The Land Rover Defender traces its roots back to 1948, when the first Land Rover was introduced as a rugged, utilitarian off-roader. The “Defender” name was officially introduced in 1990 to distinguish it from newer models like the Discovery and Range Rover. The design remained largely unchanged for decades, focusing on durability, off-road capability, and ease of maintenance.

In 2007, the Defender received a major update that included a new 2.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine (known as the Puma engine), a new 6-speed manual transmission, and a redesigned dashboard with improved ergonomics. This update modernised the Defender without compromising its traditional design.

By 2012, further updates were introduced to meet new European emissions regulations. The 2.4-litre diesel engine was replaced with a cleaner 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine. Despite the smaller displacement, the new engine delivered the same performance: approximately 122 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. A diesel particulate filter (DPF) was also added to reduce emissions.

The 6-speed manual transmission remained, providing a wide range of gear ratios for both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Defender retained its full-time four-wheel-drive system, locking centre differential, and solid axles, making it one of the most capable off-road vehicles of its time.

Cosmetically, the 2012 Defender offered new trim levels, alloy wheel designs, and improved interior finishes. Ventilated disc brakes became standard across most models. A soft-top option was reintroduced, allowing more customisation and appealing to lifestyle buyers as well as traditional utility users.

Throughout its production, the Defender was widely used by the military, emergency services, farmers, NGOs, and adventurers around the world. Its 2012 version was among the last before production of the classic Defender ended in 2016.