New Defender, 2020

[MountainD]

Do some research on batteries, particularly how they’re made and the elements that are essential to production. Do some research on which country(s) are supplying and mining these elements and check out the environmental regulations they employ on their mining industries (we are one of the two...). Then let’s have a discussion on if electric cars are better for the environment. you can try and make the argument that the current technology is recyclable, and I’ll ask how many car batteries in current production are made from recycled components? It may be surprising to some of you.

im not saying it is not a step in the right direction— just that not everything is as clear as many think. And the only way the numbers in overall environmental impact currently are in the favor of EV vehicles is over the lifetime of the vehicle. So if you like to lease and/or get new vehicles every few years, you are part of the problem, not solution, to environmental impact.

 

[jymmiejamz]

Do some research on batteries, particularly how they’re made and the elements that are essential to production. Do some research on which country(s) are supplying and mining these elements and check out the environmental regulations they employ on their mining industries (we are one of the two...). Then let’s have a discussion on if electric cars are better for the environment. you can try and make the argument that the current technology is recyclable, and I’ll ask how many car batteries in current production are made from recycled components? It may be surprising to some of you.

im not saying it is not a step in the right direction— just that not everything is as clear as many think. And the only way the numbers in overall environmental impact currently are in the favor of EV vehicles is over the lifetime of the vehicle. So if you like to lease and/or get new vehicles every few years, you are part of the problem, not solution, to environmental impact.

What do you think about hydrogen fuel cell cars like the Toyota Mirai?

 

[1of40]

Do some research on batteries, particularly how they’re made and the elements that are essential to production. Do some research on which country(s) are supplying and mining these elements and check out the environmental regulations they employ on their mining industries (we are one of the two...). Then let’s have a discussion on if electric cars are better for the environment. you can try and make the argument that the current technology is recyclable, and I’ll ask how many car batteries in current production are made from recycled components? It may be surprising to some of you.

im not saying it is not a step in the right direction— just that not everything is as clear as many think. And the only way the numbers in overall environmental impact currently are in the favor of EV vehicles is over the lifetime of the vehicle. So if you like to lease and/or get new vehicles every few years, you are part of the problem, not solution, to environmental impact.

I agree it’s not ideal but I also feel strongly that this is in a infancy stage. Over time innovation will find ways to reduce the environmental impact.

 

[acheck]

so if you like to lease and/or get new vehicles every few years, you are part of the problem, not solution, to environmental impact.

reminds me an article i read years ago that through analysis, proved that the most environmentally friendly vehicle you could own is..... an old land rover.

this of course when factoring in "dust to dust" lifecycle including the energy it takes to create, length of service life, energy consumed during service life, and then the energy required to recycle.

new car production is a tremendous generator of emissions and consumer of resources.

adam

 

[RBBailey]

Do some research on batteries, particularly how they’re made and the elements that are essential to production. Do some research on which country(s) are supplying and mining these elements and check out the environmental regulations they employ on their mining industries (we are one of the two...). Then let’s have a discussion on if electric cars are better for the environment. you can try and make the argument that the current technology is recyclable, and I’ll ask how many car batteries in current production are made from recycled components? It may be surprising to some of you.

im not saying it is not a step in the right direction— just that not everything is as clear as many think. And the only way the numbers in overall environmental impact currently are in the favor of EV vehicles is over the lifetime of the vehicle. So if you like to lease and/or get new vehicles every few years, you are part of the problem, not solution, to environmental impact.

This is one of the reasons I haven't really jumped into an EV commuter yet. It feels like they are doing a good job at making good vehicles with the current technology, but that there needs to be a big step in solar/battery technology and in the manufacture process before we can say that EVs are an actual replacement for traditional engines.

Your last sentence is important in a lot of ways. Not just for the environment. I teach history (AP European and American history) and almost every time I see any kind of big economic issues affecting people over the past 200+ years, it's because of the problems caused by uncontrolled or unattended debt. I'm sometimes in awe at how many new vehicles are on the road because I know our real economic value is nowhere near high enough to account for it in such broad demographic terms. But that's mostly a different subject.

Future batteries, coming soon: Charge in seconds, last months and power over the air

Energy capture, storage and generation remains a vibrant area of research. Here we examine show of the research breakthrough in future battery tech

www.pocket-lint.com

Could graphene batteries change the face of graphite mining?

