It is not meant to be a copy of the previous one.

We’ve had ample time to get used to the new Land Rover Defender design. This is a Defender’s classic design, but it’s on a unibody platform that has some purists slightly upset. It’s not without its critics, but Land Rover’s design boss Gerry MacGovern spoke out in an interview with Gear Patrol.

Is the Defender too retro? Is the Defender not retro enough? McGovern responds to various criticisms during this Q&A session. He also discusses the design process and stands behind the product that you see here. McGovern said that the decision to build a new Defender began with the LR1 Concept in 2016. He offers an interesting perspective on the subject of retro and how to not follow old designs too closely.

According to Gear Patrol, McGovern stated that retrospectivism was the kiss of death. “It is a slippery slope.” This actually shows that you don’t have any new ideas for the future because you are too focused on the past. This is not to suggest that you don’t know your roots. I believe authenticity, especially in premium brands, is essential. You don’t allow that to manifest in your product so that it looks identical to something created 60 years ago. This is not honest design.

The new Defender has a familiar boxy design, but it also features modern rounded edges. McGovern states that the new Defender is not an evolution or rework of the original Defender, but rather a vehicle that draws inspiration from the past and stands on its own.

This Defender is unlike anything else. The new Defender is the first to ride on independent suspension. These aspects, along with the styling, have caused some to question the Defender’s ruggedness and ability in comparison to its predecessors. The Defender’s chief engineer released a video in December that showed the Defender tackling tough terrain and even getting airborne Raptor style.

Defender owners will ultimately decide if it lives up the reputation it has earned in previous versions. McGovern has more thoughts on the new off-roader, which will be available later in the year.