Running out of time for a 2018 Defender launch..

[Summiitt]

Does anyone believe LR will release a new defender in 2018? They are rapidly running out of time..
It makes me laugh that Landrover are big on the 70 years anniversary, showing all of the old clips of defenders and series vehicles, yet offer no new vehicle option for people who need a basic, commercial and reliable vehicle to earn a quid.. waiting but not holding my breath. Im due for a new heavy duty ute, if LR produce a Hilux or ranger copy Ill be going for a Gwagen tray top or an F350.

[Vern]

Does anyone believe LR will release a new defender in 2018? They are rapidly running out of time..
It makes me laugh that Landrover are big on the 70 years anniversary, showing all of the old clips of defenders and series vehicles, yet offer no new vehicle option for people who need a basic, commercial and reliable vehicle to earn a quid.. waiting but not holding my breath. Im due for a new heavy duty ute, if LR produce a Hilux or ranger copy Ill be going for a Gwagen tray top or an F350.It was due for release in April 2019 from memory.

[Zeros]

The next Land Rover ‘Defender’ is either be the biggest insult to their customers intelligence, or it will be an extraordinary coup.

The 2019 G Wagen looks fantastic, but very expensive and none in Australia yet. Maybe Land Rover have been waiting on this release?

The G Professional ute version only has two seats and is expensive too. The Toyota 70 series dualcab is the only realistic full size work ute available, which is depressing to say the least.

There must be almost no market for heavy duty work vehicles...although in the US, huge super duty F trucks are the most common vehicles on the roads!

What? ...Land Rover wouldn’t use its past practical utilitarian rugged vehicle roots to sell 100% urbancentric luxury vehicles would they? ...Oh yeah, that’s actually all they do now!

[timax]

I have given up.
I have been holding off selling my Td5 Defender for the new one but i think i might jump ship.
The moment has gone for me and i imagine others also.
It had better be an amazing car for LR to win back its fans.

[weeds]

Land Rover will be targeting a new user group....for everybody stuck in the live axle noisy interior, lack of greater comforts than like me best you keep your existing defer....although if a pop top can be fitted I’ll defiantly buy one. I don’t think they will be taking in the beard and saddle river couture brigade.

Heavy duty....I don’t think this will be a focus....plenty of other manufactured utes filling the heavy duty class.....even if there is the odd failure businesses and travelers seem to be getting by without fuss.

[Summiitt]

I have given up.
I have been holding off selling my Td5 Defender for the new one but i think i might jump ship.
The moment has gone for me and i imagine others also.
It had better be an amazing car for LR to win back its fans.


Agreed, It will have to be pretty good to win back and get new commercial customers. Im not too fussed on live axles, but it has to be heavy duty, ie, carry their GVM on and off road constantly. Barring the American Utes, its only the LC single cabs and the G-Proffessional that fit into the category..(Can you still buy a Patrol CC?)
I would have thought there is an enormous market for heavy duty Utes. And no, the Ranger/Hilux/DMax arnt in that category and never will be.. If Ford bring in the super duty F trucks in a base spec, they will clean up big time..I believe the market is open, but I doubt LR will want to engage in it again, but I hope Im wrong..

[Pickles2]

Agreed, It will have to be pretty good to win back and get new commercial customers. Im not too fussed on live axles, but it has to be heavy duty, ie, carry their GVM on and off road constantly. Barring the American Utes, its only the LC single cabs and the G-Proffessional that fit into the category..(Can you still buy a Patrol CC?)
I would have thought there is an enormous market for heavy duty Utes. And no, the Ranger/Hilux/DMax arnt in that category and never will be.. If Ford bring in the super duty F trucks in a base spec, they will clean up big time..I believe the market is open, but I doubt LR will want to engage in it again, but I hope Im wrong..
"Heavy Duty Utes"?
The closest I ever came to such a thing was a1985 Ford Bronco XLT (351 Cleveland),...loved it whilst we owned it.
Whilst we owned the Bronco, we got involved with a few "big ute" owners, & the Ford items (150-350) were certainly quite "big".
Being an HSV owner, we've had an opportunity to see the new HSV manufacturing facility, "Walkinshaw Park", where they are building Colorado Sportscat, Camaro, and,.......the Silverado.
Silverado?...what a monster!!...We've sat in one, had an offer to drive it,....but declined!!...it's massive, although the word is that when ya've driven it for a while, ya get used to it. Beautifully finished inside with all sorts of mod cons. Dealerships have had to install a special H.D. hoist to service them. Very pricey at around $140K I believe, but enquiry has been excellent.
So, in terms of your comment "heavy duty utes", it'll be interesting to see how they go.
Pickles.

