Despite previous reports of Land Rover thinking of killing off the Land Rover Defender altogether, the off-road specialist is apparently planning to unveil a Land Rover Defender concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

(Land Rover Defender Ice edition used for illustration purposes only)

Since Mercedes-Benz will be dropping the G-Class wagon from its line-up in the near future, Land Rover is said to be keen on taking on the market all by itself with a new Defender. This upcoming concept version will be used to gauge the public’s reaction to a new-generation model.

In 2009, reports circulated suggesting that Land Rover was working on an all-new platform that was on schedule for a 2013 release. The Defender concept to be unveiled next month is highly likely to be a concept of that platform.

The problem the Land Rover Defender is facing is how it will continue to provide a handy tool to rival the popular four-wheel drive utes currently on sale, but also remaining relatively conservative with the price tag.

It’s also said to be a big task for Jaguar Land Rover to develop a fresh platform that’s worthy of the tough utilitarian character of the Defender, while still achieving higher quality than its ute rivals. In a previous report, Land Rover UK’s managing director Colin Green said,

“If we get it wrong we are messing up one of the industry’s biggest icons, and in that sense it’s a tremendous responsibility.”

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the Land Rover Defender concept’s unveiling in the coming weeks and look forward to providing full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.