THE LAND ROVER TIMELINE

1948

The first Land Rover, a utilitarian, four-wheel drive off-roader inspired by the Second World War-era Willys Jeep. It cost from £450.

1958

Series 2 Land Rover launched. Still agricultural, but a larger capacity petrol engine replaced the puny 50bhp original.

1970

Range Rover launched. Larger and much more capable on-road than the original, although far from the luxury SUV it is today.

1971

Launch of Series 3, again remarkably similar to its predecessor. The 1,000,000th Land Rover was a Series 3, produced during 1976.

1990

The Series Land Rovers are renamed Defender, to coincide with the launch of a third model line called Discovery.

1997

Freelander launched, arguably one of the first “lifestyle” SUVs — and the first Land Rover with a car-like monocoque body.

2001

Third generation Range Rover, the L322, moves the model upmarket. It was engineered by BMW but built under Ford ownership.

2010

Range Rover Evoque launched. This smaller, more affordable yet still off-road-capable 4x4 further popularised the brand.

2012

Fourth generation of the Range Rover is the world’s first all-aluminium SUV, hence almost half a tonne lighter than its forebear.

2016

Defender production ends on 29 January after 68 years. Of 2,016,933 built, it is estimated that 70% are still on the road.

2020

All-new Defender. Although intended as the workhorse of the range, it is more opulent than a Series/ Defender owner would believe.

2024

Range Rover Electric, the company’s first fully batterypowered car, is claimed to match the performance of the existing V8-powered model. From £103,720.