As the Land Rover Defender marches toward an official reveal, 4x4 fans are getting the best look yet at the SUV.
Defender prototypes have reached 1.2 million kilometers in testing. To mark the milestone, the brand has revealed an image of a far less camouflaged Defender clad in graphics of Tusk, a conservation group that has partnered with Land Rover for 15 years. The prototype will join Land Rover's Defender testing program and work in the Borana Conservancy in Kenya.
So far, the Defender has passed more than 45,000 tests in various climates and terrains, including temperature extremes of 122 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert and minus 40 degrees in arctic regions. When it comes to elevation, Land Rover has tested the new Defender in locations 10,000 feet above sea level.
The minimal camouflage on the prototype gives a better view of the Defender's profile. The best part of this image is that the prototype no longer wears the fake hood, which was recognizable as a false surface feature designed to preserve the secrecy of the final design. As expected, the real hood and front fascia profile are much more Discovery-like. Another bit of surface camo that was ditched was the squared-off roof, which also looked like a false surface feature. The real roof is far less boxy and more aerodynamic.