[ramblingboy42]

Land Rover never said they were going to launch a new Defender in 2018.

Stop listening to all the pundits.

Land Rover WILL release the information when it is ready to be released.

[cjc_td5]

I have heard from a couple of people in LR now that have seen photos or an actual prototype. Their overriding comments are that it is not a D5 clone, it is the "real deal" and fantastic. Has round headlights and is very functional.

It is very frustrating not knowing when it will be released!

Cheers,

[vnx205]

... .... ...
Has round headlights and is very functional.
.... ..... ..
Cheers,
Round headlights. A great idea.
I remember when I used to be able to buy headlights for my 1959 Toyota Crown at Kmart.
The single filament high beam one was $8 and the double filament high/low beam was $12.
The same headlight probably fitted half the other cars on the road at the time.
Who ever thought it was a good idea to make headlights a funny shape, different shape on different models and at a cost of several hundred dollars each? :)

[Pickles2]

I have heard from a couple of people in LR now that have seen photos or an actual prototype. Their overriding comments are that it is not a D5 clone, it is the "real deal" and fantastic. Has round headlights and is very functional.

It is very frustrating not knowing when it will be released!

Cheers,
I know nothing,......and neither does anybody else, which is why I don't say much in these threads, except in your case, to respond to you, and to agree with the words in your post, "real deal & fantastic", which I'm quite certain it will be.
Pickles.

[JDNSW]

R..........
Who ever thought it was a good idea to make headlights a funny shape, different shape on different models and at a cost of several hundred dollars each? :)

Company accountants.

[veebs]

Would certainly prefer they take their time to get it right.

Today, the only model I love the look of is the full Range Rover. As I’ll be 120 before I can afford a new one of those, I’m banking on the defer ;)

[Classic88]

Cheap, basic 4x4 with LR engineering?

Tata Harrier Price, Launch Date 2018, Interior Images, News, Specs @ ZigWheels (https://www.zigwheels.com/newcars/Tata/harrier)

[veebs]

Cheap, basic 4x4 with LR engineering?

Tata Harrier Price, Launch Date 2018, Interior Images, News, Specs @ ZigWheels (https://www.zigwheels.com/newcars/Tata/harrier)

Basic? Lots of touch screens in there?

Not sure how much LR engineering was involved, the engine is from a Jeep... :-/

[Tins]

the engine is from a Jeep... :-/

Actually a FIAT engine. There are good reports.

[scarry]

Does anyone believe LR will release a new defender in 2018? They are rapidly running out of time..
It makes me laugh that Landrover are big on the 70 years anniversary, showing all of the old clips of defenders and series vehicles, yet offer no new vehicle option for people who need a basic, commercial and reliable vehicle to earn a quid.. waiting but not holding my breath. Im due for a new heavy duty ute, if LR produce a Hilux or ranger copy Ill be going for a Gwagen tray top or an F350.

Have they ever made anything like that?

Somehow i don't think they are suddenly going to start now.

[Summiitt]

Have they ever made anything like that?

Somehow i don't think they are suddenly going to start now.

All of my Defender Utes have been basic and generally very reliable, typically getting a good 10-15 years of service without anything other than routine maintenance and replacement of wear items such as clutches and bushes.. so yes they have done it in the past..

[slug_burner]

All of my Defender Utes have been basic and generally very reliable, typically getting a good 10-15 years of service without anything other than routine maintenance and replacement of wear items such as clutches and bushes.. so yes they have done it in the past..

Spartan like vehicles certainly have less to go wrong with them and that was ok for over half a century. Once the Japanse vehicle manufacturers gave us a radio as part of the car at no cost xtra cost the spartan vehicles days were numbered. People want more in their cars than a three speed on the tree and a bench seat. Even work vehicles have taken on the once modern conveniences like air conditioning and most people like the idea of being able to hold a conversation in their car while travelling at highway speeds, work truck or not. Today cars have to have Bluetooth by choice and abs and stability control by legislation. I don’t expect the new defender the be a light face lift of my 300Tdi Defender. It takes time to design a new vehicle and I suspect LR have been involved in a internal discussion about the top end luxury vehicles versus the utilitarian end of the market, I suspect the luxury end has got all the resources for ever since the Discovery saved LR from failure. Very little effort has gone into the Defender other than a couple of power plant improvements most due to legislation.

