Thread: 2016 'Defender'

Originally Posted by Didge

If they can fit airbags in a g wagen why not a defender?

Scuttlebut suggests the firewall/bulkhead deforms when the bags go off !

Don't know if it's true, but sounds believable.

Many vehicles are an automatic write off if the bags go bang. Pat

Chances are that if an airbag has gone off, there has been a fair amount of deformation going on.

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

Why are we writing Land Rover off before there's ANY information confirmed about it?
The Defender, as romantic as it may be, is a relic.
I get why people like them. Hell, I like them. I'm going to buy one.
But it's not economically viable to produce them, and impossible to make them comply with todays rules and regulations. We're no doubt in a bit of a nanny state future with pedestrian airbags and stuff like that but these are the lines on the ground and Land Rover has to play within them like everyone else.
Land Rover has been at the forefront of automotive offroad technology basically since they first started. There's a reason Land Rover is keeping exceptionally quiet about it. Hell, the DC100 was probably a nice little red herring that cost them bugger all and had everyone laughing and nashing their teeth and diverted attention away from what Land Rover was actually doing.
It's not going to be that slab sided hose out hero that it currently is (although if you hose out a puma interior you're pretty game imho), but from what I've heard (and no, I'm NOT going to elaborate on that at all because I haven't heard anything ) it will be a worthy successor.
Good things come to those who wait...

AMEN.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

AMEN.

I don't think anyone's writing them off. But a bit of scepticism is healthy I reckon, given their capitulation to Toyota in the 'industrial vehicle' sector over 20 years, the massive focus on the luxury market instead, and an unconvincing defender replacement schedule to date.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

I don't think anyone's writing them off. But a bit of scepticism is healthy I reckon, given their capitulation to Toyota in the 'industrial vehicle' sector over 20 years, the massive focus on the luxury market instead, and an unconvincing defender replacement schedule to date.

I understand, even share your anxiety, but I think I might be a tad more optimistic.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

Chances are that if an airbag has gone off, there has been a fair amount of deformation going on.

I hope they continue their engineering strength in the new model with airbags adapted to industrial use.My little story, I hit a buck deer in my 2012 130 and then into a creek and vertical bank at about 70km/h, 2 black eyes, busted lip, the radio and motor were still running..they wouldn't write it off, new chassis, stamped with my chassis number landing next week for a full chassis replacement..whilst waiting for that chassis to come from the UK, I've done 23,000km, loaded at full GVM, following a Dozer all over the bush building fire trails.. As the insurance assessor said to me, there is no other vehicle around that would keep going and be safe and totally operational with such a bent chassis.. Says a lot for strenght in engineering design I think..hope the new one can match it..

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

[...] (although if you hose out a puma interior you're pretty game imho), ..

On what do you base your opinion?

Color me game. Have hosed mine (dual cab puma) out many times. More gung-ho hosing in the rear than the front. But certainly spraying on pedals and splashing/scrubbing with a brush to get mud off. Initial worry was the accelerator pedal sensor(s).

No issue. ymmv

Also drove appropriately steadily/slowly through urban floodwaters that I reckon to be 900mm deep without including bow wave. It had a solid flat smooth concrete base (not floundering over rocks and hollows). Can see on video exactly when both my headlights were completely underwater. Stock wheels, tyres, suspension and no snorkel. There was maybe an inch of water leaked into the cabin while water outside was half way up the stock air intake grille and over the tops of headlights.

The "high tide mark" from silty water is still visible today inside the battery compartment. Yeah I am game. (No, not stupid, I weighed up the variables and watched progress carefully). Wouldn't do it every day - but sure as day is long there is no reason to be paranoid about water around Puma Defenders.

IMHO (Better take this to another thread tho if you wanted to debate further - maybe this one (video included): Deep water - Stock Puma Defender )