Fans : The Queen and Prince Philip using a Defender in 1968 . Jaguar Land Rover yesterday breathed new life into its iconic Defender – a favourite of the Queen . It confirmed that it will create a new version of the 4x4 and also said the existing model will continue to roll off the production line . But amid announcements of the firm 's £600million investment in the UK it said neither model would be made in Britain . There had been rumours that a factory would be created in Coventry , possibly to build the revamped Defender . Manufacture of the current version of the all-terrain vehicle , first made in 1948 and one of the first cars owned by the Queen after she came to the throne in 1952 , is due to end in December after a series of special editions roll off the production line . But it is understood that the new model will be built abroad . A spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover , owned by Indian industrial giant Tata , said : 'We will create a new version of the Defender but no decision has been made on where it will be built or when . ' Commenting on the future of the existing model , the spokesman added : 'We are investigating the possibility of maintaining production of the current Defender at an overseas production facility for sale outside of the EU , after we cease building in the UK . ' This could mean it being built at Jaguar Land Rover 's factories in Brazil or China . Three-quarters of the two million Defenders built since launch are still in regular use . A prototype of the new generation 4x4 was unveiled in 2011 , and yesterday 's announcement brings it a step closer . But at the heart of Jaguar Land Rover 's current plans are a £400million revamp of its Castle Bromwich site in the West Midlands , including a £320million body shop to manufacture the XF , the new all-aluminium sports saloon . The remodelled car was launched earlier this week with a dramatic stunt – being driven on wires over water in London 's Docklands . Jaguar Land Rover also said it was doubling the size of its advanced design and engineering centre in Whitley , Coventry , at a cost of £50million , 'to support the company 's creation of high-technology , ultra-low emission vehicles ' . The plans are expected to create thousands more jobs on top of the 32,300 people the firm already employs in the UK . Jaguar Land Rover is also funding a £150million research complex – the National Automotive Innovation Centre – in partnership with Warwick University . Chief executive Dr Ralf Speth said the venture demonstrated its 'unwavering support to the British automotive industry ' . He added : 'This investment , made here in the heart of our UK business operations , signals the confidence we have in this region to support the creation , engineering and manufacture of ultra low-emission , premium British products . ' Revamp : The car maker plans a new-look Defender but has no date for launch .
Jaguar Land Rover has breathed new life into its iconic Defender model . It has confirmed it will create a new version of the one , liked by the Queen . But it 's understood despite £600m of UK investment , it will be built abroad .