Another Defender rumor

[haven]

Autocar magazine just published a new rumor regarding the fate of the Defender.

Land Rover management is supposed to be reconsidering the plan to produce a basic, rugged utility vehicle. The idea of building the new Defender in India has also been set aside. Reportedly, the new plan is to base the new Defender on the chassis under development for the next generation Discovery. The aluminum chassis will be built in England alongside the chassis for the Range Rover.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/plans-new-land-rover-defender-shaken

 

[LR Max]

Well if they do a good job like what they did with the LR3/4, then this shouldn't be a problem.

However if they pull another DC100 out, well then I guess I'll be coveting my 109 for a while.

 

[proper4wd]

Sounds about right, and coincides with my prediction in the other thread

 

[pugslyyy]

Arguably at one time the Defender (and Series trucks that preceded) was _the_ light duty truck/vehicle for developing countries. It hasn't been that way for some time - Want a ROW light duty truck or SUV? Buy a Hilux or TLC.

As a Land Rover fan I might not like it, but it is what it is.

I don't think that Land Rover is going to develop/market a ROW vehicle. Their market is Europe and North America now.

 

[proper4wd]

Their market is Europe and North America now.

And China

 

[DividingCreek]

Its a shame the truck as we know it will end in 2015, but my god its had one hell of an iconic run ! 32 years with very minimal changes/concessions to continuingly ever stringent safety and emmission laws around the world. Parts from a new one still bolt on a 1983 and vice versa which is why its such difficult vehicle for epa/dot/ and customs to regulate.

Only the (also iconic) aircooled porsche 911 had a longer run that I can think of.

 

[Haf-E]

Only the (also iconic) aircooled porsche 911 had a longer run that I can think of.

The Citroen 2cv was produced from 1948 to 1990 - 42 years - with fairly minor changes - parts are extremely interchangeable between any years... it was also assembled in 17 different countries over its production run.

 

[bh84]

This article from carsuk has a slightly different idea about how things might be shaping up at Land Rover.
http://www.carsuk.net/new-land-rover-freelander-will-actually-be-a-discovery/

 

[Roverx]

For what it's worth........ I've heard from a good source that LR is expected to offer a "Defender" style truck based on a LR3/4 platform. We will hopefully see it in the US but that is far from sure yet. The classic Defender as we know it will continue past 2015 but in limited production. ie military customers. ( easy sales, no ad's needed and ok margins) I'm happy with this as parts should stay plentiful for a good while

I love my LR and will drive it until I can't drive but honestly could care less if we see a defender clone of its self in the US market. It will be less in every way than the truck it's trying to replace. Next purchase I hope is a diesel wrangler. Fiat is the best thing that ever happened to them! Anyway, I can't really express how sad I am to watch Land Rover's slow decline. I'm amazed at how they can take a classic car brand and with event step make it less. My kids will study LR in college as " What not to Do" ugh!

 

[haven]

So if the new Defender turns out to be a Discovery with rubber floor mats and no sunroof, but with independent suspension at all four wheels, would you buy one?

 

[frank84]

So if the new Defender turns out to be a Discovery with rubber floor mats and no sunroof, but with independent suspension at all four wheels, would you buy one?

Doubt it. Though, my reason for not buying it would be because of all the discovery-like electronics. For me four wheeling is something I do because it is fun and a way to get outdoors and away from modern life. Its all the beeps, dings, computer screens, fault codes, and the million electronic features that will do it in for me - in fact, the current 2013 defenders may even be too far gone for me already.

 

[Fivespddisco]

So if the new Defender turns out to be a Discovery with rubber floor mats and no sunroof, but with independent suspension at all four wheels, would you buy one?

Yes
The Disco 3&4 can dance in the wright hands.

 

[JSBriggs]

Its a shame the truck as we know it will end in 2015, but my god its had one hell of an iconic run ! 32 years with very minimal changes/concessions to continuingly ever stringent safety and emmission laws around the world. Parts from a new one still bolt on a 1983 and vice versa which is why its such difficult vehicle for epa/dot/ and customs to regulate.

Only the (also iconic) aircooled porsche 911 had a longer run that I can think of.

I suppose it depends on how you count. The bodystyle came out in 1958, so a 57 year run. Its been a slow evolution but essentially the same truck.

-Jeff

 

[xCSx]

i'd rather buy a D1 than a D3 or D4 at this point

 

[Mack73]

i'd rather buy a D1 than a D3 or D4 at this point

Don't knock it till you try it