You need money coming in to have a successful business, there is more money in luxury than utility. I am expect the next Defender to be in name only. I hope it is a good vehicle for The died in the wool or should that be beard LR fans. I’ll still have to wait for a used one to trickle down to me.

It ha been a while since I have been on here, good to see things have not changed, still waiting for the next Defender and luxury versus utility👍

[scarry]

All of my Defender Utes have been basic and generally very reliable, typically getting a good 10-15 years of service without anything other than routine maintenance and replacement of wear items such as clutches and bushes.. so yes they have done it in the past..

You wouldn't call the last model run of the Defender particularly reliable...

Thats,our own experience,and the experience of many on here.

Sure things can be fixed and modified,but they have had 70yrs to sort things,and still there are some designs that are very poorly engineered.

[JDNSW]

The original Landrover was an out and out utility vehicle - and saved the company, which incidentally had been saved at the end of the 1920s by switching from mass market to luxury (but not high end luxury).

Leyland lost most of the utility market by failing to update the Landrover, instead treating it as a cash cow to prop up their mass market disaster. After the collapse of Leyland, Landrover was left with a shrinking market for the Landrover, and increasing competition in the high end luxury market which was where the Rangerover had moved to - but that was an ageing design as well. The company was saved by the Discovery - but note that this was not aimed at the high end luxury market, but at the lower end of the luxury market. As was the original Rangerover, and the cars that sved the company in 1930.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with this time!

[Zeros]

Intriguing...not that the company needs saving now! ...although most intriguing is that conversely it might need saving down the track if the next Defender is a yuppie pretender. Goodbye cred.

[Red90]

They do not need or want the cred anymore. The people buying Range Rovers and Discoverys could care less. As long as they can fold the seats using their phone, they are content.

[rick130]

They do not need or want the cred anymore. The people buying Range Rovers and Discoverys could care less. As long as they can fold the seats using their phone, they are content.This

JLR are a luxury vehicle manufacturer, commercial/utilitarian vehicles don't fit into their business model.

[Zeros]

This

JLR are a luxury vehicle manufacturer, commercial/utilitarian vehicles don't fit into their business model.

Correct, except that their entire business model is founded on the image of bush capability. If the new Defender isn’t then they are no longer Land Rover. It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

[rick130]

Correct, except that their entire business model is founded on the image of bush capability. If the new Defender isn’t then they are no longer Land Rover. It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.All they need to achieve that is a D5 lifted slightly and sporting a boxy exterior shod with 18" LT construction AT tyres.

That'd do for the vast majority and they'd sell like hot cakes.

A cynic, moi? [emoji848]

[scarry]

All they need to achieve that is a D5 lifted slightly and sporting a boxy exterior shod with 18" LT construction AT tyres.

That'd do for the vast majority and they'd sell like hot cakes.

A cynic, moi? [emoji848]

No way,they aren't interested in that type of thing at all.
There were rumblings about 18's from LR when the D5 came out,but nothing has been done,brake rotor size was the issue they said.
Which is rubbish as other manufacturers seem to have no issues with sorting out the brakes for 18's.

They are targeting the luxury around town market,thats it.
The D5 was purpose built to compete with Volvo,BMW,etc.

Thats obviously where the money is,so good luck to them,they have made a business decision to go that way for the company to survive.

So the new Defender,who knows.....?

[Zeros]

All they need to achieve that is a D5 lifted slightly and sporting a boxy exterior shod with 18" LT construction AT tyres.

That'd do for the vast majority and they'd sell like hot cakes.

A cynic, moi? [emoji848]

If that’s it, I won’t be buying one. ...all we can be is cynical given their 100% Luxo-barge track record of late. ...until it materializes. ...then again if it puts the G Professional in the shade and is under $80k look out!

[SeanMurr123]

Has anyone here sat in a G professional? I like a simple interior but a Series 3 and 80's Suzuki Sierra put it to shame.

