2007 Land Rover Defender

GAYDON, England — Land Rover has updated its long-lived Defender for its 60th birthday, but there are still no plans to bring the iconic off-roader back to the U.S. market.

The 2007 Defender, which gets numerous enhancements inside and out, goes on sale in mid-April in the U.K., priced from $36,667 for the basic Defender 90 pickup. The range-topping Defender 130 will reach British dealers in July, priced from $44,475.

Among the highlights for 2007 are a new 2.4-liter common-rail diesel engine, a six-speed gearbox, a fully integrated front fascia, new seating and improved heating and air-conditioning.

Land Rover says it still sells 6,000 Defenders a year in Britain, its largest market. U.K. dealers already have taken 800 orders for the new model, which can be ordered in one of 14 different body styles, including pickup, soft top, crew cab and station wagon.

source: insideline