New Defender, 2020

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
Right. I was pointing this out from day one. But a swing open door doesn’t make it a Defender-like. And I was hoping the bonnet would have some kind of design to it, not just a blob. Not sure what they were even hiding.

Unless there is more camo on this than I can begin to tell, I only see one of the most boring designs in a vehicle in the last decade — especially one that is going to be a premium price, is supposed to fit a lifestyle of overlanding, and comes with heritage.

I bet there is nothing special about it inside either. No modular design like in mini vans. No off road friendly flooring like in Jeeps. No seat configurations that can adapt for usage, like what we see in the Honda Element. No alpine windows. If they allow you to have a roof rack, it will have a carbon tax applied, and they will bring suit against any 3rd party outfits that try to design a better than factory version. You probably have to pay $1500 to get an integrated converter and a few extra USB plugs. No sliding rear windows of any type like in our GL320. No rear cargo portal windows. Only about 20% of it could be considered “boxy” now that they have taken the camo panels off.

I honestly wonder if they are even trying. It’s almost as if they are putting out only because the world is demanding it, and so they reluctantly do... something. As if the whole New Defender program took more effort to make everyone think there was something interesting on the horizon, than it did to design one vehicle in 11 years.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
I think my biggest disappoint from the new photos is the shape of the hood. Even with the camo, it looks like it has a modern style hood that terminates at the vertical intersection of the fender. I was really hoping for a much narrower hood (even though it makes it harder to work on).
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
I wonder if someone will ever make an aftermarket add-on that replicates the hood cover they used on the camo'd version. The apprentice tasked with coming up with that piece of kit should have won the original design nod from JLR corporate. It wasn't "Defender" like, but at least it showed some element of an attempt at design features.

What's that?

You say it was cardboard?

....duoh!...

EDIT: I didn't even look at the post above this till after I posted mine! LOL!
 

dcg

Well-known member
I swear the front end has been photo-shopped. There is something weird going on there that is still hiding the final design. I think the whole photo has been doctored only point out a few of the design queues. While I like some of the things I see... you can't sell it with that front end phoned in like that. When I was younger I would point out any Land Rover I saw... even if the smallest bit of it was showing... I'd go "Land Rover!" My sister would say "how can you tell? That looks like a mailbox". The question is... can you look at the small bits of this truck and clearly identify it as a Land Rover? Come on... just give us a few rivets on the outside!!!

We are all just being strung along...
 

brdhmltn

Well-known member
I like it so far.
The tusk render is a render of a digital model, not a photo. But you can pull a few extra details by focusing on the lighting effects and not the wrap graphics. Seem to be some homage ribs in the rear roof. There is a puma hood bulge. The panel lines for the hood do cut back to the center over the front corners and then come forward at the center. Approach angle might be better than old truck.

I'm worried about the headlights and the brakes are too big. Looks like the second row doors will be so much easier to get through. It's way better than the DC100
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
I agree about the front end. I really, really hope they aren't that stupid to believe that could even be called a "design". I was looking at it and thinking that the camo was almost translucent, so maybe you're right, it's photoshopped. The whole front end really looks like it was just selected out of a bank of possible random vehicle front ends menu.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
Yeah, I agree.

I might be able to pull it up on PS when I get home and analyze the pixels. There is a way to tell for sure.

Look at the line that makes the edge of the bonnet. Also, it's missing the vent on the side, and the headlights have a bit of wrap around that is not showing here. I think we are going to see a stepped bonnet, with some kind of wing, and the corner between the bonnet wing and the A-pillar will have a capped intake housing that is level with the bonnet, but is a step down for the wing.
 
Last edited:

rjl

Member
When you zoom in on the tires in the high res photo, it says the tire size is "275/35 ZR18." Those can't be 18" wheels, can they? If so, that wheel well is really small.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
There have been rumors of two different brake disc sizes based on photo analysis. But I thought that was only seen on the SWB version. They are BFG MT treads, but I don't know if that tire actually exists.

I wonder if anyone will design an aftermarket hub/disc that would allow you to mount 16 inch wheels. Probably a difficult/expensive thing, but would be interesting.
 

def90

Member
If you draw a line along the doors (below the window but above the handle) all the way forward to the hood it looks like there are several inches of camo hiding the true line of the bonnet. Just my opinion but if I squint enough I see a classic-ish looking truck under there.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
Not those. The ones on the Tusk vehicle.
 

Attachments

  • 0791062F-95D9-4ABE-9CB7-1E3A56AAFF0C.png
    0791062F-95D9-4ABE-9CB7-1E3A56AAFF0C.png
    4.2 MB · Views: 209

FlyersFan76

Well-known member
I think my biggest disappoint from the new photos is the shape of the hood. Even with the camo, it looks like it has a modern style hood that terminates at the vertical intersection of the fender. I was really hoping for a much narrower hood (even though it makes it harder to work on).

That was my first impression also. No exposed fenders.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
The more I look at it, the more convinced I am that this is not actually a photograph, but 100% 3D rendering.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
If the front end of the Defender is styled as well as the rear, I may end up liking it. However, the big question I've had after seeing what others have done in the past decade, is whether or not LR will innovate the user experience for daily use on the interior and cargo spaces. Rivian has so much good thinking behind the "adventure spirit" it's going to be hard to beat. I really hope LR integrates even 1/2 of what these guys have thought of.

 

RDavisinVA

Technical Excellence Contributor
It just sucks that Rover is going to build some sort of a una-bodied-suv and call it a Defender.
Then when you are trying to search the marque, instead of getting hits on the stuff that we're interested in, we'll get so much new model spam that you'll never find what you're looking for.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
It just sucks that Rover is going to build some sort of a una-bodied-suv and call it a Defender.
Then when you are trying to search the marque, instead of getting hits on the stuff that we're interested in, we'll get so much new model spam that you'll never find what you're looking for.

Which is exactly what the marketing boys and girls want to happen. They're building awareness and stoking demand.
 
Top