I recon the running gear of the professional with the interior of the old G350 for $90-100k is where it should be.

Apparently the Army aren't thrilled with them either. They arent approved to take them to remote places solo for reliability reasons.

[Summiitt]

Has anyone here sat in a G professional? I like a simple interior but a Series 3 and 80's Suzuki Sierra put it to shame.

I recon the running gear of the professional with the interior of the old G350 for $90-100k is where it should be.

Apparently the Army aren't thrilled with them either. They arent approved to take them to remote places solo for reliability reasons.

Ive worked with the G pros in fire fighting, and that was my first thought..My stage one has a better interior!! I looked at one at a dealer when they were up around $120-130K and said to the dealer, `Wheres the rest of the interior`..he had no comeback.
I agree, that size, 4500kg GVM, Auto and diff locks and they will sell..Id buy one if the interior wasn't out of a 1980 ACCO truck

[Zeros]

I like the spartan interior. Nothing superfluous. ...dare I say it, just as a Defender should be. Simplicity is key (and not the faux simplicity of the Velar!). A real Defender is confident in its simplicity

[ramblingboy42]

Everything said here is seen by LR executives. They must laugh like hell. They know exactly where they are marketing their vehicles and I'm sorry but the ****y little Australian market you guys keep crying to fill , thinking it will change LR's fortunes, just ain't going to happen Petunia.

If there is a possible market for a flowover model, in quantities which may suit LR Australia, then it may be offered here.

LR produce a utilitarian version of the D5 now. Whether it becomes available here is only up to LR's marketing team.

A 2 seater panel van version (for want of a name for it)with a panel/bulkhead between the seats and flat cargo area is available in UK.

My neighbour who is a pom has been there the last few weeks has seen and sat in the vehicle.

If he has pics I'll try and get some.

[scarry]

Everything said here is seen by LR executives. They must laugh like hell. They know exactly where they are marketing their vehicles and I'm sorry but the ****y little Australian market you guys keep crying to fill , thinking it will change LR's fortunes, just ain't going to happen Petunia.

If there is a possible market for a flowover model, in quantities which may suit LR Australia, then it may be offered here.

LR produce a utilitarian version of the D5 now. Whether it becomes available here is only up to LR's marketing team.

A 2 seater panel van version (for want of a name for it)with a panel/bulkhead between the seats and flat cargo area is available in UK.

My neighbour who is a pom has been there the last few weeks has seen and sat in the vehicle.

If he has pics I'll try and get some.

Every Discovery model over the years has had a commercial vehicle in its range,but none have ever arrived here.

There just isn't the market in Aus for them.

[Zeros]

Everything said here is seen by LR executives. They must laugh like hell. They know exactly where they are marketing their vehicles and I'm sorry but the ****y little Australian market you guys keep crying to fill , thinking it will change LR's fortunes, just ain't going to happen Petunia.

Hopefully they do read this forum, but I fail to see why they’d bother if they’re not interested in the Australian market as you say.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Anyone else think its strange how the biggest LR site in the world,,
has to deal with LR models left over from other markets?


anyway,, heres the latest RR.
Back to the Future perhaps,,

RANGE ROVER SV COUPE (https://www.landrover.com.au/range-rover-sv-coupe/exterior-gallery.html)

[Zeros]

Anyone else think its strange how the biggest LR site in the world,,
has to deal with LR models left over from other markets?


anyway,, heres the latest RR.
Back to the Future perhaps,,

RANGE ROVER SV COUPE (https://www.landrover.com.au/range-rover-sv-coupe/exterior-gallery.html)

The Australian market for the SV Coupe will be significantly smaller than for the Defender.

This fantastic AULRO site has grown out of enthusiasm for vehicles that are really designed to traverse places like the Australian continent. Increasingly however, new Land Rovers (while capable off-road) are only really being designed and priced for wealthy urban fashion strips. I doubt AULRO will continue to thrive on new models if this trend continues. It will always be an excellent resource for early model Land Rover devotees, but to me the signs are slready there in terms of how few threads there are for new models like D5 and Velar.

