2016 Defender details

[Gromit68]

Looks like launch will be @Geneva, NYC or Frankfurt in 2015.

New Land Rover Defender to launch in 2016 | Autocar (http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-land-rover-defender-launch-2016)

[PAT303]

I don't know why everyone wants the defender to be like a landcruiser,if you want a landcruiser buy one,I don't,I want a defender. Pat

[spudboy]

With the new Defender being pitched as “premium durability”, it will come with the new Ingenium four-cylinder turbocharged diesel and petrol engines as well as V6 engines, Autocar understands. They will be connected to eight and nine-speed automatic gearboxes as standard, but there is no definitive news on whether there will be the option of a manual transmission.

If they can manage an auto with a V6 they will sell buckets of them.

Still not sold on the looks (if this is anywhere near accurate.....)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[troppojon]

Looks like one of CUBE cars.
UGLY.
Will definitely hang onto the Puma

[JDNSW]

.....
Still not sold on the looks (if this is anywhere near accurate.....)

http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/imagecache/article_image_480/land-rover-defender-ac-002.jpg

"this Autocar image shows how the car could look"

My emphasis.

John

[Pacemaker]

Hopefully it doesnt look like that.

Michael.

[ProjectDirector]

Hopefully it doesnt look like that.



Michael.


It won't, that's the American interpretation

[Summiitt]

Landrover, Show me a picture of your new ute with 600litres of diesel, 200kg of tools, 400kg of other crap and an over weight kelpie..then put it up a firetrail you wouldn't bother walking up and then I will be interested...please don't make me go to the dark side..

[scarry]

Maybe they have been listening....:o

Reducing ownership costs.

Sensible common tyre sizes.

Two big, much talked about issues with the D3/4 range.

Hope they have also looked at quality control,and fuel tank size.

[DrytheRain]

I'm concerned that there's been absolutely no mention of the suspension. Frankly, if it doesn't still have live axles, they might as well not bother. I know there's issues around making live axles comply with crash regs, but if Jeep are committing to the new Wrangler having live axles, I don't see why Land Rover can't.

One would assume that Land Rover have had 60-odd years to learn what works and what doesn't, but I'm not convinced that they won't go chasing the mass-market with this, meaning it will be loaded with too much electronic widgetry. With any luck they'll do what Toyota have done and offer a stripped out trim level with vinyl flooring and manual everything.

I don't want to see Land Rover start to use knock-off Toyota design, but I actually think that building in some parts commonality is a very shrewd move. They're obviously smart enough to realise that Toyota have demolished them over the years in their traditional core markets. If they make the new Defender less temperamental, easy to work on and use plenty of common parts that can be got almost anywhere, they might start to claw back some of that market share. They will need to seriously look at expanding their Australian dealer network outside of the metro areas though.

[Naks]

most importantly, it will be powered by engines made in 42s: BBC News - Inside the high-tech Jaguar Land Rover engine factory (http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29829178)

:eek:

[spudboy]

... but if Jeep are committing to the new Wrangler having live axles, I don't see why Land Rover can't.
...

Your mention of the new Jeep made me recall a UK road test I read last night that was less than complimentary, with comments like this:


Coarse and unresponsive, poorly engineered and executed. A premium SUV? Pull the other one

Do whatever it takes to avoid one. While the Cherokee makes a mediocre car at £30,000, it’s downright poor at £35,000.

There isn’t a car like it that delivers a less refined or competitive powertrain, or a less well mannered driving experience – in return, let’s not forget, for a proper premium SUV price.

If Jeep expects to be taken seriously by buyers who can afford a Land Rover, BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, it simply must do better


So I'm not sure that live axles are the be-all and end-all of how good a vehicle will be.

Full review here, but it's pretty embarrassing: Jeep Cherokee Review (http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/jeep/cherokee/first-drives/jeep-cherokee-limited-20-jtdm-2-170-4x4-uk-first-drive-review)

[clive22]

The Jeep mentioned is hardly an hard working off road carrier/tough track recreational machine is though. They are far easier to modify too for even better off road abilityy.

Live axles are all things being equal stronger, more reliable and work off road better than IRS.

Toyota still have one at the back of the Prado and 200 series to maintain off road ability.

There are so many IRS trucks (front or front & rear) out there it be pity to see Land Rover drop them. Hopefully we will still have a choice.

If you are after better road performance, surely you would look for other vehicles before a defender.

Clive