All discussions relating to the Defenders end of production

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

True, Mahindra has a new model out soon that looks to be an improvement on the old one and compliant too. Why oh why could Land Rover not done the same with the Defender? :(

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Because their priorities have changed and they're now entirely focused on the urban / luxury market. They used the excuse of emissions and safety as their way out. They never intended to seriously redevelop Defender. They've spared no expense on all other models and they would have done the same for Defender by now if they were serious.

It's why they came out with an fj cruiser type nostalgia design for the urban funkster market. That got rejected. Now they have no idea what to do. None of their designers, managers or marketing boffins want to design a work truck because it's no longer their market priority. Which is death to the Land Rover brand in the long run IMO. It's been obvious for years. Look at their priorities.

You only have to walk into a JLR showroom now and it's very stark. Without any Defenders on the floor and with the attitude of sales staff it's clear. Land Rover is a luxury brand only now. That's why they have no idea how to re-design a heavy duty pragmatic working vehicle like Defender. Which is why there is no confirmed new design, why the arbitrary date keeps getting pushed back ...and why Defender is finished.

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

True, Mahindra has a new model out soon that looks to be an improvement on the old one and compliant too. Why oh why could Land Rover not done the same with the Defender? :(

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Because:-

The the design is tied to manufacturing techniques that were based on a large, relatively cheap pool of skilled labour and a shortage of machinery (so minimum machinery required). And for production in small numbers. Redesigning it for manufacture using modern methods and large scale production would require a complete redesign. Making it compliant would almost certainly be possible, but would also mean a full redesign. If you are going to put this effort in, why not start with a clean sheet.

The Mahindra is a 1970s or 1980s design - the Defender is a 1940s design, as far as manufacturing technique goes. (And the design of any manufactured product is controlled to a very large extent by the manufacturing facilities available - the Mahindra was designed for technology available in the 70s and 80s, the Defender was designed for facilities available in a war devastated Britain in 1947)


John

Yes that's certainly what it needs, a full redesign. However not from a clean sheet. Why not start with a clean sheet? ...because a clean sheet is blank, devoid of what makes Series/ Defender Land Rover so iconic.

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

Yes that's certainly what it needs, a full redesign. However not from a clean sheet. Why not start with a clean sheet? ...because a clean sheet is blank, devoid of what makes Series/ Defender Land Rover so iconic.

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So if you don't start with a clean sheet, which particular components do you feel must be retained in their current form to maintain the iconic status?

Almost everything,or the Defender enthusiasts won't be happy;)

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Originally Posted by jon3950

So if you don't start with a clean sheet, which particular components do you feel must be retained in their current form to maintain the iconic status?

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As I said above...Dimensions, shape, form, aluminium, driving position, 4 coils, 4 discs, clearance, live axles, flat floors, big chassis, sep transfer case, etc

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

As I said above...Dimensions, shape, form, aluminium, driving position, 4 coils, 4 discs, clearance, live axles, flat floors, big chassis, sep transfer case, etc

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I agree it is not so hard, Mahindra almost did it apart a bit funny looking. A new Defender needs to have the clearance be as strong simple etc ( Jeep can do it and stay legal). No reason (again look at Jeep Wrangler) Land Rover cant make a decent compliant Defender just like the one we know and love if Jeep can why cant Land Rover?
Chris

Why can't they? Because they don't want to.

I think it could be better if it bore no resemblance to previous Land Rovers at all. What if it was entirely electric? What if it had a motor in each hub and no live axil at all? What if it had Torsion bar Suspension? What if it had no Ladder Chassis but a series of box frames which encapsulated the Operator and passenger spaces, from which everything was supported, including a cargo tray. It could outperform everything else on the market. It could be as Spartan or as luxuries as you like. IT COULD BE BLOODY AMAZING.

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

As I said above...Dimensions, shape, form, aluminium, driving position, 4 coils, 4 discs, clearance, live axles, flat floors, big chassis, sep transfer case, etc

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Dimensions the same?

A defender is the Anti-Tardis. Huge outside and small inside... [emoji56]

At least make it 6" wider.