Land Rover is sending off the Defender with three limited edition models

It doesn’t matter how successful, well-liked, or truly iconic a vehicle is, eventually it’s going to need to be replaced, and the Land Rover Defender is no exception. After decades of service, Jaguar Land Rover will finally be ceasing the production of the iconic Defender at the end of the year.

Fret not, because in the year leading up to the cessation of production,  the British automaker will be offering three different limited-edition versions of the Defender in order to pay homage to the model. Known as the Celebration Series, each of these three vehicles will represent the different elements that form the core of the Defender’s character.

“We wanted to mark the end of Defender production at Solihull with a special edition but coming up with a single identity was impossible, so we developed three very different interpretations of the Defender to reflect its strength and breadth of character,” said Nick Rogers on the automaker’s website. “Whether our customers want to celebrate Land Rover’s unrivalled off-road heritage, demand the ultimate in terms of design and performance or have a genuine thirst for adventure, there will be a limited edition Defender that will be fit for purpose.”

The Autobiography edition is the first of the three, and with its two-tone paintwork, Windsor leather upholstery, and an upgraded 2.1-liter four-cylinder engine that boosts the vehicle’s horsepower from 122 to 147, this edition represents the modern luxury side of the Defender. The automaker describes the vehicle as promising “more performance, luxury and comfort than ever before thanks to its comprehensive equipment list.” It’ll be going on sale for about £61,500 (€78,500) ($75,000) in April.

The Adventure edition, which embodies the Defender’s globe-traversing spirit, comes with extra underbody protection for the side sills and engine sump and comes equipped with rugged Goodyear MT/R tires. The automaker says that the vehicle is “aimed at Land Rover customers who relish the great outdoors and embrace the Defender’s ‘go anywhere, do anything’ attitude.” This off-road edition will sell for around £43,500 (€55,500) ($65,800) at an unknown date.

Lastly is the Heritage edition, which aims for something a bit more nostalgic with its Grasmere green body and white roof. The automaker claims that the vehicle was “inspired by early Land Rover models and mixes nostalgic design cues with modern creature comforts.” In a callback to the original pre-production Land Rover’s registration plate, the grille will be adorned with “HUE 116” graphics that give it a noticeably retro style. While the vehicle’s exterior is meant to pay tribute to the company’s first SUV, the interior maintains a focus on modern comfort an luxury, as evidenced by the abundance of leather coating and finished aluminum trim. The Heritage edition will be going up for sale in August for £30,900 (€39,500) ($46,700).

As another send-off for its iconic model, Jaguar Land Rover send six Defenders to Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey, the very place where Spencer Wilks drew the original designs for the vehicle in the sand back in 1947. The six Defenders worked together to create a massive, kilometer-wide drawing of a Defender in the sand in order to commemorate the event. You can watch the video of this on Land Rover’s official UK YouTube page.