The Land Rover Defender beat competition to win the coveted
World Car Design of the Year title at the annual World Car Awards.
It’s the third time Land Rover has claimed the coveted prize of ‘World Card Design of the Year’ following previous wins for Range Rover Velar (2018) and Range Rover Evoque (2012). The latest award adds to a growing tally of global awards for the new and rugged 4×4. Aimed at remaining true to the pioneering spirit, a Land Rover hallmark for over 70 years, the new Defender is aimed at redefining adventure for the 21st century. Available in a choice of body designs the Defender can be personalised with a choice of four accessory packs to help owners make the best use of their preferences. The World Car Design of the year prize recognises the most outstanding new car from the last 12 months and rewards vehicles demonstrating the highest standards of technical innovation and design. Land Rover Defender pushed the established boundaries. Averred Prof. Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rovers, “The new Defender is influenced by its past but is not constrained by it and we are delighted it has been honoured 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 4×4 that resonates with customers on an emotional level.” This year, all the contenders competing in the other four award categories were eligible for the World Car Design of the Year prize. A panel of seven automotive design experts reviewed the contenders to establish a shortlist of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote, made by the 93 international journalists that comprise the jury panel. The design experts 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, NewSchool of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.) The experts at Euro NCAP awarded the Defender a maximum five-star safety rating. ACI
