The Land Rover Defender 130 is a legendary off-roader that can easily tackle any terrain. But it's also a vehicle with a royal pedigree, as Queen Elizabeth II chose it as a gift to the British Red Cross for her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen has a long history of supporting the British Red Cross, dating back to 1943 when she became its patron at the age of 16. She has also been a loyal customer of Land Rover since 1952 when she received her first one as a present from her father, King George VI.
To celebrate her 70th year on the throne, the Queen commissioned a special edition of the Land Rover Defender 130, which is the largest and most spacious variant of the new-generation Defender that debuted in 2019. The vehicle was built by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) in collaboration with the British Red Cross and featured a bespoke design and equipment to suit its humanitarian mission.
The Defender 130 Jubilee Edition is painted in Royal Blue, the official color of the British monarchy, and has a white roof with a red cross emblem. It also has a unique grille with a chrome surround and a Union Jack badge, as well as special Jubilee decals on the doors and tailgate.
The interior is equally distinctive, with Windsor leather seats in Ebony and Ivory, contrast stitching in Royal Blue, and a plaque on the dashboard that reads "Presented by Her Majesty The Queen to the British Red Cross on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee". The vehicle also has a state-of-the-art infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, and a Meridian sound system.
But the most impressive feature of the Land Rover Defender 130 Jubilee Edition is its cargo area, which has been converted into a mobile medical unit. The vehicle can accommodate up to four stretchers or eight seats for patients, as well as a range of medical equipment such as oxygen tanks, defibrillators, first aid kits, and blood transfusion supplies. The vehicle also has a roof rack with additional storage space, a foldable awning, and LED spotlights for night operations.
The Land Rover Defender 130 Jubilee Edition is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission and a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and an electronic active differential. It also has an adaptive air suspension that can raise or lower the vehicle by up to 3.5 inches, as well as Terrain Response 2 system that can automatically adjust the vehicle's settings to different surfaces.
The Defender 130 Jubilee Edition was unveiled by the Queen herself at Buckingham Palace on February 6, 2022, which marked her accession day. The vehicle was then handed over to the British Red Cross, which will use it for emergency response and disaster relief operations across the United Kingdom and abroad.
The Defender 130 Jubilee Edition is a tribute to the Queen's remarkable reign and a testament to the enduring partnership between Land Rover and the British Red Cross. The two organizations have been working together since 1954, when Land Rover provided a fleet of vehicles for the Red Cross' humanitarian efforts in Africa. Since then, Land Rover has donated more than 120 vehicles and $18 million to support the Red Cross' work around the world.
The Land Rover Defender 130 Jubilee Edition is one of a kind and will not be available for sale to the public. However, Land Rover fans can still admire its beauty and functionality at various events as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
