Land Rover marked 65 years of technology and innovation this week with a celebratory event at Land Rover’s first off-road proving ground; Packington Estate near Solihull.
To celebrate the 65th Anniversary, Land Rover launched a Special Edition Defender, the ‘LXV’. Just 65 Defender LXVs will be available in 90″ Hard Top form in the UK.
Over 130 heritage Land Rover vehicles attended the celebratory event at Packington Estate, which was the testing ground for the original 1947-48 Land Rover prototypes, through to the Range Rover development vehicles of the late 1960’s and early 70’s. These vehicles showcase key milestones in Land Rover’s 65-year history and also some 4×4 world firsts such as anti-lock brakes, adjustable air suspension, Electronic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Terrain Response and Stop/Start technologies.
The vehicles that were on display demonstrate Land Rover’s legendary breadth of capability, with ploughing, emergency service, military, expedition, royal and concept vehicles all firmly positioning Land Rover as the world’s most versatile vehicle. They sat alongside Land Rover’s current model line-up including the brand’s latest technological innovations in the form of the new Electric Defender research vehicle and the world’s first 9-speed transmission for a passenger car.
John Edwards, Land Rover’s Global Brand Director said, “Land Rover is celebrating 65 years of proud heritage. It is in fact a dual celebration, as March saw Land Rover deliver the strongest ever monthly and quarterly sales performance in its history.
“The all-new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are the result of unprecedented investment in technology, in engineering and in our manufacturing facilities to produce the world’s first SUVs with a lightweight aluminum body structure. Investing in innovation has always been the lifeblood of Land Rover and we will continue to develop innovative new technology and sustainable motoring solutions for the future, whilst retaining the class-leading and legendary breadth of capability that Land Rover’s heritage is built upon.”
