Next-Generation Defender

[Antichrist]

I WAS asked my opinion by Land Rover, back in 2001/2002, when I had my 87 Range Rover with mods, and a 2000 DII. There were a couple of us that actually used Rovers offroad and the rest were soccer moms, Silicon Valley execs, etc. They had concepts of the Range Rover Sport and LR3/DIII, as well as Cayennes, Infiniti suvs...

I'm not saying they don't have focus groups and whatnot, what I'm saying is I bet extremely few people in those groups say they want a Defender anywhere near based on the Discovery 3 or 4 or the like.

 

[Viggen]

I'm not saying they don't have focus groups and whatnot, what I'm saying is I bet extremely few people in those groups say they want a Defender anywhere near based on the Discovery 3 or 4 or the like.

In America, you will find very few regular LR buyers who will say that they actually want a Defender. Driving home, I saw numerous D3/ D4's, Freelanders, and RR's. Every single one of them was driven by some guy in a suit, windows completely rolled up and jabbering on his cell phone. Is that a Defenders market/ target buyer? I dont think so. Backcountry travel, farm work, hauling and towing and versatility are what they are built for and honestly, in America, a Ford, Dodge of Chevrolet can do that job much better for, what will be inevitably, less money. There just is no market here for a Defender anymore. The NAS models hit at the right time before cars became so technical and luxurious and appliances. Something like an NAS would never really fly anymore and definitely not at the prices that LR is going to have to sell the new Defender for to make it worthwhile.

As for the design for a ROW Defender, it will probably have IFS and solid rear axle arrangement. I dont see anything really wrong with that. For what a Defender is meant to do, IFS can do it just fine. No one will ever say that a Toyota front end is not strong or capable of withstanding abuse. It will still keep a solid frame for weight baring ability. A ROW Defender does not need to be as comfortable, technical or friendly as a USDM Defender will have to be.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

The NAS models hit at the right time before trucks became so technical and luxurious and appliances.

Fixed that for you.

I agree. Land Rover CANNOT compete with American trucks for the working truck market. It's just not going to happen.

Whever I see utility companies going seriously off-road, nobody is driving a Defender, Hummer, UniMog, etc. They load a tracked vehicle on an equipment float and haul it out there with a heavy truck.

Edit: or they take a helicopter.

 

[AxeAngel]

 

[David Harris]

Love to see that down at the mall . . .

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I was thinking of building a set of those this winter... but the wife would shoot me.

Actually, I'd need to know if it would be allowed on the snowmobile trails. The OFSC pretty much owns ALL the trails in Ontario from November to May

 

[greenrover]

Agrale Marrua

I still like this as the affordable, mil spec, capable truck. Don't know much about them, but would be interested in hearing what people know.

http://www.defesanet.com.br/imagens/defesanet/afv/marrua/marrua_agrale.jpg

http://www.agralemarrua.com.br/agrale/imagens/bi.nsf/0/2EAE58E5393C2EAD0325728900444295/$FILE/Marrua_serie_especial.jpg

Dave

---

04 DII

 

[greenrover]

Or even better ...

I still like this as the affordable, mil spec, capable truck. Don't know much about them, but would be interested in hearing what people know.

http://www.defesanet.com.br/imagens/defesanet/afv/marrua/marrua_agrale.jpg

http://www.agralemarrua.com.br/agrale/imagens/bi.nsf/0/2EAE58E5393C2EAD0325728900444295/$FILE/Marrua_serie_especial.jpg


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This is probably better for our needs...

http://www.agralemarrua.com.br/agra...?ReadForm&SECA=PRODUTOS&LINH=MARRUA&PROD=AM50

 

[Green96D1]

I still like this as the affordable, mil spec, capable truck. Don't know much about them, but would be interested in hearing what people know.

http://www.defesanet.com.br/imagens/defesanet/afv/marrua/marrua_agrale.jpg

http://www.agralemarrua.com.br/agrale/imagens/bi.nsf/0/2EAE58E5393C2EAD0325728900444295/$FILE/Marrua_serie_especial.jpg


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This is probably better for our needs...

http://www.agralemarrua.com.br/agra...?ReadForm&SECA=PRODUTOS&LINH=MARRUA&PROD=AM50

that's pretty cool it's looks like a A g-wagon mixed with a Defender and TLC 70 series!