Unless the next Defender is a true working class, bush oriented, practical vehicle, Land Rovers days as a manufacturer of vehicles for work and / or real adventurers are numbered. And therefore their relevance to the Australian continent. Despite the push for increased comfort in working vehicles, there is a threshold between price and pragmatism that the Australian market values. That’s why utes up to $60K are so popular. Over $60K is still Luxo-barge territory and not practical for the majority. The Toorak tractor sector might be where the big money is, but without the real work / adventure vehicle the Toorak ‘look of adventure’ will wane.

Any vehicle called a Defender that is only designed for City poseurs and not for defence work for a start will be a laughing stock. The old one got away with it in later years because of its heritage. The new one won’t be able to rely on that at all. And neither will Land Rover.

[donh54]

The Australian market for the SV Coupe will be significantly smaller than for the Defender.

This fantastic AULRO site has grown out of enthusiasm for vehicles that are really designed to traverse places like the Australian continent. Increasingly however, new Land Rovers (while capable off-road) are only really being designed and priced for wealthy urban fashion strips. I doubt AULRO will continue to thrive on new models if this trend continues. It will always be an excellent resource for early model Land Rover devotees, but to me the signs are slready there in terms of how few threads there are for new models like D5 and Velar.

Unless the next Defender is a true working class, bush oriented, practical vehicle, Land Rovers days as a manufacturer of vehicles for work and / or real adventurers are numbered. And therefore their relevance to the Australian continent. Despite the push for increased comfort in working vehicles, there is a threshold between price and pragmatism that the Australian market values. That’s why utes up to $60K are so popular. Over $60K is still Luxo-barge territory and not practical for the majority. The Toorak tractor sector might be where the big money is, but without the real work / adventure vehicle the Toorak ‘look of adventure’ will wane.
.

Heard an LR devotee a while ago (can't recall exactly where) saying that the average span from brand new to " going bush" for D2-3-4 models seems to be the third owner, or around 7 years old.
I tend to agree with him. By that stage, the resale value has dropped to a point where people are more comfortable with risking some bush pinstripes and stone chips.
Perhaps in 6 or 7 years time , there will be an upswing in the thread counts for D5/ Velar Bullbar, rocksliders, dual battery kits, etc!

[Vern]

The Australian market for the SV Coupe will be significantly smaller than for the Defender.

This fantastic AULRO site has grown out of enthusiasm for vehicles that are really designed to traverse places like the Australian continent. Increasingly however, new Land Rovers (while capable off-road) are only really being designed and priced for wealthy urban fashion strips. I doubt AULRO will continue to thrive on new models if this trend continues. It will always be an excellent resource for early model Land Rover devotees, but to me the signs are slready there in terms of how few threads there are for new models like D5 and Velar.

Unless the next Defender is a true working class, bush oriented, practical vehicle, Land Rovers days as a manufacturer of vehicles for work and / or real adventurers are numbered. And therefore their relevance to the Australian continent. Despite the push for increased comfort in working vehicles, there is a threshold between price and pragmatism that the Australian market values. That’s why utes up to $60K are so popular. Over $60K is still Luxo-barge territory and not practical for the majority. The Toorak tractor sector might be where the big money is, but without the real work / adventure vehicle the Toorak ‘look of adventure’ will wane.

Any vehicle called a Defender that is only designed for City poseurs and not for defence work for a start will be a laughing stock. The old one got away with it in later years because of its heritage. The new one won’t be able to rely on that at all. And neither will Land Rover.

At a guess, i would say there are far more threads going these days on the d3,4,5 and L322 and newer than there are on isuzu counties and 300tdi disco and defenders.
Up until only a few years ago, it was the other way around. I guess people are upgrading to newer vehicles.

[cjc_td5]

At a guess, i would say there are far more threads going these days on the d3,4,5 and L322 and newer than there are on isuzu counties and 300tdi disco and defenders.
Up until only a few years ago, it was the other way around. I guess people are upgrading to newer vehicles.Yep I agree. There was an explosion in D3-4 threads 4-5 years ago as a lot of us upgraded from D2s etc. The D4 may not be riveted together like a Defender but it still bush capable and there are plenty on here modifying theirs and getting out there and using them.

There may be a similar push in 3-6 years time as our D4s age, but from my perspective I hope I will be moving over to a bush ready capable modern "defender type" vehicle rather than a curvy D5-6....

