. A Defender doesn’t have to look overtly functional. We are taking a more sophisticated approach.”

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McGovern added: “What we really need to do is make the Defender more relevant to the modern world, lighter, more aerodynamic and more cost effective. There is still a lot of work to do on the business case, the architecture, where we will build it and so on, so we are still looking at least two years or more from now.”