2015 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 HERITAGE - JLR PRESS CAR

A unique opportunity to purchase the Jaguar Land Rover press vehicle owned and maintained by Land Rover UK from new; this 2015 Defender 90 Heritage Hard Top is a stunning example of the desirable special-edition utility vehicle and has covered just shy of 6,000 miles to date.

First registered in July 2015 directly by Land Rover UK to be the press vehicle, the manufacturer is listed as the only prior keeper on its V5C. Today, it is offered for sale via the trade having been collected directly from Land Rover’s Heritage Centre in Solihull at the end of 2020, now presenting a unique opportunity to purchase this Defender Heritage with unrepeatable provenance.

As part of Land Rover’s press fleet, this Defender 90 was carefully valeted and inspected before and after each outing, and its bodywork remains in outstanding, unmarked condition. Its charming Grasmere Green paintwork is pristine, with no dents or other damage, while the classic-style front grille provides a nod to the marque’s previous models. As with all Heritage editions, this example rides on a set of rugged 16-inch steel wheels, which are painted in the body colour and remain in great shape, with no kerbing damage and only a few tiny chips in the finish.

Under the bonnet is the robust 2.2-litre DT224 engine, which drives all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with a lockable centre differential and selectable low-range gearing for superior off-road performance. The odometer displays just 5,945 miles from new.

Produced to commemorate the end of the ‘classic’ Defender’s production, only 400 Heritage models were offered for sale in the UK. Available in both the short-wheelbase ‘90’ body style or the longer ‘110’ configuration, each was finished in Grasmere Green paintwork with a white roof and silver-painted door hinges and bumpers, and was fitted with heavy-duty steel wheels. As a nod to the marque’s heritage, the passenger-side front wing is embellished with black and white ‘HUE 166’ decal, which references the registration number of the world’s oldest surviving Land Rover, built in 1948.

In the cabin, this attractive off-roader references the past while also including a number of modern touches. Both of its seats are upholstered in Almond cloth, and are in great shape, with no rips, tears, scuffs or marks of any kind. The plastic trim is in similarly impressive condition, and the Grasmere Green centre console provides an appealing contrast while mirroring the body colour. Exclusive to the Heritage edition, the gear levers feature yellow and red rings, helping the driver to differentiate between them at a glance while also referencing the coloured knobs found in classic ‘Series’ Land Rovers.

In keeping with its reputation as a rugged utility vehicle, this Defender is fitted with an all-weather rubber boot liner, preventing any undesirable scratches or scrapes, and the front floor coverings are similarly purposeful. Nonetheless, the Heritage edition does include some creature comforts, namely air-conditioning and heated seats, and this example also features a factory-fitted Alpine radio/CD player. All of the interior buttons, switches and electrical items work without fault, and there are no warning lights displayed on the dashboard.

Owing to its life as a Land Rover press vehicle, this Defender Heritage’s mechanical components have been maintained to the highest standard, and it remains in excellent running order. Its most recent routine maintenance was carried out by Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in October 2020 at 5,945 miles, when the engine oil, oil filter and air cleaner element were replaced and the car was fully valeted. Prior to this, it was serviced in April 2018 and February 2016 at Land Rover, with no additional maintenance being required.

This iconic 4x4’s latest MOT test was conducted on 20 October 2020 at 5,925 miles, resulting in a clean, first-time pass. All four of its steel wheels are fitted with Goodyear Wrangler MT/R off-road tyres in size LT235/85 R16, which the vendor states are still in superb condition.

Accompanying this Defender 90 Heritage are its original handbooks contained within the correct blue document wallet, its past service invoices and other documents relating to its time as a press vehicle.

This 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 Heritage is a charming limited-edition example of the ever-popular British 4x4, which features a number of touches inspired by the marque’s past and is presented in outstanding overall condition. Kept and maintained by Jaguar Land Rover’s press department until being acquired by the trade, this low-mileage Defender has wanted for nothing, and represents the rare opportunity for the buyer to become its first private owner. It would be a superb addition to any collection of Land Rovers or modern classics, and is ultimately ready to be used as intended.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.