The Land Rover Defender began life back in 1948 and its basic design has changed little over the years, even if the name has been revised during its decades on the market.

But now these classic cars could be getting an update after the manufacturer showcased concept vehicles at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.

The Land Rover DC100 and its Sport variant look very different from the classic cars which were their inspiration, although head designer, Gerry McGovern, said that a radical rethink was required to keep the car relevant.

Interestingly, the Defender, which entered its most modern phases back in the late 1980s, has been kept away from the US market for over a decade due to its lack of safety equipment such as airbags.

The Defender's design was definitely archaic, even when it was rebadged under its current moniker, but it is the movement towards improved safety in Europe that is causing Land Rover to completely alter this range, while retaining the name and off-road ethos.

Hopefully, the Land Rover Defender's status as a classic is going to go from strength to strength as a result of this move, with vehicles being preserved rather than used as off-road workhorses.