Today LEGO has revealed that the next large-scale vehicle in the Icons theme will be the venerable Defender 90 in celebration of the brand’s 75th anniversary this year. The Defender 90 is one of the most iconic vehicles in automotive history, with this design having been available from 1983-2016 before an updated version was introduced in 2020, which has already been the subject of a LEGO Technic model. 10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90 includes 2,336 pieces, making it one of the biggest System vehicles LEGO has ever made, edged out only by two movie vehicles, 76139 1989 Batmobile and 10274 Ghostbusters ECTO-1. The sand green Defender 90 is kitted out with loads of gear, all of which is removable, allowing you to display the vehicle either as stock or in full expedition mode. It also prominently features new System wheel arch elements that mirror those introduced in the Technic Defender model. The set will be available starting April 1 for US $239.99 | CAN $329.99 | UK £209.99.
Check out all the details below.
10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90 | 2,336 pieces | Available April 1 | US $239.99 | CAN $329.99 | UK £209.99
Here’s the official press release from LEGO. LEGO has not yet told us when the video featuring Raha Moharrak and Aldo Kane will be available, but we’ve included a gallery of promotional images from the video after the press release.
GO ANYWHERE, BUILD AND REBUILD THE NEW LEGO ICONS
CLASSIC LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90
16th March, 2023: Ignite the spirit of adventure with the new LEGO® Icons Classic Land Rover Defender 90. Launched as Land Rover celebrates its 75th anniversary, the 2,336 piece set is based on the classic design of the Land Rover Defender from 1983 to 2016 and comes complete with all the accessories needed for an off-road adventure.
To celebrate the launch of the set, the LEGO Group placed a bright yellow classic Land Rover Defender in the Scottish Highlands and transformed it into the hardest to reach LEGO Store in the world. In fact, it could only be reached via a gruelling off-road track and so the LEGO Group challenge two of the boldest adventurers to reach it. The ultimate challenge sees Raha Moharrak, the first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest and the Seven Summits and native Scottish adventurer and extreme locations expert, Aldo Kane, in a rigorous ascent to reach the remote LEGO Store, but to then also be the first to build the new set. But who will get there first?
The film shows the two traversing the terrains of the Scottish Highlands, navigating muddy tracks, bumpy roads and obstacles before racing to build the new 2,336 piece set in harsh weather conditions. One is a highly competitive daughter of the desert and regular LEGO builder, the other is on his home turf but embarking his first LEGO build in over 30 years. The challenge of adventure and play isn’t complete until the final brick clicks into place!
At the heart of the adventure is the LEGO Icons Classic Land Rover Defender 90 set, featuring the iconic Land Rover (name) green colour scheme. Faithfully replicating the classic Defender, the two-in-one format means brick and car fanatics alike can choose to build and display the everyday road-ready model before activating adventure mode and customising the build with accessories including the roof rack, engine snorkel, offroad front bumper and working winch, side rails, toolbox, a fire extinguisher, and traction plates for crossing mud and sand, and much more. The Defender has racked up 75 years of all-terrain expeditions. Instantly recognisable around the world, it has a unique record of adventure, humanitarian and hard work.
Kurt Kristiansen, LEGO Design Master commented: “Bringing the iconic Classic Land Rover Defender to brick life was no easy challenge. This prestigious car can take you anywhere, so during the design process we wanted to infuse the LEGO set with that sense of adventure. The two-in-one format means you can load up with all the necessary kit, whether you want to race through the Scottish like our adventurers Raha Moharrak and Aldo Kane, navigate water or even sandy dunes. We can’t wait to see fans reactions.”
Talking about her LEGO adventure, Raha Moharrak commented: “I was so excited when the LEGO Group asked me to be part of this campaign. I build at least one LEGO set each month so working with the two brands together has been an epic adventure. From getting to race across the Scottish Highlands in a classic Defender to trying to be the first to reach the hardest to reach LEGO store in the world and being one of the first to play with the new set, it really was a dream come true.”
Aldo Kane commented: “This was my first time building a LEGO set in years but I was pretty confident that I would have the driving aspects of the challenge down – after all, I grew up in the Highlands, so I had that to my advantage. Despite that, the rugged terrain and icy conditions did make it quite the adventure! I think my favourite part of the whole experience has been that Raha and I became friends through it all. That and playing with the new LEGO set – it’s pretty spectacular!”
The LEGO Icons Classic Land Rover Defender 90 set is available from 1st April 2023 via LEGO Stores and www.lego.com/Defender at the recommended retail price of £209.99/ €239.99 / $239.99
- Height: 6in / 16cm
- Width: 6in / 16cm
- Length: 12.5in / 32cm
- 2,336 pieces
- Fully functioning steering
- Two-in-once build which can be customized to the version you prefer – either standard or fully off-road ready.
- Functioning doors and hood
- Two different engine options
- Three different hood options
- Working suspension and interior details close to the real model
- Spare tires
- Roof rack with extra work lights
- Engine snorkel
- Offroad front bumper with extra protection and a working winch
- Side rails, jerrycans, a toolbox and a jack, a shovel, pickaxe, hammer and axe, a fire extinguisher, and traction plates for crossing mud and sand
This looks really good so far, amazing celebration idea from Lego. :)