Defender added six Atlas colours, two of them brand new: Aira Green and Jenolan Gold.
Four of the six look back at the brand’s past. Mara Red revives the heritage Masai Red and takes its tones from the Maasai lands of southwest Kenya. Pantelleria Blue is a contemporary take on the classic Pageant Blue, inspired by the Mediterranean and the Italian island of Pantelleria. Galway Green returns as a heritage colour, drawn from the valleys, mountains and lakes of County Galway in Ireland. Buckingham Blue also returns, after Defender offered it between 2006 and 2013.
The two new colours are Aira Green and Jenolan Gold. Aira Green takes its tone from the mossy banks of the Aira Force Waterfall in the Lake District. Jenolan Gold draws on the golden limestone caves beneath Australia’s Blue Mountains. Defender says neither is available for sale yet, and both may change before launch.
Atlas is the first range Defender developed on its new Universal Paint Line in Nitra, Slovakia, after additional investment at the plant. The line uses seven-axis robots on overhead rails, with spray nozzles that change automatically.
Defender says it tests the Atlas range to withstand four times the industry standard for grit blasting. Engineers also submerge a painted panel in water for 72 hours, then repeat the cycle.
Atlas pairs with a black contrast roof as standard, and a white contrast roof is available as an option. The colours can also be specified with gloss or matte protective films. The film has self-healing properties that use the sun’s UV rays to repair micro-scratches over time.
Defender offers Atlas across the line-up in several specifications, including the new Defender Vertex. Defender doesn’t offer Atlas on the Defender S, Hard Top S, 130 Outbound, Trophy Edition, MENA 525 Ultimate Edition, China Black Outfit Edition, and OCTA Black.
Atlas joins Tasman Blue, Woolstone Green, and Carpathian Grey, plus Namib Orange, which Defender introduced earlier this year. Defender traces its roots to the first Land Rover in 1948 and is sold in 121 countries.
