New Defender an immediate success

[shack]

I own 2 defenders, I love them.

They do many things well, if not perfectly.

They are the leading cause of spine cancer in the world, they cause uncontrolled interest anywhere they are parked.

They look great straight, and fantastic bashed up

They are the greatest conversation starter known to exist in the motoring world.
The oil leaks from them have singlehandedly stopped most of Africa blowing away as dust storms.

They are surprisingly capable, even as a stock vehicle. Their predecessors have gone down in history with the willys Jeep as a truly unique take on motoring at the time.


But none of these things comes even remotely close to their greatest claim to fame:

They are and have always been the MOST DIVISIVE vehicle ever invented.

This is what concerned me,- that land Rover would not be able to re-create the angst.

How wrong can a person be.

Without even being released the battle lines have been drawn.

You either love it, or can't understand why Land Rover would sell their souls, and release this piece of plastic junk, people are thrilled and excited, or disillusioned and shopping for bicycles and horses.

There is NO middle ground, the defender IS the anchovy of the motoring industry.

Why do we need SRS? Can you hose it out?
Any live axle option? Why has it got a vanity mirror? Can any models lay the windscreen flat?
Anything bigger than 16" rims can't go off-road.
All reasonable points to some, but illogical to others.

If you like it and can afford it, great, buy one.

If not, I guess you could ignore its release, or buy something else....?

But no, this kind of passive behavior cannot be used with the old Defender , or as it turns out the new one.

Hence I claim it to be an INSTANT success, a worthy replacement to the original, irrespective of whether it's any good or not.

Land Rover have taken their time, and have re kindled the glee and disgust associated with Defender's....perfectly, maybe even better than before.

Love it or hate it, it is here...

And it's an immediate success.

BRAVO DEFENDER!

[SBD4]

Well said!

[harryharrison]

I'd be really interested to know if there's even a single characteristic that everyone agrees that it must have.

Everyone has a different and unique relationship with their car, even (and probably especially) Defender owners. Many want to experience that same love again.

In some people's eyes this vehicle will be the young inexperienced offspring, in other minds it will be the heir to the throne. In some minds it will be nothing more than a tribute.

Whatever it is, it will be different, and I believe that's a good thing, not because the old one was bad, but because change can be fun, and exciting.

[one_iota]

I'd be really interested to know if there's even a single characteristic that everyone agrees that it must have.

Everyone has a different and unique relationship with their car, even (and probably especially) Defender owners. Many want to experience that same love again.

In some people's eyes this vehicle will be the young inexperienced offspring, in other minds it will be the heir to the throne. In some minds it will be nothing more than a tribute.

Whatever it is, it will be different, and I believe that's a good thing, not because the old one was bad, but because change can be fun, and exciting.

For a start it should be a larger version of Suzuki's latest Jimni which is a smaller version of Land Rover's last Defender.[tonguewink]

[shack]

For a start it should be a larger version of Suzuki's latest Jimni which is a smaller version of Land Rover's last Defender.[tonguewink]This is EXACTLY the kind of logic we need to approach the situation with.

[one_iota]

This is EXACTLY the kind of logic we need to approach the situation with.

Those of us who have been here long enough have come to realise that the best Defender as advised by the commentariat is the version they own that is just prior to the version that you bought!

[DiscoMick]

Yes, but I still don't know if I can get 12 bags of goat poo in the back of a 110, as I can in mine. When will this vital question be answered?

[shack]

Yes, but I still don't know if I can get 12 bags of goat poo in the back of a 110, as I can in mine. When will this vital question be answered?Of course you can, but you will need to wait for the goat poo compression accessory,

I have a source in the industry, someone apparently tried the sheep poo compression accessory instead. Of course I don't need to explain to you how that went...

And it was a left hand drive accessory, but he was in a rhd 110...typical rookie mistake, just a bad joke from start to finish.

[one_iota]

Yes, but I still don't know if I can get 12 bags of goat poo in the back of a 110, as I can in mine. When will this vital question be answered?

This where the French got it right and the English lost it...I'm not talking the Battle of Agincourt here.

I'm talking about the 2cv Citroen and the Renault. You could put the hog in the back and off to market you could go and then to church in your Sunday best.

