Defenders on "Car Sales."

**Andrew86** · 19th June 2016, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

it will have to appeal to the masses. What is appealing now is technology gadgets, seat warmers, iPhone connectivity etc etc. Cant see the icon being reborn.

Why does a Defender have to be devoid of modern technology for it to remain iconic? Sure, there are a lot of gimmicks around today but there are also a lot of genuinely useful technologies that people should absolutely be able to expect in a $60k car. The inclusions of those innovations doesn't have to come at the expense of its historical credentials.

Lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, collision avoidance, queue assist, reversing cameras, terrain response, tyre pressure sensors, hill descent assistance, full mobile phone connectivity - all things I scoffed at until I experienced them. What made these things great wasn't that they were technologically advanced, it was that they were simple, unobtrusive and totally complementary to the driving experience. You barely knew they were there, until they became incredibly useful in some way.

I recently drove a Volvo XC60 for a period of time as a rental and it came standard with a lot of the features above, I thoroughly enjoyed it (I never thought I'd say that about a Volvo). I'd gladly accept any or all of these things in the Defender replacement. Heck, I'd settle for regular old cruise control. It should also have lots of airbags, because that's just a bloody good idea

I love my Defender and I don't think I'll ever part with it, but times have changed for the better and the new car should absolutely embrace that. That isn't a betrayal, it's progress which is key to the Defender's future success.

Tombie · 19th June 2016, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

Like I said before, they won't be a defender but with a chance that there will be one, it will have to appeal to the masses. What is appealing now is technology gadgets, seat warmers, iPhone connectivity etc etc. Cant see the icon being reborn. These are the requirements these days and it is very obvious, the new generation or at least 95% of it is only interested in technology and luxury, not even sure if they can drive a car without all the safety features either

If you have a defender you may as well hold on to it because if there is a new gen there will be no comparison.

Interesting! So a vehicle with all the stuff you mention wouldn't be a Defender....

Emmas factory delivered Defender has:
- Seat Warmers
- Heated front glass
- BT phone connectivity
- Power windows
- Central locking
- Power Steering
- DSC
- ABS
- Traction Control
- Fade out interior lighting

We added Cruise Control.

**1nando** · 19th June 2016, 06:02 PM

I don't understand why people that own defenders are complaining about luxuries. If you wanted luxury why didn't you buy a discovery/200 series etc?
I bought my defender becuase it is basic, i love the relative simplicity and it was unlike anything else on the market.
In fact its this rather simple design with "form following function" that makes the defender unique. Maybe thats why they have become so iconic and as a result are comanding "big" money now that they are no longer being made.

**manic** · 19th June 2016, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

Emmas factory delivered Defender has:
- Seat Warmers
- Heated front glass
- BT phone connectivity
- Power windows
- Central locking
- Power Steering
- DSC
- ABS
- Traction Control
- Fade out interior lighting

Ruined!

sheerluck · 19th June 2016, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

Interesting! So a vehicle with all the stuff you mention wouldn't be a Defender....

Emmas factory delivered Defender has:
- Seat Warmers
- Heated front glass
- BT phone connectivity
- Power windows
- Central locking
- Power Steering
- DSC
- ABS
- Traction Control
- Fade out interior lighting

We added Cruise Control.

I hope you make her wear a hair shirt, and flog herself regularly when she drives it.

Tombie · 19th June 2016, 06:20 PM

Obviously...

I mean who added Power Steering? Totally removes the driving experience

Even has part leather seats.. So we can be one with nature by sitting on Cow Arse!

And it's wonderful... I enjoy driving the Defender as much as driving my D4.

I enjoy the sensory experience of driving it.

I will happily drive either vehicle anywhere.

Tombie · 19th June 2016, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by sheerluck

I hope you make her wear a hair shirt, and flog herself regularly when she drives it.

She's usually wearing Hi-Vis or Gym Gear.

MrLandy · 19th June 2016, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Didge

Well, MrLandy, I don't know about exactly the same proportions. Firstly, I'd like to see the B pillars further back, a higher windscreen, no water leaks whatsoever, some sound insulation, better handbrake and window winder placements, quieter, internal padded roll cage or body that will retain it's shape in the event of a rollover, internal airbags, better rear seat positions, the wings should open with the bonnet so we can access that wasted area, etc, etc. There are heaps of improvements that could be made for little or no extra cost. Merc and Toyota are able to produce cars of a similar shape that have addressed all the above yet JLR state we can't have airbags due to the current shape - why?

All good questions Didge and all should be able to be done with due respect to Defender form. Agreed. ...but it won't be. Hence current Defender price rises.

DiscoMick · 19th June 2016, 07:22 PM

I think the main issue with the new Defender will be getting the body styles right for as wide a range of possibilities as possible.
JLR already has the chassis and suspensions to put under the new Defender. It already has the engines and transmissions. It already has the full range of equipment to put in it.
I can't see why the designers can't package it from a durable basic vehicle to a range of levels. It can have an LR family front and its own identity, linked to past Defenders. You want people to take one look and instantly think "Land Rover."

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

MrLandy · 19th June 2016, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

Steering wheel position along with firewall construction and positioning are the key reasons we can't SRS a Defender.

To re-tool all of that up is a very expensive task.

As is the job of tooling up to move everything around/back etc. a big expense.

Then it would leave you with a smaller cargo area as the C pillar and seats would have to go back, the pillars would need to be tripled in size to have strength, the body would need widening as the tunnel prevents moving the hand brake effectively (if the cubby was smaller and it was there people would complain about the small cubby). And the rear cargo area would shrink as the cabin pushed back. This would then need the wheelbase increased to allow for wheel arch to go further back and the entire chassis would need to be stretched in the middle about 4-6 inches.

Toyota was lucky - their steering column is in the correct placement and had sufficient room to adjust for SRS bags to be fitted. They required very few changes to achieve and had volume sales to back it up.

All excellent points Tombie. An extra 6 inches would be good. Redesigning / Re-tooling. Yup that's what a new model means. No escaping it.

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