Thread: Why have Land Rover only made minor changes to the DEFENDER over the years??

Some would say they got it right from the start. However, consider how much money they have saved not having to tool up for a new model every few years.

It's hard to improve on perfection but they do go a lot better now than they used to. I drove 600 ks in mine today and could have jumped out and played a game of tennis. So they are more comfortable as well.

Right the first time

Isnt that the whole point of the defender? What would there to be to improve on for a vehicle primarily designed for offroad work?

Obviously you didnt buy a defender for the comfort or electronic gizmos. You bought it for its offroad ability. I guess those who want something more advanced would buy a disco or range rover.

What kind of improvements would you like?

The Defender has as a major asset and selling point that it does not change very rapidly. This means that many parts can be exchanged between models whose production dates are decades apart.

It also means that it can be produced in quite small numbers without tooling costs killing the whole project. And allows CKD production easily in small numbers and a number of locations.

Unlike virtually every other car that has been made in the last thirty years, the Defender is hand assembled, bolted together rather like a meccano set. Substantial or rapid changes would mean that assembly methods would have to change, in a number of assembly locations.

This construction method means that there are only a few major press tools, for example, although the number of these has increased in recent decades.

John

Originally Posted by Felix

Isnt that the whole point of the defender? What would there to be to improve on for a vehicle primarily designed for offroad work?

Obviously you didnt buy a defender for the comfort or electronic gizmos. You bought it for its offroad ability. I guess those who want something more advanced would buy a disco or range rover.

What kind of improvements would you like?

I don't think anything needs to be changed, I love the car as it is.I suppose the things I am aiming at are the usual things you see people doing themselves like sound insulation throughout the cabin and roof. Automatic transmission option, more legroom without seat extensions. Gullwing windows l, a bigger engine without a donor transplant and lastly an option of a rollcage. I except I have to do those things myself through aftermarket angles but it's much better IMO if they are done from factory as I don't like a new car being taking apart.

Because smaller changes are cheaper.

The biggest change is happening in 2015................