Guys I realize that you are sitting at home and that anxiety is high, but let's all get along.
New Defender News
- Thread starter blackangie
- Start date
JeepColorado
Well-known member
A snap shot of interest in vehicles based on Google search data. It's interesting where the interest lies.
DieselRanger
Well-known member
Can't wait to read Scott's impressions as well as the other off-road focused journalists' reviews....
Car and Driver, Automobile, etc. will comment about its road manners ad nauseam and they'll all say the same thing, while finding slightly different nits to pick on design.
soflorovers
Well-known member
Interesting. Not sure this is entirely accurate when compared to sales data. My reasoning is as follows: Yes, there are way more Jeeps sold in Florida than Land Rovers. However, LR's #2 and #5 (Depending on the month - LR North Dade and LR South Dade) are located in Miami, FL. I'd argue that "interest" doesn't equate to maximum sales potential. Curious to see what the search v. sales number comparison looks like.
A snap shot of interest in vehicles based on Google search data. It's interesting where the interest lies.
gatorgrizz27
Well-known member
Just saw Scott’s test posted. Pretty much my same thoughts coming from classic Land Rovers to modern ones. I don’t hate technology, and independent air suspension has a ton of benefits.
His issues with it are the same as mine, 19” wheels and front bumper fitment (plus no diesel). If the Lucky 8 18” steel wheels fit, that problem is scratched off the list, and I’m hoping ARB sees enough $ in this thing to develop a bull bar for it. I don’t have a problem taking an angle grinder to a vehicle, and most people will take it to a shop to have a bumper fitted, so the cutting part of it shouldn’t be a huge deal.
I’m a Land Rover guy through and through (owned three D1’s, a D2, currently own a RRC and LR3, wife drives a RRSC, dad drives an LR4), but I cannot stand how they go to such great lengths for off road ability then completely castrate it with something like 19” wheels, or the rear lockers only being available on top spec Lux models.
His issues with it are the same as mine, 19” wheels and front bumper fitment (plus no diesel). If the Lucky 8 18” steel wheels fit, that problem is scratched off the list, and I’m hoping ARB sees enough $ in this thing to develop a bull bar for it. I don’t have a problem taking an angle grinder to a vehicle, and most people will take it to a shop to have a bumper fitted, so the cutting part of it shouldn’t be a huge deal.
I’m a Land Rover guy through and through (owned three D1’s, a D2, currently own a RRC and LR3, wife drives a RRSC, dad drives an LR4), but I cannot stand how they go to such great lengths for off road ability then completely castrate it with something like 19” wheels, or the rear lockers only being available on top spec Lux models.
Blaise
Well-known member
The Defender comes with 18s stock... not 19s (19s are stock with the P400). And you can get a Locker in the First edition or spec one separately. So don't worry... you can get 18s and a locker in whatever combo you prefer.
I just realized I can ignore RED90 by hitting 'ignore' under his screen name. It's much more tolerable (and tolerant) now. I suggest you do the same.
I just realized I can ignore RED90 by hitting 'ignore' under his screen name. It's much more tolerable (and tolerant) now. I suggest you do the same.
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JeepColorado
Well-known member
Paddler Ed
Adventurer
JackW
Explorer
I've spent the evening reading about ten different reports from journalists on the African test drive - they all sound pretty encouraging with the exception of some minor pre-production glitches that were still being fine tuned on the prototype vehicles used for this trip.
Are there things that I wish were done a little differently - yes - especially the elimination of the terrain selection dial in favor of doing it all with the touch screen - but overall I'm very pleased with what I've read.
I got the chance to sit in one of the prototypes at a dealer in Atlanta last week and do a quick look around - I was on my way to an appointment so I didn't have much time for much more than a quick survey.
I was generally pleased with what I saw and can't wait to see one in Fuji white. My initial impression was that the Defender is slightly smaller looking than a D5 but a little taller. Visibility from the drivers seat appears to be very good and it feels slightly narrower than the D5.
I really believe that the aftermarket will be able to transform the new Defender into something that we will be proud to use to explore the back country with and very comfortable to drive to where we leave the pavement.
It looks tauter and more aggressive than the D5 and should turn heads on the road. I'm really looking forward to driving one. I really want to hear what the P300 is like to drive - it may be the sleeper of the bunch with 18" wheels and lower gearing in the axles.
