GENEVA 2012: LAND ROVER DC100 GOES HI-TECH

It seems the Land Rover Defender has been around for as long as some of us have been alive! But it hasn’t. This impression is of course given by the fact that in its entire life, the vehicle seems to have kept to exactly the same look. Again, it hasn’t, but it just looks the same to the untrained eye. With the DC100 Concept, LR wants to break off from that old image and create a new-generation 4x4.

Aimed at upcoming off-road enthusiasts, the DC100 has been confirmed for introduction in 2015, although it may not look exactly like this model which was presented at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show. It comes with technologies such as an automatic i-Terrain device to assess surface conditions and respond accordingly, Wade Aid sonar technology to assess water depth and underwater terrain and a driver-activated spiked tyre system, deployed at the touch of a button to help tackle slippery ice and snow. 

At the time of its world debut during the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover said: “Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century.”