[Zeros]

At a guess, i would say there are far more threads going these days on the d3,4,5 and L322 and newer than there are on isuzu counties and 300tdi disco and defenders.
Up until only a few years ago, it was the other way around. I guess people are upgrading to newer vehicles.

Perhaps, although I dont think the Defender posts are slowing down. It would be really interesting to see the stats if that were possible?

[Zeros]

Heard an LR devotee a while ago (can't recall exactly where) saying that the average span from brand new to " going bush" for D2-3-4 models seems to be the third owner, or around 7 years old.
I tend to agree with him. By that stage, the resale value has dropped to a point where people are more comfortable with risking some bush pinstripes and stone chips.
Perhaps in 6 or 7 years time , there will be an upswing in the thread counts for D5/ Velar Bullbar, rocksliders, dual battery kits, etc!

I think that would be different historically for new Defenders. Mine have both gone straight out bush from first purchase, as that’s what they’re designed to do. But I agree, I’d be very unlikely to want to take a newish D5 outbush straightaway. Kudos to those who do!

[rick130]

Anyone else think its strange how the biggest LR site in the world,,
has to deal with LR models left over from other markets?


anyway,, heres the latest RR.
Back to the Future perhaps,,

RANGE ROVER SV COUPE (https://www.landrover.com.au/range-rover-sv-coupe/exterior-gallery.html)A 2 door Range Rover?[emoji848]

What a novel idea! [emoji23]

[Vern]

Perhaps, although I dont think the Defender posts are slowing down. It would be really interesting to see the stats if that were possible?Guessing again here, but i would say puma posts are up, but 200/300 and may be td5 are down.
So what i am saying is everyone is moving closer to the more modern vehicles.

[veebs]

No idea on the validity of this, but it certainly implies not to hold your breath for an ‘18 launch?

JLR Announces Product Road-Map Till 2024; New Land Rover Defender Confirmed For 2020 - NDTV CarAndBike (https://auto.ndtv.com/news/jlr-announces-product-road-map-till-2024-new-land-rover-defender-confirmed-for-2020-1873356)

[Zeros]

Interestingly 2020 for Defender aligns with their stated aim of moving to electric/hybrid vehicles by then. I think a hybrid diesel/elec Defender would be excellent - as long as the electrics are particularly robust and waterproofed!

The notional shape of the Defender in that line drawing doesn’t offer much, but it looks worryingly similar to the rejected earlier prototype. Although a swept back windscreen on a boxy body could work well. It will probably resemble a Disco 4 with round headlights.

2016, 2018, 2020 ...my guess is we’ll start seeing something by the end of 2018, more in 2019 with 2020 models late in 2019. ...But who knows!

...maybe they’re still trying to work out how to plug it into a gum tree and convert eucalyptus oil into fuel! LOL 😳😊

[loanrangie]

Interestingly 2020 for Defender aligns with their stated aim of moving to electric/hybrid vehicles by then. I think a hybrid diesel/elec Defender would be excellent - as long as the electrics are particularly robust and waterproofed!

The notional shape of the Defender in that line drawing doesn’t offer much, but it looks worryingly similar to the rejected earlier prototype. Although a swept back windscreen on a boxy body could work well. It will probably resemble a Disco 4 with round headlights.

2016, 2018, 2020 ...my guess is we’ll start seeing something by the end of 2018, more in 2019 with 2020 models late in 2019. ...But who knows!

...maybe they’re still trying to work out how to plug it into a gum tree and convert eucalyptus oil into fuel! LOL 😳😊



You mean electrics NOT made by lucas [bigrolf].

[Pickles2]

I've no idea at all when it will be released, but I reckon the longer the delay is, the greater "gap" there will be between the "old" Defender & the "new" one,....which will sort of increase the "difference" between the two?....which IMHO will be good for for future values of existing Defenders.
Pickles.

[ramblingboy42]

No idea on the validity of this, but it certainly implies not to hold your breath for an ‘18 launch?

JLR Announces Product Road-Map Till 2024; New Land Rover Defender Confirmed For 2020 - NDTV CarAndBike (https://auto.ndtv.com/news/jlr-announces-product-road-map-till-2024-new-land-rover-defender-confirmed-for-2020-1873356)

Nothing is confirmed about a new Defender for 2020......

the last paragraph mutters something about Defender....

...I hate this kind of journalism....it wastes my time and its mostly bull****.