Iveco challenge for the Defender?

[Alaska Mike]

I have faith that LR will create a brilliant class leading vehicle in the the new Defender just as they have since 1948 with each new model.

Have you forgotten the Freelander? It was hardly earth-shaking, even in its class.

I have great faith that Land Rover will try to somehow fit into the new realities of the NA market somehow, and give the consumers what they want- A minivan/stationwagon replacement. If that doesn't work, I have faith that they will leave the market, never to return.

If they could somehow find a way to hint at the Series/Defender styling on a unibody vehicle (like Jeep did with the original Cherokee), they might have a chance of developing some brand-indentification that will set them apart from their competitors. Another generic, "euro-inspired" SUV, no matter how capable or innovative, will likely hasten their departure from the NA market.

If they could field a reliable and economical 4 cylinder turbodiesel for the US, that could also be a game changer. Then they could likely do a more traditional Land Rover and still meet fleet requirements. Somehow, I don't see them being on the leading edge, though.

 

[spikemd]

As a rebadged Defender, it is fugly. It looks like a Defender in a bad body kit with an HID light kit bought off Ebay.

Maybe in person it looks better. Either way, it would be nice to have a choice here in the states. It is a niche market, but look at how many new FJs Toyota sold and that the 4x4 market has actually grown the last ten years. Maybe by 2014 I would be ready for a new vehicle purchase. It definitely won't be an Evoque...

 

[Viggen]

I have faith that LR will create a brilliant class leading vehicle in the the new Defender just as they have since 1948 with each new model.
Time marches on and LR must make vehicles which appeal to a wider audiencet in order to stay in business and I for one prefer that LR continues to thrive and make great 4x4's for years to come.

Hahaha, I cant wait to see this one. The Freelander is crap so itll we will see. LR hardly has a good record when it comes to complete, from scratch designs. P38? LR3? Freelander? L322 RR/ RR Sport? Hardly.

This Iveco is HIDEOUS. The proposed atrocity that is the Defender redesign is the only thing that tops this things ugliness.

 

[discotdi]

Well the Freelander was a great vehicle for Europe, did not fit the US market and was brought here in haste by Ford before they understood the US market.In Europe it was and is a great car for what it was designed to do.

LR3, LR4 estupendo. New RR great car, RR Sport, really, a most awesome car for what it is designed for. Land Rover can't just make Defenders, the fact that they still make it at all is amazing.

 

[Adrift]

Personally I like the IVECO. I have no problem with it's looks, but then again I'm not a LR Purist.

 

[Lancer]

The price of civilian Defenders has always been ridiculously high for a utility vehicle; the main market for Defenders has always really been military/NGO/utility fleets(electricity suppliers etc who need to get to out-of-the-way places). It'll be interesting to see if the military will be interested in a unibody Defender.

I haven't seen any Massifs advertised for sale in this country yet; there has been a suggestion in the 4x4 press here that they won't be imported. If they are based on the Santanda (and they seem to be) then they are a very robust vehicle indeed; as for the leaf springs - if the vehicle does get widely exported around the world, maybe OME will market replacement/upgrades? We certainly get leaf upgrades for Series vehicles here!

 

[Gren_T]

I've driven a few of the iveco ps-10's & a couple of the massif in 3.0 ltr format in civy and millitary guise and i think it would make a great overlander, the ride is very good especially when loaded.

The engines and running gear are superb, the floor plan is different to the LR it does away with the seat box so you have good seats in a standard format.
I have also driven one with a suspension seat base that was very plush.
They have a plastic roof and doors that seal properly though the rain channel is metal to enable a gutter mount roof rack to be used.

Agreed its not pretty but the defender is the best they could do to style a brick, it has the same body format as the defender so something had to be done to distinguish it from the LR, it is fugly i agree but i would buy a second hand one if the price is right.

I think it is what a 90/110 would be like without the electronics. and crayola did the styling

 

[AxeAngel]

The Jeep guys think it should be a replacement for the commander. HAHAHA

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52274

 

[Viggen]

The Jeep guys think it should be a replacement for the commander. HAHAHA

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52274

I think just want to replace that gigantic POS. It would be one ugly truck for another.