[Stevedb333]

If shutting the door takes a couple of goes, I could be won over

[roverrescue]

Perhaps most importantly
Will the new model have integrated “pant belt loop (PBL) remover”
Or will that be an expensive aftermarket accessory.
Surely LR would not steep so low as to not include such necessary functionality?

S

[shack]

Perhaps most importantly
Will the new model have integrated “pant belt loop (PBL) remover”
Or will that be an expensive aftermarket accessory.
Surely LR would not steep so low as to not include such necessary functionality?

SI was just considering that myself,

I have huge concerns that the PBL-BBO
(Pant belt loop-beer bottle opener) will either be modified, or removed altogether.

As if life is not hard enough already.

I don't even NEED the belt loops on my pants anymore, mainly due to land rovers forward thinking engineers creating the PBL-BBO, the BBO helps you fill out your pants like all decent gentlemen should, then the PBL removes excess weight from your actual pants by tearing the loops off, which you now need to do because of the BBO.

Now THAT'S synchronicity

[speleomike]

Hi


Yes, but I still don't know if I can get 12 bags of goat poo in the back of a 110, as I can in mine. When will this vital question be answered?

I know Jill and I can get 6 hay bales in the back of our D4. We could have fitted a bit more if we had chopped a couple up. Nothing beats fitting rectangles in a car better than a rectangular shared car. That's our criterion.

Mike

[shack]

Realistically there is nothing on the planet that should be designed with anything other than a set square.

It's the only thing that sets us apart from nature

[DiscoMick]

I'd also like to know if my thongs will still slide in under the driver's seat. [smilebigeye]
Also, do the rear windows still wind down by themselves?

[ezyrama]

For a start it should be a larger version of Suzuki's latest Jimni which is a smaller version of Land Rover's last Defender.[tonguewink]

Well said. I have one of those Jimny's decked out like my Fender follow me to work everyday. It looks like mini me when we pull up at the lights side by side.
I just gotta pull him over and get a photo. He'll probably think I'm a weirdo. [biggrin]

[carpdvl]

Well said. I have one of those Jimny's decked out like my Fender follow me to work everyday. It looks like mini me when we pull up at the lights side by side.
I just gotta pull him over and get a photo. He'll probably think I'm a weirdo. [biggrin]No way he probably loves it! I'm trying to get my gf to upgrade to the new Jimny in white to match my 110 for pretty much this reason alone [emoji23]

[one_iota]

Well said. I have one of those Jimny's decked out like my Fender follow me to work everyday. It looks like mini me when we pull up at the lights side by side.
I just gotta pull him over and get a photo. He'll probably think I'm a weirdo. [biggrin]

Weird no!

Gordon Shaw who runs an Opposite Lock store in Sydney and drives a Defender has posted his Jimny make over on Facebook:

Gordon Shaw | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/gordon.shaw.338?epa=SEARCH_BOX)

[one_iota]

Perhaps most importantly
Will the new model have integrated “pant belt loop (PBL) remover”
Or will that be an expensive aftermarket accessory.
Surely LR would not steep so low as to not include such necessary functionality?

S

Land Rover's lawyers are currently drafting a legal loop hole for the sales contract!

[scarry]

Hi



I know Jill and I can get 6 hay bales in the back of our D4. We could have fitted a bit more if we had chopped a couple up. Nothing beats fitting rectangles in a car better than a rectangular shared car. That's our criterion.

Mike

Looking at the Vids,I recon the new one is slightly smaller inside than the D4.
So the 6 hay bales probably won’t fit.
Same for my rear set up in the D4[bigsad]
You may have to wait for the 130,but I will put up with the new 110,it looks like a cracker.

[cjc_td5]

Looking at the Vids,I recon the new one is slightly smaller inside than the D4.
So the 6 hay bales probably won’t fit.
Same for my rear set up in the D4[bigsad]
You may have to wait for the 130,but I will put up with the new 110,it looks like a cracker.

Google says that a D4 volume behind the second seats is 1124l.
One of the New Defender videos gives 1075l behind the rear seats.
Not much difference really.

Chris

[shack]

Well I'm done.

I was hoping to make significant money off of selling NDADS kits ( new defender anti depression systems).

But I've watched the reveal and I realize I'd go broke if I did, it's gorgeous.
The prefect mix of the old world and the new frontier.

