JLR has expanded the paint palette of its eternally popular Defender SUV, announcing two new colors, two remixes of heritage colors, and two returning classic colors. These are all grouped as Atlas colors, the first developed at a new Universal Paint Line facility in Slovakia, and JLR says they’re “the most durable and robust Defender colors yet.” As an off-road-focused brand with a strong luxury streak, improved paint quality is especially important, so Defender tests its paint finishes to withstand four times the industry standard for grit blasting before submerging painted panels in water for three days and repeating the cycle. Happily, this process applies to all paints in the range, and these new Atlas options are permanent additions.
New Defender Atlas Colors Paired With Wraps
Mara Red is an updated version of Masai Red and Pantelleria Blue puts a fresh spin on Pageant Blue, while Galway Green and Buckingham Blue are returning heritage colors and Aira Green and Jenolan Gold are all-new. The latter pair are inspired by the Aira Force Waterfall in North West England’s Lake District mountain range and the limestone caves of Jenolan, Australia, respectively. All Atlas colors get a black roof as standard, but white is also available, and gloss or matte self-healing paint protection film can be specified to keep the paint fresh. This treatment is nothing new, though, as the Defender X, Vertex, and OCTA variants also have the option of a Patagonia White matte wrap with Fuji White paint. Other colors available in the Defender range include Namib Orange, introduced earlier this year, Tasman Blue, Woolstone Green, and Carpathian Grey.
As you can tell, each of these colors draws its inspiration from somewhere around the globe, but JLR hasn’t said what they cost in any region. However, the brand’s U.S. website currently lists gloss protective film at $5,450 and matte film at $5,950, with a white roof adding another $1,000 (only available with certain colors). Optional metallic colors cost at least $950, while newer hues like Namib Orange cost $1,550. We predict the Atlas colors will also cost at least $1,550.
Autoblog’s Take
With the Defender getting a mid-cycle refresh around the middle of the year, these new colors are intended to have a similar effect: grab the interest of those who are still considering upgrading to the new model year, whether they’re existing Defender owners or prospective conquest customers. The update brought revised styling and a new AI voice assistant, with updated mild-hybrid six-cylinder engines for some markets, so JLR isn’t keen on changing too much of a vehicle that still attracts over 100,000 worldwide buyers annually. Until the early 2030s, expect more of the same, with JLR’s attention focused on the Range Rover Electric and the Range Rover GT. Unlike the Evoque and Velar, the Defender is too important to discontinue now, maybe ever.
