Land Rover Pickup Trucks

With the pandemic still looming over our heads, 2021 was a pretty action-packed year for the auto industry. Sure, you had challenges, with automakers having to contend with issues like chip shortages, causing delays to consumers. But regardless, the show had to go on and we got some pretty cool cars making their debut, predominantly towards the latter half of 2021.

Let’s get one thing out of the way, 2021 really was also the year, when the market as a whole began to embrace EV’s and you could see several automakers both the legacy as well as EV startups bring several new models to market. Having said that, we did see some pretty cool ICE cars, also make their debut. Now there were several cars that made headlines this year, it was very difficult to pick out the best ones, but the cars on this list definitely stood out. Here’s our list of some of the most highly anticipated and important cars that were unveiled in 2021.

E.C.D. Automotive Design is known for Land Rover rebuilds. The company has worked on many unique projects in the past and is here with another one based on the Defender 130 pickup truck. Called the Project Mule, it comes with a plethora of changes inside out. It features a Chevy LS3 engine under the hood, an off-road suspension with a lift kit, teakwood bed, sheepskin and cowhide interior, and so on.

The Land Rover Defender is a capable off-roader with a lot of off-road tech and equipment fused with a conventional, boxy design. Even though it has all the characteristics to shine as a pickup truck, don’t expect it to happen any time soon.

However, that doesn’t mean that enthusiasts can’t imagine what it looks like. A rendering artist, Andrew Alewine, uploaded an image of the Defender imagined as a full-size pickup truck. Do you think it looks the part to take on the likes of the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado?

Land Rover brought back the 2020 Defender after a four-year hiatus and it is quite impressive. But, the new body and feel gave it more of an urban vibe than the classic off-roader pizzazz that the Defender is generally known for. So, to see how it weighs in the present scenario, the folks at TFL decided to take it off-roading along with the old Defender and the rugged Jeep Gladiator. Can it match its rivals as an off-roader, or has the new Defender become an urban commuter with a just little off-roading DNA left in it?

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was recently launched, and it was well-received by world. The Defender is one of the toughest off-roaders we have seen even in the past. So much so, in fact, that aftermarket companies took it in as their guinea pig and worked on it in various different ways. Here’s one such company called Classic Overland that turned this beast into something extraordinary. The 6x6 Defender is the ultimate off-roader that will conquer anything and everything in its path. But, where will you take this?

Now that the new 2020 Land Rover Defender has graced this pretty planet of ours after a three-year hiatus, all is right once again. So far, we’ve seen the Defender 90 and 110, but the rumor mill has churned out word that the Defender range will be expanding to include at least a 130 model that rival the Mercedes G-550 – at least in terms of pricing, anyway. A lot of interest has been expressed in a Defender pickup truck and, we’re not going to lie, it would probably get a lot of attention. Land Rover has come right out and said it isn’t going to happen despite the fact that the old Defender was offered as a pickup in various global markets. The rendering you see here, though, we hope, will change Land Rover’s mind because it’s certainly something we would like to see.

Land Rover Defender is not a new name. The off-road compact SUV came to life with this moniker in the 1980s, before which it was known as the Land Rover Ninety and Land Rover One Ten. This vehicle went off the production line in 2016, but such was the craze that the automaker had to cave into the customers’ demands, so it rolled out a special edition of the Defender called the Defender Works V-8 in 2018. The Defender, as is with any off-road truck, has been at the mercy of its owners and we have seen many customized versions of the same. But this one particular company called ECD Automotive Design specializes in customizing Defenders. It recently experimented with a customer Defender 130 and the results have made our day.

Land Rover is one of the few brands in the auto industry that abides by its identity unflinchingly. It’s known for building some of the finest SUVs in the world, and it stays in its own lane. When was the last time you heard Land Rover consider a sedan as part of its lineup? Never? That said, the automaker has shown its willingness to stretch its identity a bit. We saw it when it launched the Range Rover Evoque earlier this decade. Now, we could be seeing it again in the form of a single-cab pickup that will be based on the upcoming Defender.

