Land Rover’s new Defender hits Kenya for tough terrain test

Bloomberg

Jaguar Land Rover’s revamped Defender sport utility vehicle is headed for the rugged slopes of Kenya to tow heavy loads and wade through rivers before the resurrected icon goes on sale next year.
Testing of the prototype will take place in the Borana Conservancy and include carrying supplies across unforgiving terrain in real-world trials at the 14,000 hectare reserve, the carmaker said.
Land Rover in 2015 ceased production of the boxy British legend with legions of fans from English sheep farmers to Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II. The tests will ensure the new Defender is “the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made,” Engineering Director Nick Rogers said. Driving in Kenya “will allow our engineers to verify that we are meeting this target as we enter the final phase of our development programme.”