I’ve missed many great cars, but you can’t have them all. I’m still waiting for the day I’ll drive my first Lotus vehicle. But somehow, I have never felt an affinity for Land Rover/Range Rover vehicles. That doesn’t mean I dislike them, and I’m fully aware of the iconic status some of them have in the community. But sometimes “things” just fall into my lap, and I drove three different models this year.

My godfather gave me the keys to his Land Rover Freelander for a drive up the mountain, and I was shocked at how capable that car was despite the steep inclines and rocky trails. Then, in April and July, I drove my buddy’s 2022 Range Rover Sport, and I found out that these cars can be extremely comfortable and enjoyable to drive on open roads.Fast-forward to August. I drove from Zurich to Berlin and back with Tobias Welti and his 2023 Land Rover Discovery, and I think I enjoyed that even more than I did the sport. Now that Mattel has announced launching an Elite 64 version of the 1994 Discovery, I was quite interested. The automotive manufacturer sold this model for almost a decade before introducing the Series II design in 1998. That was enough time for over a dozen special variations, but I will get to that soon.

The earliest Hot Wheels Land Rover I can think of is initially a casting from Corgi: the MkII. There are only a few variations to look for, and I’ve never seen one up close. Then we had complete radio silence for many years, but I clearly remember when I spotted the ’15 Land Rover Defender Double Cab in a toy store. Mattel has developed eight more variations since then, plus a bunch of other castings, such as the Land Rover Series III Pickup, the Land Rover Defender 90, and the Land Rover Series II.

There is even a Monster Truck version of the Defender 90. But if you only care about Premium collectibles, look for the Defender 110 Hard Top and the Defender 110 Pickup. Rumour has it a new model is coming up in the 2025 Car Culture: Team Transport series, but more on that later.

One thing’s for sure: the El Segundo-based diecast manufacturer has become quite interested in Land Rover models in recent years. Just think of it: we had the Defender 90 Pickup in the inaugural year of the Elite 64 series. Now, the brand is back with the 1994 Discovery model. It’s the sixth casting in the line for 2024, coming right after Brendon Vetuskey’s 1990 BMW 318i Touring.

Interestingly, it’s the second Mod Shop release this year, after the ’17 Toyota Tacoma. It’s a fantastic direction, allowing you to customize your collectible without fabrication skills. I just wish we’d get something similar for a race car or two, as I’ve already shown you a sneak peek of the 2025 Mod Shop, which contains the Jeep Gladiator.

Some of you may instantly think of the Camel Trophy edition of the Discovery upon seeing the latest Elite 64 release. It’s fascinating because it’s a 3-in-1 package, considering you can equip the accessories how you see fit. Having two sets of bespoke Real Riders wheels with a single car purchase is mind-blowing, and I hope this isn’t just a one-time deal.

While paying $20 for an Elite 64 model in the past that didn’t feature any moving parts didn’t make sense, I think people will rush to pay $30 for the Discovery. It will become available on Mattel Creations on October 24, 2024, at 9 AM PT. That’s less than a week before something that might generate an even bigger commotion in the community: the Red Line Club exclusive 1997 Toyota Supra.

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