4x4 Car Extraordinaire - The Latest Defender

If you live in Africa (or anywhere in the world for that matter) and you know anything about cars, you most probably know the Land Rover Defender; in fact, even if you died 40 years ago, you still know the recent 2006 model-it looks like the first one!

If by some chance, you are not familiar with this never-say-die monster of a 4x4, let me break it down to you (not the car, thats impossible):

When I say never-say-die, I not only mean that this car will outlive you, but also that this car (if I can even call it a car) is indestructible-its like an over-ground fortress or something, like the ones that Saddam Hussein was thought to have had as back up, only his were underground. But unlike Saddams underground hide-outs, this beast of a machine can be seen just about anywhere, roaming the streets like dinosaurs used to back in the day, before they succumbed to some speculated Ice Age, an Ice Age which the Defender easily adapted to by getting a heater, and then later, an air-conditioner.

You think Im kidding, Google the first Land Rover (if they even have records) and then compare it to the new, slick, more urban 2006 model. There are about, actually, not about, there are less than five changes; air-con now comes standard, electric windows too, its got a few cup holders and its user friendly-more ladies and metro-sexual men can be seen in one these days.

One unbelievable thing though, jokes aside (not that Ive been joking); the Defender is one of the most sought after vehicles, and dont even tell me about puny folks wagons. Where in the world (or anywhere else), have you ever heard of a company that buys another company, not to get bigger, or even better? Well, Ford owned Land Rover; they sold them to Jaguar, which was a bit back-to-front- youd think Jaguar, seeing as their also British, would be the one selling to the American muscle and not the other way around. Anyways, Jaguar has now sold Land Rover to TATA, the Indian firm which recently launched the worlds cheapest car. What in the world would TATA want with Land Rover? The answer is theyre not interested in Land Rover as a whole, none of the above companies were; all they wanted was to study the anatomy of a Defender-what keeps it going like the Energizer bunny? We will never in a million years. The Ford Territory is rumoured to be built in accordance to a Defender. Now thats a joke, and I didnt cook it.

So whatever one may say about the Defender, its here to stay, well thats hoping TATA doesnt stop production-to make way for the cheapest 4x4 or something. But even if they did stop production, the Defender would probably make itself. Anythings possible with that thing.

About The Author Juice went on an African adventure and he was so impressed with the Defender that his favourite 4x4 rental company hooked him up with.