As the battery industry booms, more and more focus is given to super-material graphene. But what will this mean for graphite mining?

www.mining-technology.com

Breakthrough in new material to harness solar power

Physicists are pushing the performance of solar cells to levels never before reached. They have made a significant breakthrough in the chemical formula and process to make a new material. The ultra-high efficiency material called a tandem perovskite solar cell is being developed to help solve...

www.sciencedaily.com

I think we are slightly behind on solar, but maybe on the verge of a battery revolution.

 

[rocky]

Well. Looks like some people in some states really want the new Defender more than other new cars: https://www.carscoops.com/2020/02/2021-ford-bronco-is-the-most-anticipated-vehicle-in-america/

 

[rocky]

Sometimes instagram shows up with “fun” adverts. http://instagr.am/p/B8qYaW-JUw9/

 

[RBBailey]

They are going to have one here in Portland at the auto show. Have not heard if it will be a production version though.

 

[rocky]

They are going to have one here in Portland at the auto show. Have not heard if it will be a production version though.

I’ve been told only prototype/pre production are on US soil right now.

 

[RBBailey]

Makes sense. So maybe I should go look, since I'm pretty sure the two that have been in Portland are RHD based on the other prototypes I've seen here. Would be fun just to get a look, but I've heard they may give rides after the show.

 

[Landy_Andy]

As much as I’d like a new LR, I could never justify the cost.... was watching a Jeep Gladiator vid on what options to buy... seems if you get a lower spec than Rubicon but option in the HD tow package you get Rubicon axles without lockers. Throw in some ARB’s with deeper gears, 3.5” lift & bolt on some nice beadlocks with 35 or 37” Treps. Winch & other goodies can come later.... I hate to say it, it’s a much better option for real use in the back country.

 

[FlyersFan76]

I went to the Philly Auto Show on a whim yesterday. Wanted to see the Vette and my business partner wanted to sit in it. Nada.


I got to sit in the Defender. It is nice. Bigger than I thought but still not sure how it compares to my RRS. For all of the talk about it being more comfortable than the real Defender they probably could have done a better job at showcasing it. The steering wheel was low and I was unable to adjust it. That didn't help in getting in and out.

 

[WreckITFrank]

LR PR posted. Namibia.
Just noticed those fellas in clean white polos. Definitely not the usual defender.

 

[Tbaumer]

I don't care what kind of car it is, that's a cool pic. Looks like some dirty fast current - and better door seals!

 

[xplorutah]

It looks like the drivers side window is down? Or the glare might have be photochopped so that you could see how white the polo is. Interesting...

 

[Mdubs]

Lots of info here:

Here Are My Favorite 2020 Land Rover Defender Features After Field Testing In Africa

The 2020 Land Rover Defender has a tough job: It has to live up to the expectations of the snootiest car buyers on Earth while serving as the future-facing halo car for the company that basically invented the luxury 4x4. As such it’s loaded with tech and toys, which are pretty fun to play with.

jalopnik.com

 

[Adam]

Lots of info here:

Here Are My Favorite 2020 Land Rover Defender Features After Field Testing In Africa

The 2020 Land Rover Defender has a tough job: It has to live up to the expectations of the snootiest car buyers on Earth while serving as the future-facing halo car for the company that basically invented the luxury 4x4. As such it’s loaded with tech and toys, which are pretty fun to play with.

jalopnik.com

good article. Looking forward to the driving impression one in march.

 

[RBBailey]

Do other car companies take THIS LONG to launch a new vehicle, and even to let people actually drive it, and even to let people actually talk about driving it? I know at least one guy who is expecting delivery of his 90 as early as April or May, but he can't even test it, or hear about how it drives yet? Is it just me, or is it just odd?

 

[Adam]

Do other car companies take THIS LONG to launch a new vehicle, and even to let people actually drive it, and even to let people actually talk about driving it? I know at least one guy who is expecting delivery of his 90 as early as April or May, but he can't even test it, or hear about how it drives yet? Is it just me, or is it just odd?

I heard at my dealer a few weeks ago that delivery dates are being pushed back & now global supply chains are slowing down a bit... Who knows when we'll ever actually see one

 

[rocky]

I've heard one common concern is that the initial model mix is going to be low spec not high spec. First adopters like to get the top spec with all the trimmings.