Those eyes on the front, the dropaway roofline nod to the range rover, (full, velar and sport)

The dash nod to the defender itself as well as the rear spare wheel, the entire rear end, the belt line, the customizable 4wd settings as another nod to both the 21st century, AND the personalization ability of the original.

The approach and departure angles.

It's impossible of course, but a refined and more capable discovery 4 , now that's a paradox.

THE KING IS DEAD.

LONG LIVE THE KING.

(Did you see the eyes?)

[rick130]

Looking at the Vids,I recon the new one is slightly smaller inside than the D4.
So the 6 hay bales probably won’t fit.
Same for my rear set up in the D4[bigsad]
You may have to wait for the 130,but I will put up with the new 110,it looks like a cracker.

Have you seen the pricing Paul?

I just built one on the UK site and it came in at a touch over 56,000pounds!!
i think we can safely double that for Oz [bigsad]
I had to de-rate the spec to get 18" wheels too.

[Tins]

The "why do we need SRS" question is easily answered. NCAP. NO car will pass without airbags.

Anyway:YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vac6mJE8rqo)

[jon3950]

Geez the colour range is a bit ordinary. Ok if you like grey.

The satin paint protection looks interesting.

It was interesting hearing Professor(!) McGovern describing the design philosophy. All talk of clean surfaces and horizontal lines. Then they went and blinged it up with all the fiddly bits.

The commercials were the best looking.

So far the styling is my only real gripe.

[Tins]

I fully expected to hate it. Now, I want to see it. It could NEVER be the Deefer we all know, but so far I don't hate it. I can't afford it, but I couldn't afford the last one either, at the end.

And think about it, Deefers were always dearer then Discos.

[scarry]

Have you seen the pricing Paul?

I just built one on the UK site and it came in at a touch over 56,000pounds!!
i think we can safely double that for Oz [bigsad]
I had to de-rate the spec to get 18" wheels too.

But you want all the goodies,a bare bones poverty pack will do me.[bigwhistle][biggrin]


Seriously,yes the pricing is a bit of a worry,particularly if they are trying to make it a mainstream seller.

In Aus,they have some serious competition,with some brands having new models arriving soon as well.

[rick130]

But you want all the goodies,a bare bones poverty pack will do me.[bigwhistle][biggrin]


Seriously,yes the pricing is a bit of a worry,particularly if they are trying to make it a mainstream seller.

In Aus,they have some serious competition,with some brands having new models arriving soon as well.Hey, I used to drive a real Defender, I know what a proper poverty pack is! [emoji39][emoji23]
Luxury is having a radio, climate control is opening and closing the windscreen vents! [emoji23]

[Scouter]

Hey, I used to drive a real Defender, I know what a proper poverty pack is! [emoji39][emoji23]
Luxury is having a radio, climate control is opening and closing the windscreen vents! [emoji23]

I prefer not to think of it as a “poverty pack”. Without all the electrickery to do the thinking for you, the base model is more like “expert mode” [emoji39]

[scarry]

Didn’t Hammond say it’s got 85 PCBs,or was that 85 electronic pieces of equipment?

FFS,I say ,does it really need all that crap?

Anyway,did anyone notice it has compressed air outlet in the vehicle,as an option?

Small fuel tank again,not good for towing,or remote area travel,particularly if running a petrol model.
Sure the after market guys may be able to fit a larger one,but they don’t have the luxury of moving the spare from underneath in this model,so it may be difficult or even impossible.
Also the D4 supposedly was 82 litres,but dead empty it will only take 76l,so who knows how much is usable out of the 85l tank in this thing?

[Graekynn]

Opinion is an interesting thing to be sure. I'll admit during the teasers over the last few years I poo-pooed it right off the bat for ditching the body on frame design, for designing what I thought the D5 should have been and again for using IFS and IRS instead of live axles. My comments about it were quite harsh in the 'Will be Retro' thread. But sure enough, along with all the other defender tragics out there I made sure I had the stream up in time to see it released live.

