Two-millionth Land Rover Defender sells for £400,000

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The 2,000,000th Land Rover Defender has sold at auction for £400,000

The Defender, which was assembled at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull plant, was "one-of-a-kind" according to the car manufacturer. It was built as a send-off for the iconic off-roader before production ceases in January 2016 – 68 years since the introduction of the Series 1 Land Rover it was developed from.

The car went under the hammer at Bonhams in London and was bought by a Qatari bidder. All proceeds will go to charity.

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The Defender boasts several distinct features, including a map of Red Wharf Bay in Anglesea engraved into the passenger side wing panel, with the same design embossed in the seats. There's also special "2,000,000" badging, as well as a S90 HUE licence plate – a reference to the 'HUE 116' plate worn by the first pre-production Land Rover back in 1948. Several celebrities took part in building the car back in May.

Land Rover has produced three special edition run-out models of the Defender as part of its farewell. There's the £61,845 Autobiography edition, the £43,495 Adventure edition, and the £27,800 Heritage edition, all with unique tweaks and features.

Speaking at the event, John Edwards, the managing director of JLR's special operations division, said: "Tonight's sale will go down as part of our history. Of course, Defender has a future and will live on in its own right. But the original Series Land Rovers and Defenders will also continue to thrive through our Jaguar Land Rover Heritage division."

While many car enthusiasts feel nostalgia for the Defender, The Telegraph's Andrew English says "everything that is good about it dates from years ago – Land Rover has starved this vehicle of investment." He's also sceptical of its replacement, claiming that "from the concepts and studies we've seen for its successor, they don't want to replace it with anything as competent or [as] rugged."

Land Rover revealed the DC100 concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, flirting with what the next step for the Defender could be.

Auto Express reports that an all new Defender could be with us in 2018. There could be three derivatives, stretching from a utilitarian version like the original to a more luxurious offering. "When you see the new Defender, people will know it's worthy of carrying the badge," Land Rover's design boss Gerry McGovern told the magazine.