New defender concept dead!!

According to new Brit magazines Gerry McGovern is quoted as saying the Defender concept thingy is not what we'll get after all. Thank Goodness!! Maybe they do listen to us after all.
 

haven

Expedition Leader
I think the car-like concept vehicle will be built. It just won't be sold as a Defender replacement. It will be marketed to twenty-somethings who want an all weather, all road vehicle for trips to the beach or mountains. Land Rover wants a fashionable sporty vehicle that's priced below the $45K Evoque.

My guess is that the next Defender will be made by Tata in India, and sold into developing markets in Africa and Asia.
 

justfred

Adventurer
Great to hear. Still will be interested to hear if the new vehicle ends up being built (as LR2 replacement?), and if it'll make it to the US.

Now if we could get them to quit calling the Evoque a "Range Rover"...
 

Steve UK

Adventurer
Bit more info.

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haven

Expedition Leader
The Defender's problem is not American Land Rover enthusiasts. The problem is that Japanese pickup trucks (mostly made in Thailand these days) are very capable, reliable, and inexpensive. And they meet the coming emissions and pedestrian safety rules. Land Rover waited too long to redesign the Defender.
 

Juddy

Adventurer
I would hate to be the man, who designs the new Defender, it will not please everyone. However Land Rover have a perfect opportunity here, to totally re market what is the most iconic 4wd every made.

If done correctly you will see the new Defender selling like hot cakes, and more so to those who have always shunned the current model ( and in this day and age you cant blame them, its like driving a old truck, compared to the likes of a 200 Series, Range Rover Jeep etc ). Non Land Rover buyers will be saying " oh look at the new Defender it looks so modern, and are Defenders one of the best 4wd ever made, its heritage will sell it, purist will hate it, but hey time stand stills for no one, and without change the Defender is dead.

Saying that I think in its current form, it will continue in limited markets, South East Asia for one.

Are they going to still offer, 4 plus wheel base options, 100s, of different body types, after all thats whats so good about the Defender, its been used for everything from a pick up to a fire engine.

I have heard talk that they may kill off the Defender name all together and have a new one...

For me i will always have my Series 2a, and we will have the 130 for a few more years, could be a D5 then...
 

Antichrist

Expedition Leader
The Defender IS a truck. I don't get the desire to make it in to a car. It makes no sense when Land Rover already has the Freelander 2. In fact because of the Freelander 2 the DC100 made no sense.

If people don't want a Defender much like the current one (solid axles, extremely versitile, basic and spartan versions available, etc.) then they have the Freelander, Discovery and RR available.
 

I Leak Oil

Expedition Leader
So it's your fault the DC100 is dead. Damn ugly Americans....
You've done nothing but deprive people from making choices between various shades of blue.:elkgrin:
 

Juddy

Adventurer
Free loader is hardly a iconic vehicle. And discoverys and range rovers are for people who need to feel wanted.

Funny how Americans refere to the defender as a truck. In Europe a truck would be a scania or Mercedes ( kenworth or mack in your world )

And that's the all point of making the new one suit a wider market.
 

I Leak Oil

Expedition Leader
Well since we're talking about humor, I think it's funny how my SIIa is badged as a "station wagon" by it's european manufacturer. It's just a generic term, much like "truck" is here, much like "Coke" is for cola.

I used to own a D1 and it had nothing to do with the desire to be wanted...I liked the truck so I bought it.
 

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