I have to say that I was actually impressed. Had to go out into the driveway after the reveal and sit in my 90 for a while and just look, feel and smell the original because I felt rather 'conflicted' for the want of a better term. I found myself thinking that I have never actually driven any Land Rover with any of the terrain response modes, nor any vehicle with airbag suspension. Because of this I cant say with authority whether the new 90 is more or less capable than my 90. Certainly some of the stats say otherwise:

- Almost double the wading depth
- 41mm more clearance (not sure if that's with the vehicle fully raised or just normal)
- 80kw and 75nm more torque from the high output turbo diesel compared to puma
- Substantial increase in safety and build quality
- Flat protected underbody

The purist in me then returns to the disappointment at reduced articulation, no 16" wheel options and lack of a manual. However the last one may not be possible for all their terrain response jiggery-pokery to work. I was also a little disappointed in their being an 'urban' pack at all. The disco should be marketed towards city folks in my opinion, but one simply does not have to purchase that pack.

It may have lost the agricultural feel, but I feel the presence is still there. Looking at it, with the RR and Discovery in the background it is far enough removed from them for me to see it as the 'means business' member of the family. To redesign an icon is one hell of a task that will divide people more than the original design ever did. So, my opinion on it has changed considerably.

Do I like it? Yes
Do I feel they did justice to the original? Yes, because the design links to the original are not cheesy like the Jeep Renegade 'Easter Eggs'; and No, because I still feel there should have been a proper hose out version with a more rugged interior.
Would I buy one? If I hadn't fallen in love with the flat-earther charms of the original defender, then Yes, I would.

So, when I come across social media posts of snippets of the launch and press photos and begin to read through the comments I find there is no middle ground. Either love or vitriolic hate of the new design is all I see, and for once I felt a little hurt that there are people out there attacking this new design. A position I never thought I would find myself as I used to be one of them. And as I ponder the situation further on the drive to work in my 90, I imagined passing one and waving just as I would for any other defender.

Opinion is an interesting thing to be sure.

[shack]

Agreed.

[Mercguy]

Well.. static displays, youtube channel drivel and marketing BS..

Just like Boris, this one's going right down the toilet. Serious offroaders need not apply.

this is the new SMOV (soccer mum only vehicle)

154107

[scarry]

Google says that a D4 volume behind the second seats is 1124l.
One of the New Defender videos gives 1075l behind the rear seats.
Not much difference really.

Chris

Looking at specs,its shorter in the load area than D4,in all configurations.

In fact length in rear with second row seats up is over 200mm shorter,which is quite a bit of room.I measured mine to check.

So those with big fridges will have to do some shuffling around.My set up in the D4 won't fit the new vehicle.

Internal height is also around 150mm less than D4.

Width is similar,as is external height.

Anyway,i still think its a cracker.

FWIW,it also seems to be heavier than D5,probably built stronger.

Cant see many cup holders,anyone?

[rick130]

Tare of 2400kg Paul, so no lightweight

[Scouter]

Opinion is an interesting thing to be sure. I'll admit during the teasers over the last few years I poo-pooed it right off the bat for ditching the body on frame design, for designing what I thought the D5 should have been and again for using IFS and IRS instead of live axles. My comments about it were quite harsh in the 'Will be Retro' thread. But sure enough, along with all the other defender tragics out there I made sure I had the stream up in time to see it released live.

I have to say that I was actually impressed. Had to go out into the driveway after the reveal and sit in my 90 for a while and just look, feel and smell the original because I felt rather 'conflicted' for the want of a better term. I found myself thinking that I have never actually driven any Land Rover with any of the terrain response modes, nor any vehicle with airbag suspension. Because of this I cant say with authority whether the new 90 is more or less capable than my 90. Certainly some of the stats say otherwise:

- Almost double the wading depth
- 41mm more clearance (not sure if that's with the vehicle fully raised or just normal)
- 80kw and 75nm more torque from the high output turbo diesel compared to puma
- Substantial increase in safety and build quality
- Flat protected underbody

The purist in me then returns to the disappointment at reduced articulation, no 16" wheel options and lack of a manual. However the last one may not be possible for all their terrain response jiggery-pokery to work. I was also a little disappointed in their being an 'urban' pack at all. The disco should be marketed towards city folks in my opinion, but one simply does not have to purchase that pack.

It may have lost the agricultural feel, but I feel the presence is still there. Looking at it, with the RR and Discovery in the background it is far enough removed from them for me to see it as the 'means business' member of the family. To redesign an icon is one hell of a task that will divide people more than the original design ever did. So, my opinion on it has changed considerably.

Do I like it? Yes
Do I feel they did justice to the original? Yes, because the design links to the original are not cheesy like the Jeep Renegade 'Easter Eggs'; and No, because I still feel there should have been a proper hose out version with a more rugged interior.
Would I buy one? If I hadn't fallen in love with the flat-earther charms of the original defender, then Yes, I would.

