News just in that MBtech, which is a former Mercedes-Benz subsidiary has just been appointed by Ineos to design and engineer the new 4×4. Ineos and its billionaire founder Jim Ratcliffe has initiated plans are to build a modern ‘Defender’ which pays homage to the original, but with far superior build quality, modern safety and modern engines and deliver a 4×4 SUV which would appeal to proper Defender lovers.
Jim and Ineos have been having issues with Jaguar Land Rover management as they have refused Ineos the rights to the Defender and trying to Trademark the Defender to stop the plans dead.
Ineos has still to decide where their new Defender 4×4 will be built and they are targeting to deliver at least 25,000 units a year from 2020 onwards. Meanwhile, you can still buy a used Defender and do a modern engine/gearbox, electronics conversion right here in Malaysia to your desired specification and look.
