Defending until the end of the decade

But the venerable Defender is scheduled to remain in production until at least 2010, according to a report by UK's Channel 4.

The British off-roader specialist has had an intensive product rollout over the past four years, resulting in the launch of the current-generation Range Rover, Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport.

An all-new Freelander will be unveiled this year and it was widely believed a new-age Defender -- based on the same platform as the Discovery 3 -- would be the next arrival.

However, Land Rover has instead decided to update the existing vehicle -- whose basic architecture dates back nearly 60 years -- in order to ensure it meets upcoming safety and emission standards.

The safety/emission upgrades will be achieved via a new range of engines -- the 4.4-litre V8 and 2.7-litre turbo-diesel V6 offered in the Disco 3 are the likely candidates -- and provision of additional airbags.

There may be a series of cosmetic tweaks, but the Defender will retain a ladder-frame box-section chassis, as per its 1948 ancestor. You won't find any high-tech air suspension here.

The updated Defender is scheduled to be unveiled internationally later this year, and sources say it will launch in the European market in about 12 months.

"Work is also underway to see if there are opportunities to extend Defender's life beyond 2010," a Land Rover source told Channel 4.

"Defender remains a significant contributor to the business, as well as an enduring symbol of Land Rover's 4x4 heritage. Its simple concept hasn't changed much over the years, but it remains as relevant as ever," said Land Rover boss Phil Popham recently.

"Defender continues to play a vital role for emergency services, aid workers and farmers around the world. As we grow Land Rover, we're not forgetting our core values and our traditional customers."

The Defender has lately been selling at the rate of around 25,000 annually worldwide, but Australian sales last year numbered just 197 (wagon and cab-chassis combined).