New Defender Concept

[homey]

No big deal, yet...

I'm not worried...yet. Every single concept vehicle I've ever remember seeing had enormous (ridiculously large) wheels to make it look more "modern" and cool. Remember the Chevy Volt concept? That thing now couldn't be more different then the concept (too bad actually, i liked the concept much more in this case). As stated before, it's really a matter of what's underneath that's really gonna make a difference to everyone here. The way to really see this concept is more of a 3-D drawing of what the general exterior will look like, not a visual blueprint for the future of the Defender. I'm more worried they won't bring a diesel over here for the next Defender... Please make it a diesel!!
Also here's LRs chance to build an actual Jeep Wranger competitor. They have the similar history and reliability. Do it right LandRover!

 

[Rocket Ship]

I know that it's a little different in the States but That my view.

It's not different here at all. If there is ONE THING that is consistent about Land Rovers, it's that old Land Rover owners bash on anything new. Doesn't matter if it's a leafer complaining about coils. Or Defender owners hating on D1's. D1 guys complaining about D2's. D2 guy bashing the LR3, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Navman]

It's not different here at all. If there is ONE THING that is consistent about Land Rovers, it's that old Land Rover owners bash on anything new. Doesn't matter if it's a leafer complaining about coils. Or Defender owners hating on D1's. D1 guys complaining about D2's. D2 guy bashing the LR3, etc. etc. etc.

Which is exactly why this isn't their target market. Old Rover owners are always going to disagree with the brand trying to keep up with the rest of the world and not continue to offer a vehicle that has the features of a vehicle offered decades ago.

I'm sure they realize that they will take a lot of heat from diehard Defender owners/lovers but I'm sure they realize they'll sell a ton more if they update it "properly" (yeah, yeah, of course without the stupid tires).

Hey, I hated the LR3 when it came out and swore my LR ownership wouldn't extend beyond the D1. That is until I drove it. I still think there is hope for this vehicle, so I'm hoping for the best.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Gee, this sounds like the discussion that went on in the BMW motorcycle world when the K-bike was introduced and reached a roar when the oil-head boxer was released.

The new Defender was never going to be simply an update and it has long been expected that it would be built on the Disco 3-4 platform and with that erector set ability to reconfigure the Defender would be gone. As Scott said, what will be interesting is what are the mechanicals underneath? If the new Defender has solid axles then we'll all be happy, but if it comes with independent suspension and air bags controlled by terrain response computers, then why bother, just offer a cloth seat, decontented version of the Disco 4 and knock $10K off the list price.

Jim

 

[phxtoad]

Fixed it.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Fixed it.
[/IMG]

Better, but it still looks like some sort of FJ Cruiser bastard child.

 

[JamesDowning]

More than anything, looks like an Isuzu Vehicross... which is a cool vehicle... but not what I'd call a "versatile" vehicle (well maybe it is, but not in the same way a defender is).

 

[waggoner5]

I'll take mine in a crew cab pickup please. Honestly, Rover can't expect this new truck to be the workhorse that the current Defender is. Toyota did the same thing with the FJ. Put a new body on a modified existing chassis and away we go. The hardcore Cruiser fans dissed the FJ from the word go, but the bottom line is sales showed it to be a smart choice for Toyota. Our wishes for a modernized Defender with solid axles and a diesel just won't do the numbers here. Most people don't even know the difference between solid axles and IFS, except that it rides better. It will probably sell very well globally just like the FJ.

 

[66rover99]

Everything else has been said about this truck. Personally I don't like the rake, or much of the rest, buts its growing on me. This is how I'd set it up...

 

[haven]

If this were a new product from, say, Suzuki or Hyundai or Fiat, we'd be eagerly waiting for more details. But because it's a Land Rover (cue the reverent church music) we get all this wailing and moaning. Sigh...

 

[LtFuzz]

If this were a new product from, say, Suzuki or Hyundai or Fiat, we'd be eagerly waiting for more details. But because it's a Land Rover (cue the reverent church music) we get all this wailing and moaning. Sigh...

Indeed. If LR tones down the looks a little and offers it in the US with a sweet little 4 cylinder TD, decent running gear, and under $35k ... We'll all be falling over ourselves to get one

 

[Red90]

No, but I'm working from the idea that the Defender will use the LR3 chassis, which is already highly regarded for it's off-road capabilities

Oh good god.... Have you ever been off road? The LR3 has some fancy electronics that make up for the really bad design for off road. The electronics help it through some easy to moderate terrain and that is about it. And, yes, I have personally spent many hours pulling LR3, LR4 and new RR out of crap with my mostly stock Defender.

The bigger worry for this new "Defender" is what are the mechanics. It cannot have independent suspension and "rely" on air suspension and electronics to be "OK" off road. It needs to be a low cost, basic, simple and easy to field repair truck. Lockers, live axles and long travel is cheap, simple and works. If they chuck all of the complexity and expense of the other models on this truck to give it the appearance of off road capability, they have completely missed the point of the model.

 

[Wander]

Indeed. If LR tones down the looks a little and offers it in the US with a sweet little 4 cylinder TD, decent running gear, and under $35k ... We'll all be falling over ourselves to get one

One thing I think we can be sure about is that it will be well above $35K and probably over $50k which makes this argument moot for most of us.

 

[Rover De Land]

It cannot have independent suspension and "rely" on air suspension and electronics to be "OK" off road.

Yes it can, and ever heard of coil springs conversion? Oh and all engines these days have electronics that if fail leave you stranded. A bad air coil wont leave you stranded you can still drive home.

 

[Red90]

Yes it can, and ever heard of coil springs conversion? Oh and all engines these days have electronics that if fail leave you stranded. A bad air coil wont leave you stranded you can still drive home.

Yes, but coil springs, no electronics and independent suspension makes it useless off road.