Thread: I think I just saw the new defender

Originally Posted by donh54

Of course, they don't want to give away any clues to the motoring paparazzi, so what's with the "Best 4x4 x Far" stickers? Looks to me like a panel-beaten D4, and I sure hope they have a better arse end planned for the final release! That one looks like the North end of a South-bound Tramping Duck!

As a work/bush vehicle, the flared guards seem to me to be a complete waste. Easy to damage, expensive to fix. If you kept the flat sides of the old Deefer, and extended the whole body out to the width of those flares, just think how much extra internal space you would gain! And the Yanks would love the "upsize" as well!

Those flares could perhaps just be added, albeit 3 dimensional, camoflage as well perhaps? Hard to tell under all that wrap.

The whole bonnet is a cover up, the panels stuck onto the side doors have raised the side of the bodywork to meet it and make it less obvious. With all those covers removed you might find larger side windows, and some kind of wing top area and v shaped bonnet.

The roof is a cover up, it most likely slopes up from the windscreen.

The rear door is a similar shape to current door and rear quater panels slope inwards towards the roof. So backend might end up looking ok.

Front end is completly covered over, behind the slits for the headlights you can see some round lights.

Ive never seen a mule from JLR so heavily disguised with fake panels.

Underneath all that crap, there might be a defender that looks quite distinct from the rest of the fleet.

I just hope JLR are monitoring this, & I think they will be.

Whatever it is they can't change it now, it takes about 7 years to design & tool up for a new model !

no matter the amount of cladding it just reeks D3 - D4 to me , but I suspect the roof is stepped like the D1-D2
more retro disco than retro defer IMO , and I've never been partial to any model Discovery. (esp D5 yuck)

The wiper blades are a deal breaker for me

Wouldn't it be funny if it was actually a Jeep being test driven - and they put the sticker on the door "Best 4x4 by far" - as further camo...

Originally Posted by Ranga

The wiper blades are a deal breaker for me

Was thinking the same thing myself.

Whatever it turns out to be I hope they equip with an oil dipstick.

And clear view are already making mirrors....it appears the mirror stick out a bit more the a disco

I think a lot of people are missing the point. This looks like the vehicle everyone hoped for - still square, more like the D3/4 rather than the others in the Land Rover stable, and certainly not like the D5. Love it or hate it, the D4 was an awesome vehicle, and this seems to retain some Defender shape and principles while modernising it like a D4. My D4 has put so many vehicles to shame in offroading situations, while still being comfortable on-road.

The only thing I worry about my D4 is some electric gremlin occurring in the bush. Any new Defender was going to be awesome offroad and have some electrickery, that was a given, it was just the shape/style and price that we didn't know about. Now we can see the shape may just be OK, so the major unknown is the price.....

Cheers
Lucas