Spy Shot Of Defender? Dec. 1

mgreenspan

Founding Member
Not sure. I'm not convinced the mockup is operational. If the finished product is nice enough it could be pretty fun.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
There's an interesting flare up on the New Defender News thread over at DSource.

I think he's legit, but I have a hard time knowing what to think when someone connected with the company is saying the old Defender owners will like/want the new Defender too.
 

Red90

Well-known member
There's an interesting flare up on the New Defender News thread over at DSource.

I think he's legit, but I have a hard time knowing what to think when someone connected with the company is saying the old Defender owners will like/want the new Defender too.

Well of course he will like it.... These are the same people that think a Disco 3/4/5 is a good off road vehicle....
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
There's an interesting flare up on the New Defender News thread over at DSource.

I think he's legit, but I have a hard time knowing what to think when someone connected with the company is saying the old Defender owners will like/want the new Defender too.

Maybe the guys who like the idea of "fire and ice" and who get off on the rarity and exclusivity aspect of Defender ownership in the US. I can't see myself liking anything they make anymore. The lines suck. The headlights suck. The rear ends are terrible. The only one that looks OK anymore is the newer Range Rover Sport and that's because it looks more like the older 322 than the new Ramge Rover.

They are up against the Wrangler pickup. That's probably going to debut later this year. We have seen a legitimate mule testing. The hack job Range Rover replacement Defender short wheel base doesn't make me think they're ready for the negative reaction they got from the DC100. Which to me screams what they went with is definitely garbage.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Historically they have not released any info to dealers until the last minute. First to see a new product under the pain of death of a word gets out is the dealerships top dog.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
Yep. I agree. I have hope, but I can't get past their recent history.

Honestly, I like the LR3/4, and in some way, I do like the new Discovery, but ...as a replacement for something they've done in the past? As a gap between a farm/work/military truck, and a family SUV? Uuuuuuu.... no.

I can't figure out why they are so robotically stuck on this bubble design. It's like a bad AI program is in charge of spitting out the ideas, and the humans are only allowed to do the finishing touches. And then I have the dealer pointing at the Discovery in the showroom and happily blaming the EPA for the rotten egg shape; as if I'm supposed to be happy about how awesome it is in spite of what it is. In the end, I found myself in the Land Rover dealership thinking about how Jeep and Toyota are still designing cars in the right way...

Anyway, you guys get it, rant off.
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
They should have dumped their R&D money into hybrid diesel instead of see thru bonnets and 20" rims. McGovern is obsessed with the fancy pants special editions and has been allowed to stay at the top of design due to the single he hit with the Freelander and the double he got with the Evoque. Though I think the success of those had more to do with timing than their actual design. They have been behind the adventure vehicle power curve for a while now. Their new Defender is going to be pathetic compared to what exists for those buyers.

EPA drives the design my ass. What the heck is a Jeep Wrangler? Some anomaly only allowed because it's a US manufacturer? They, JLR, are choads.
 

FlyersFan76

Well-known member
Yep. I agree. I have hope, but I can't get past their recent history.

Honestly, I like the LR3/4, and in some way, I do like the new Discovery, but ...as a replacement for something they've done in the past? As a gap between a farm/work/military truck, and a family SUV? Uuuuuuu.... no.

I can't figure out why they are so robotically stuck on this bubble design. It's like a bad AI program is in charge of spitting out the ideas, and the humans are only allowed to do the finishing touches. And then I have the dealer pointing at the Discovery in the showroom and happily blaming the EPA for the rotten egg shape; as if I'm supposed to be happy about how awesome it is in spite of what it is. In the end, I found myself in the Land Rover dealership thinking about how Jeep and Toyota are still designing cars in the right way...

Anyway, you guys get it, rant off.


Oh yeah I am not blaming the EPA for design issues not even close to the amount of blame that I put on them for crappy gas mileage in the name of using corn to burn cleaner fuel. Are we really being more clean when our gas mileage is much less?





I am in the the industry and the stuff that I see is mind boggling. And it seems that CARB (california) sets the tone for the rest of the country no matter how idiotic it might seem to the rest of the country.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
The new Discovery is a sales failure versus previous generations.
I just can?t see how Mr Fancy pants McGovern can honor history and design a Defender that fits the Explorer/Cowboy/tough truck image and functionality we love.
He?s past his sell by date in my book.
 

rlynch356

Well-known member
Do you have sales #?s for the D5.. i know they were selling the last of the LR4?s at a markup b/c people wanted them a lot.

I keep hoping for a good product from LR in the defender, but secretly know i am going to buy another Land cruiser or if the Jeep pickup is all its cracked up to be with the diesel then maybe that.
With McGovern in charge I?m sure it will look like the rest of them and have a posh interior, air suspension, auto terrain stuff, the lot of it for the US.
I?m actually fine then Full Indy suspension it would really give us some interesting options to play with similar to the LR3 - but the aftermarket will actually build for it.

That said....

I have been really impressed with the JL, it has come a long way, in the right way. (My neighbor sells jeeps so i can request he bring one home for the night and try them out). The diesel and the pickup will be out soon (sept/oct) the biggest detractor for the pickup is the load capacity is not on par with a 130, instead it matches the Tacoma and beats it by a little. towing capacity is useable. The jury is out on the VMI diesel motor though.. hopefully they have resolved the initial issues with them in the other jeeps so the JL will get a reliable one.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
I'm hoping the JL pickup paves the way for a longer cargo area hardtop ala the Africa concept. That thing was perfect. Offroad prowress, good interior space, modern build but classic looking.

I've stopped caring about the Defender replacement. With my family moving to the UK now I'm going to be able to get a galvanized chassis series with a 300tdi drivetrain and call it a day. LR won't make anything that can compare to that feeling you get driving in a series or Defender.
 

craigd

Active member
The only Defender Mcgovern is going to design will be the Liberace edition.

In the interview in Alloy &Grit mag Mcgovern specifically said that the people that currently own Defenders are not their target. It does not make sense to sell to people that keep 30 to 40 yr old vehicles running. They want to sell to people that buy a new vehicle every 3 to 4 years.
 

RBBailey

NAS-ROW Addict
Callsign: KF7KFZ
So I got frustrated with the idea of how simple it would be to take what we have seen, and make it more distinctive, unique, and more in line with the heritage of the Defender. Still should really just be the next Discovery, but whatever.

Sorry, Land Rover, but it isn't a Discovery or a Defender if it doesn't have the alpine windows and sloped roof.


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rlynch356

Well-known member
Still fully independent suspension... looks like it?s on air.

Was holding out hope for IFS/solid rear.. but alias no...

Nice car.

Looks like one more Toyota in my future.
 
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