By today’s industry standards, the Land Rover Defender doesn’t qualify as an SUV. It has a look that remains culled from past generations and it lacks the kind of state-of-the-art tech features that dominate the SUV landscape. But the perceived shortcomings of the Defender are also considered strengths by those who swear by it. And in case there are still people who doubt the affection fans have for the Defender, look no further than Florida-based East Cost Defender’s special edition creation, Project Viper.

While it’s not technically based on the Defender, it’s easy to see where Project Viper’s inspiration lies. There are also hints of inspiration from the Mercedes-AMG G63 6x6, so that shouldn’t be ignored. But don’t mistake the Project Viper for a custom SUV based on either model, because it’s not. The SUV is completely built from the ground-up by the company’s new Ultimate Vehicle Concept (UVC) division, which specializes on limited edition builds to create SUVs that are, in the words of ECD co-owner Scott Wallace, “not limited by a specific Bill of Materials or budget.” That disclaimer is particularly important to anyone who wishes to buy any one of the 10 Project Viper SUVs that ECD plans to build. See, it’s not all about aesthetic inspiration or premium tech for the company. It’s also about providing the most well-suited SUV for customers who are willing to pay the premium price to own one.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Project Viper by East Coast Defender.

Every fall, dozens of journalists from all over Texas and around the country gather to compare, test, and crown the winner of the “Truck of Texas” competition. It’s a coveted award from the Texas Auto Writers Association that signifies Texas’ collective approval of a truck. And not only are trucks involved, awards go out for the SUV and CUV of Texas.

I already touched on the topic in the preview piece, but awards are also given to the winner in each vehicle category and for various things like “best connectivity” and “best powertrain.”

This year’s competition was fierce. There were 84 vehicles present from 21 automakers entered into 17 different categories. Evaluating the field were 69 TAWA members comprised of journalists and social media influencers.

So let’s get down to the results. Keep reading for the full breakdown.

Continue reading for the results of the 2015 TAWA Truck Rodeo

Bond – James Bond. That name has an iconic ring to it, making people of all ages think about some suave debonair dressed in a tailored suit using the coolest gadgets and a seemingly bottomless bank account to thwart the plans of international criminals and spies. The latest installment of James Bond, Spectre, will be the series’ 24th movie since its beginnings in 1962.

I’ve already given the introduction to how much Texans love their trucks and how every year the Texas Auto Writers Association gathers to crown the winner; the coveted “Truck of Texas” award. Now let’s get down to some results.

Besides the main award, there were 17 other categories that each of the 75 vehicles fell into. These consisted of titles like “Midsized Crossover Utility Vehicles” and “Luxury Pickup Trucks.” Awards were also given for best connectivity, best powertrain, and best technology.

Each vehicle was subjected to a battery of tests that measured its ability to perform its intended function, whether that be towing, going off road, surrounding its occupants in luxury, or proving a great all-round family hauler. The vehicles were all competing within their respective category for the win.

So which truck, SUV, or crossover took home the Truck of Texas award? Continue reading to find out.

Not much goes together quite like Texas and trucks. It’s the U.S.’ largest truck market by a long shot and it’s plain to see as you peruse any given parking lot. Texans love their trucks. That’s why the Texas Auto Writers Association crowns a Truck of Texas winner every year after an extensive evaluation process.

As a member of TAWA, I spent the better part of a week in the dusty hills outside San Antonio testing 75 contenders vying for the prized top spot. Eighteen automakers from around the world were in attendance, the majority bringing more than a handful of vehicles.

Ground zero for testing was the famed Knibbe Ranch, with hundreds of acres of sprawling across the Lonestar state. Muddy creek crossings and rocky hill climbs, combined with twisty country roads and newly paved highways provided the test beds. Those trucks, SUVs and crossovers brave enough to tackle the off-road section were subjected to rock-strewn dirt roads that punished suspension parts and underbody skidplates. More road-biased crossovers were thrown around narrow roads and up steep hills. The new pavement along the Texas highway was still covered in loose asphalt with orange caution cones proving a tempting (yet highly illegal) slalom course. Thankfully no one attempted that obstacle.

The 60 journalists judging the event had a huge decision to make. What truck, SUV or crossover would be crowned the Truck of Texas? Well, you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out. We’ll announce the top winner and the winners of sub-categories on Wednesday.

