Land Rover Defender wins 2021 World Car Design of the Year

This is proving to be a good year for British four-wheel-drive vehicle manufacturer Land Rover. Just recently, they won the 2021 Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) and bagged two recognitions in the event including Best Medium SUV of 2021 and the coveted Supreme Winner Women’s World Car of the Year 2021.

This April, Land Rover took home another prestigious accolade after being named 2021 World Car Design of the Year at the annual World Car Awards. It’s the third time Land Rover won the event following previous wins for the Range Rover Velar (2018) and Range Rover Evoque (2012) and is the latest in a number of global awards for the rugged 4x4.

The World Car Design of the Year recognizes the most outstanding new car of the last 12 months and rewards vehicles that demonstrate the highest standards of technical innovation and design. Pitted against eligible contenders, the new Defender managed to stand out.

A panel of seven automotive design experts reviewed the contenders which included: Gernot Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim Design School), Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand-Design), Patrick le Quément (France – Designer and President of the Strategy Committee – The Sustainable Design School), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University, Former Head of Design – Mazda), Victor Nacif (USA – Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, New School of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).

“New Defender is influenced by its past but is not constrained by it and we are delighted it has been honored with this award. Our vision was to create a 21st century Defender by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and design while retaining its renowned DNA and off-road capability. The result is a compelling 4x4 that resonates with customers on an emotional level,” said or Jaguar Land Rover Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern Obe.

And although the new Defender represents the evolution of 4x4 innovation and improvement, it remains grounded to the pioneering rugged spirit that has been a Land Rover hallmark for more than 70 years.

The Defender lineup includes a wide range of models and variants with local offerings including the Defender 90, Defender 90 S, Defender 90 SE, and the Defender 90 HSE.

Photos from Land Rover

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