Frankfurt Motor Show 2011: Land Rover DC100

It might only sell some 20,000 units around the world, but for many car-lovers the venerable Land Rover Defender occupies a very special place in their hearts with its muddy tyres, familiar friendly face and uncontrollable urges to conquer looming obstructions. We recently drove the current model Land Rover Defender over moon-like terrain and can indeed confirm that it’s one incredibly climby piece of off-road kit.

So when Jaguar Land Rover recently announced plans to completely overhaul their Landie ready for a more frugal and sustainable, 2015 mud-plugging future, all fanatical eyes glared and sharp tongues readied for a lashing. 

Until now we’ve only had computer-generated concept car images, and it’s probably fair to say that the old school Defender enthusiasts turned their noses towards the ceiling when the ultra-modern new style was revealed. But they only buy a handful of the handful produced, or indeed are still running a Defender that was actually made in 1973, such is the longevity of these famers' friends. 

Now we can see the new look Defender in the concept-flesh with the freshly unveiled DC100 and DC100 Sport display cars at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Here they are, and aren’t they just giant-Tonka-tastic? 

For the modern world indeed, but there is still a great deal of the original, decades-old design to be seen in the new car, as well as plenty of future-proofing and widerness-bashing technology. 

Both concept DCs are based on the same lightweight platform and feature sustainable high-tech materials and the very latest technology to optimise fuel efficiency, including an 8-speed transmission, intelligent Stop/Start, and petrol and diesel engines with hybrid and plug-in capabilities. Permanent four-wheel drive features, of course. 

There’s new adventure-tech too for those that like to push their Defender to the limits of wet and wild adventure, in fact some of it could’ve come straight from Q’s too-much-cheese-dream-inspired drawing board. 

Terrain-i is a scanning device to warn of approaching obstacles when off-road. Wade Aid uses sonar technology to assess water depth and advise optimum wade-speed. And, my favourite; a driver-activated spiked tyre system can be deployed at the touch of a button in icy-climb conditions. A starring role in the 2015 Bond movie surely beckons…















Used by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in its humanitarian work across the globe, Land Rover will be developing their multi-configuration DC100 models with organisations that need and use them

www.landrover.com/gb/en/lr/defender/

Enjoying the show so far? Why not check out our Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 mega gallery of hot new models…


By Daniel Anslow

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