Land Rover shows Defender concept in Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Motor Show didn’t have much for 4x4 enthusiasts.

But we were keen to collar the Land Rover execs for any word on the new Defender, and we weren’t disappointed – although, it was not what we expected.

The brand created a special collector’s Defender pedal car concept, previewing a full-production pedal car model that will go on sale in the UK 2016.

With production of current Defender now in its final phase, the unique pedal car concept represents a fitting tribute to the one of the world’s most iconic vehicles.

The Series Land Rover and Defender have been produced in Solihull, UK, since 1948.

The exclusive Defender pedal car is hand-built in the UK and styled to commemorate the legacy of the first-ever pre-production Land Rover, affectionately known as ‘Huey’, given its original numberplate of ‘HUE 166’.

The concept model is constructed using a rolled–edge aluminium frame complete with individual chassis number and personalised numberplate.

It is hand-finished in the same Loire Blue found on the full-scale Defender colour palette.

This exclusive version is constructed precisely to scale to incorporate all of the Defender’s distinctive characteristics such as protective chequer plate, cylindrical running bars and rugged off-road tyres complete with mudflaps.

The drive assembly is constructed to enable the young driver to pedal both forwards and backwards while a spring suspension and working brakes – complete with parking brake – will allow the little one to go on many big adventures.

Inside, a leather trimmed seats and steering wheel complete the overall design of the Defender pedal car.

The final production version of the Land Rover pedal car concept is expected to cost around £10,000.

We’ll continue to search out news on the full-size ‘new’ Defender, due out in 2017-2018, wherever possible.