I'll really miss the low end torque of the TDV6 diesel - but I was encouraged to read that Land Rover once again has done a great job of selecting gear ratios that just work - one of my favorite features of the many Land Rovers I've owned.
In my mind the ideal use for the new Defender is to explore the many Backcountry Discovery Routes that have been developed over the last few years - go to www.ridebdr.com to learn more about them.
I've done portions of the new NEBDR and the MABDR and I look forward to doing more of them.
Are there things that I wish were done a little differently - yes - especially the elimination of the terrain selection dial in favor of doing it all with the touch screen - but overall I'm very pleased with what I've read.
I got the chance to sit in one of the prototypes at a dealer in Atlanta last week and do a quick look around - I was on my way to an appointment so I didn't have much time for much more than a quick survey.
I was generally pleased with what I saw and can't wait to see one in Fuji white. My initial impression was that the Defender is slightly smaller looking than a D5 but a little taller. Visibility from the drivers seat appears to be very good and it feels slightly narrower than the D5.
I really believe that the aftermarket will be able to transform the new Defender into something that we will be proud to use to explore the back country with and very comfortable to drive to where we leave the pavement.
It looks tauter and more aggressive than the D5 and should turn heads on the road. I'm really looking forward to driving one. I really want to hear what the P300 is like to drive - it may be the sleeper of the bunch with 18" wheels and lower gearing in the axles.
I'll really miss the low end torque of the TDV6 diesel - but I was encouraged to read that Land Rover once again has done a great job of selecting gear ratios that just work - one of my favorite features of the many Land Rovers I've owned.
In my mind the ideal use for the new Defender is to explore the many Backcountry Discovery Routes that have been developed over the last few years - go to www.ridebdr.com to learn more about them.
I've done portions of the new NEBDR and the MABDR and I look forward to doing more of them.
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naks
Well-known member
this is probably the most balanced review that I've read (so far): https://jalopnik.com/2020-land-rover-defender-what-we-learned-over-420-mile-1842433433
"Verdict
...
As for the 2020 Land Rover Defender, yes, it’s a genuinely impressive 4x4. It’s a practical, comfortable vehicle that can also traverse some of the roughest terrain I’ve ever encountered. That’s pretty much what Land Rover wants to be, but it’s also antithetical to what makes a classic Defender so much fun.
An old Land Rover makes short trips to the store feel adventurous because there’s noise, smells, lots of wind, and focus required to keep the thing from wandering off into the wrong lane. The jouncing and rattles make you feel like you’re on the Indiana Jones ride at Disney. There are fewer gauges than a lawn tractor has.
That vehicle’s soul is a byproduct of its primitive nature, and that simply cannot be replicated while also optimizing noise, vibration, and harshness for road comfort. In other words, the new Defender doesn’t suck enough to offer the novelty of archaic technology.
All I’m trying to say is: If you want “an old Defender but with better safety features,” the closest new thing is still going to be a Jeep Wrangler. But if you want a great mix of off-road capability, modern tech features, and comfort that gives you the confidence to set off on an indefinite overland expedition at the drop of a pith helmet, the 2020 Defender’s pretty cool."
"Verdict
...
As for the 2020 Land Rover Defender, yes, it’s a genuinely impressive 4x4. It’s a practical, comfortable vehicle that can also traverse some of the roughest terrain I’ve ever encountered. That’s pretty much what Land Rover wants to be, but it’s also antithetical to what makes a classic Defender so much fun.
An old Land Rover makes short trips to the store feel adventurous because there’s noise, smells, lots of wind, and focus required to keep the thing from wandering off into the wrong lane. The jouncing and rattles make you feel like you’re on the Indiana Jones ride at Disney. There are fewer gauges than a lawn tractor has.
That vehicle’s soul is a byproduct of its primitive nature, and that simply cannot be replicated while also optimizing noise, vibration, and harshness for road comfort. In other words, the new Defender doesn’t suck enough to offer the novelty of archaic technology.
All I’m trying to say is: If you want “an old Defender but with better safety features,” the closest new thing is still going to be a Jeep Wrangler. But if you want a great mix of off-road capability, modern tech features, and comfort that gives you the confidence to set off on an indefinite overland expedition at the drop of a pith helmet, the 2020 Defender’s pretty cool."