2014 Land Rover Defender 110 2.2-Litre Station Wagon (7-seats)

The icon. As much a part of British car culture as the Mini, the Jaguar E-Type or the Ford Escort - perhaps even more so. Though officially only known as a ‘Defender’ from 1990, as a rebadge of the previous 90 and 110 models, it was instantly familiar given the evolutionary relationship with the Series Land Rovers that preceded them. To the layman, the different versions have almost become interchangeable, not least because each represents the utilitarian, unpretentious, rugged off-roader that made Land Rover famous.

Throughout the 1990s, the model commenced its inevitable climb upmarket whilst remaining true (as close as possible) to its roots. Engine changes became a regular occurrence with the 200Tdi being followed by the 300Tdi, Td5 and then the Ford Duratorq that appeared in 2.4-litre form in 2007 and subsequently in 2.2-litre guise during 2012.

Despite, or perhaps because of, being recognisably related to the very first Land Rover of 1948, the Defender retained a steadfastly loyal customer base. Perhaps the most significant development, however, was nothing to do with a change in the vehicles appearance or specification - it was the gradual adoption amongst trendy metropolitan elites as their carriage of choice, taking the Land Rover legend from the country into the city. As such, it became popular with both cattle herders and yoga instructors alike, an expanding market that is now reflected in a replacement new-era Defender that’s as good carving through SW1 as it is up to its axles in mud. Defender production exceeded 2,000,000 examples before the model was dropped in 2016.

The vehicle presented here is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive 2014 Land Rover Defender 110 2.2-litre Station Wagon with the very useful seven-seat option. This low-mileage example is in quite exceptional condition, presented in the handsome factory colour of Fuji White, and standing out among the more common black and grey hues. It's powered by the 2.2-litre DT224 engine (122bhp and 265lb/ft) with permanent four-wheel drive through a 6-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows just 13,791 (at time of cataloguing) miles from new, which is supported by a superbly detailed service history.

Interestingly, in 2015, which was the Defender’s final year of production, Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull manufacturing plant donated this particular example to the Solihull-based charity ‘Troop Aid’, which helps injured troops returning to the UK. It was used by the charity for fundraising events, hence the low mileage, and was subsequently sold to a Land Rover enthusiast who has ensured it's remained in excellent condition, regularly undersealing it and having it routinely serviced.

What an opportunity to acquire a ‘real’ Land Rover Defender, the likes of which we won’t ever see again, with a mileage, condition and backstory that would be difficult to replicate.