Click past the jump for a full photo gallery

WhatCar? reports that Land Rover could launch a pickup version based on the next-generation Defender. The news broke after Land Rover design boss Gerry McGovern explained that the pickup can only be launched when more conventional models of the Defender hit the market.

Now, Land Rover is planning to introduce the new Defender in the year 2016, this according to reports, which will be available in five- and seven-seat configurations, and permanent all-wheel drive. The WhatCar? report goes on to say that the upcoming Defender pickup would be a premium offering with all-wheel drive as standard. It is touted to rival the Volkswagen Amarok

The pickup version will only come in a five-seat, crew-cab configuration with permanent all-wheel drive. Traditionally, the Land Rover Defender has been available in various body styles, including hard top, soft top, wagon, utility wagon, chassis cab, double cab, etc. The rugged Defender platform has proven to be versatile, which can be tailored for specific applications.

Click past the jump to read more about the Defender pickup

It is indeed a sad day as we learn of Land Rover’s plans to end production of the iconic but barely road-worthy Defender.

Automotive News reported that recent sales stats of this lovable truck are in a tailspin during its last years on the market before saying ‘bye bye’ for 2015.

U.S. federal safety, emissions and import duties on small trucks keep the go-anywhere vehicle from roaming our shores with its lack of compliance to such thing as crumple zones and airbags. The one Defender we did get is long gone even in England: the V-8 automatic convertible two-door. Almost all green and very charming, these were the rich-guy Wrangler Jeep of the 1990s.

In the markets where it is sold outside the UK, like continental Europe, 50 years of history is almost a negative feature versus ultramodern crossovers. The Defender’s main problem is that it drives like a ’lorrie’ and is more uncomfortable and thirsty with diesel than one too.

Europeans have simply lost interest in the Defender, with Land Rover selling a mere 561 units in the first eight months of 2013, according to JATO Dynamics.

The historic SUV first saw production in 1983 and was sold within the US in very limited numbers. It was built on both a 90-inch or 110-inch wheelbase and featured a variety of different powerplants - both gasoline and diesel – and body configurations.

The Defender’s extreme prowess off road and its rarity have earned it a cult following among enthusiasts. Such conditions have kept values for Defenders rather elevated for those in the US – even causing some to enter the country via the black market and away from Uncle Sam’s watchful regulatory eye.

However, there may be a silver lining in losing the Defender. A replacement for the hard-hitting rover is likely in the works and would be built well within the safety standards of governments world-wide and feature amenities buyers no longer consider optional. Power steering, a suspension that absorbs bumps and strong A/C are all features the Defender lacks.

Much of JLR’s cash is tied up trying to resuscitate Jaguar, so the Defender is taking a back seat in the new world of Euro6 and Cafe fuel standards.

"The Defender replacement remains far from ready due to a lack of volume and weak business case," analyst Max Warburton with Bernstein Research wrote in a recent report on Jaguar Land Rover.

Land Rover did show the DC100 concept at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, but according to Warburton, the project has since been scrubbed.

He says Land Rover is currently mulling over an aluminum-bodied vehicle that would employ the current Range Rover’s underpinnings as a possible Defender replacement.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Land Rover Defender.

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Did you ever think at a car could be powered by an airplane engine? Although it is still a concept, Bell Aurens unveiled today their customized Land Rover, powered by a 27-litre V12 Merlin engine and capable to develop 1,500 hp. Called the Longnose, the car you see in the photos represents an exclusive interpretation of the old design of the British car. The vehicle is in fact an off-road convertible, featuring a yacht-like tail like the cars back in 1930’s which will be powered also by the Rover V8 4.6-litre engine or the 5.0 or the V16(two V8 engines).

Being a custom built vehicle, it is hard to give an exactly price due to the fact that it will be built after the exactly indications of the customers. For example, the basic price for a standard tail vehicle powered by the 235 hp 4,6-litre V8 engine will be around € 125,000 plus VAT. A Longnose featuring yacht tail vehicle powered by a 5,0-litre capable to develop 280 hp will be offered at a price of approximately € 150,000.