LEGO has done Land Rover before, but this is for sure the coolest one yet. It’s a bricked-out version of the classic Defender 90. Outfitted with all of the off-road goodies of our wildest LEGO adventure dreams. Then, LEGO set up the hardest-to-reach LEGO store in the world because that’s just how the company rolls.
The LEGO Icons Classic Land Rover Defender 90 is being launched just in time for the 75th anniversary of the off-road icon. It’s not based on that original, though. Instead, it’s the 1983-2016 90 model — the one that became known as the Defender in 1990.
The Defender’s blocky lines are transformed almost perfectly into a LEGO kit. The kit has 2,336 pieces. When it’s done, the brick Defender measures six inches tall, six wide, and 12.5 inches long. This is no tiny kit.
The kit is loaded with cool functions and features like opening doors and hood and functioning steering. There are two engine options, too, and three different hoods. The interior has plenty of Defender details, and, like all Land Rovers, the suspension is fully functional.
LEGO Land Rover Classic Defender Builds
LEGO lets you build the kit two ways. Build it the first and you end up with a bone-stock-looking Defender 90, which is super cool.
Land Rover Defenders look best when they’re loaded with accessories, though, and LEGO delivers. There are spare tires, a roof rack with work lights, and an engine intake snorkel included.
There are side rails, traction plates, jerry cans for LEGO fuel, and even tools. If you want a shovel, axes, hammer, and fire extinguisher, they are all there.
Fit the off-road bumper and you even get a winch. A working winch, so you can help out your friends in their lesser LEGO off-roaders when they get stuck.
LEGO Defender Challenge
The hardest-to-reach LEGO store in the world is even cooler. LEGO made a film of two adventurers trying to reach the store, set up in the back of a real Land Rover (watch below).
LEGO put the store deep in the Scottish Highlands. Then it found Raha Moharrak and Aldo Kane to race to find it.
Moharrak is the first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest and the Seven Summits. Kane is an expert in extreme locations. He’s also a local, which might be a bit of an advantage.
Both are driving equally cool Land Rovers on the race. Kane’s is a Heritage Edition. One of the special models was made in 2015 as a tribute to the very first Land Rover models. Moharrak is in one of the just 25 Defender V8 Trophy models built in 2021. With that truck’s lovely Camel Trophy yellow paint.
The race is worth a watch, but what happens at the finish is the best part. Because both adventurers then have to build their LEGO Defenders. While making camp in the Highlands.
In case the cold and natural conditions weren’t enough, LEGO had some challenges in store. Things to make building the kits tougher than normal.
Moharrak is even wearing gloves because of the cold. Because who needs dexterity, right?
LEGO Classic Defender 90 Drops Soon
If you want one, the LEGO Classic Defender 90 goes on sale on July 1. The MSRP is a fraction of the real Defender, listed at $239.99.
VIP early access starts April 1 at the LEGO online store, or you can wait and hope at brick-and-mortar LEGO retailers in July.