So, when I come across social media posts of snippets of the launch and press photos and begin to read through the comments I find there is no middle ground. Either love or vitriolic hate of the new design is all I see, and for once I felt a little hurt that there are people out there attacking this new design. A position I never thought I would find myself as I used to be one of them. And as I ponder the situation further on the drive to work in my 90, I imagined passing one and waving just as I would for any other defender.

Opinion is an interesting thing to be sure.

Agreed.

The thing is, most of the true, die hard, mod it and go Bush bashing folks were never going to buy it brand new from JLR. It could have been a baking tray bolted to a skateboard and powered by a coal burning Isuzu lump chiseled from solid granite and the stats for every other Land Rover would have held true- most never see so much as a dirt track until they’re 7 years old and on their third owner. JLR only make money when they sell them to their first owner, who likely won’t take them off road but “wants to one day maybe and see how comfortable it it honey?”. That’s the target market. Those are the people who pay the bills, and who take the new car hit so the rest of us can buy a capable fourby all nicely run in and out of warranty. As for price, well, the G-Wagon, which is the simple(ish) body on frame, rugged, largely unchanged Defender rival, starts at more than double the dollars. It’s a tractor priced like a high end sports car. Wranglers are cheaper, but not once you’ve spent $20k on mods, and it will always be back at the dealership getting warranty work done. Even the Ute-based 4wds, the Fortuna, Everest etc, start at $50k, and the LC200 starts at $85k. So where has JLR missed the mark on price?

Only time will tell if it lives up to its name in the field, but I’ve gotta say, a lot of the hate sounds like the same complaints every redesign gets. It’s not the same, it’s got too many dohickies, it’s too soft (really? The electrics are IP68 rated), I cant repair it with barbed wire and a sledge hammer, all without seeing any real world data. Given the effort that’s obviously gone into this I’d say it should get the benefit of the doubt.

[patclan]

I'd also like to know if my thongs will still slide in under the driver's seat. [smilebigeye]
Also, do the rear windows still wind down by themselves?

And can you still open bottles of beer in the door catches? That feature alone has been a saviour on a lot of trips.

[rick130]

And can you still open bottles of beer in the door catches? That feature alone has been a saviour on a lot of trips.I just hope young Michael was talking of a Qlder's favourite footwear and not underwear! [emoji50][emoji23]

[4bee]

And can you still open bottles of beer in the door catches? That feature alone has been a saviour on a lot of trips.


GEEZUZ! That would have to be the most important question yet.[biggrin]

[DiscoMick]

Looking at specs,its shorter in the load area than D4,in all configurations.

In fact length in rear with second row seats up is over 200mm shorter,which is quite a bit of room.I measured mine to check.

So those with big fridges will have to do some shuffling around.My set up in the D4 won't fit the new vehicle.

Internal height is also around 150mm less than D4.

Width is similar,as is external height.

Anyway,i still think its a cracker.

FWIW,it also seems to be heavier than D5,probably built stronger.

Cant see many cup holders,anyone?
The 130 with the longer body might be the answer to your length issue.

[scarry]

The 130 with the longer body might be the answer to your length issue.

Yes i was thinking that,but this one is already around 5m long,then if you add a bar,thats going to increase.

I didn't like the idea of it getting any longer,as it will struggle to fit in the garage.

Although heaps of those dual cab utes are way longer than 5M.


But yes thats a good thought.

[cjc_td5]

They say that the future 130" will have the same wheelbase as the 110". So they'll do a poor mans extension like the D1 to D2 "upgrade"... [emoji852][emoji852][emoji852]

[DiscoMick]

8 - 130 in the wingsLeaked internal documents (https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/2020-land-rover-defender-specs-leaked) suggest the third Defender – the 130 – will join the family from 2022. Land Rover isn’t officially saying anything for now, but those leaked documents suggest the 130 will share the 110’s 3022mm wheelbase but with a larger body with more rear overhang.
2020 Land Rover Defender: 50 things you need to know (https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/2020-land-rover-defender-50-facts-figures)

[ozscott]

Just saw one at a dealer!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190912/406fb731cb79a35a1b4e95ca8ded443f.jpg

[DiscoMick]

I just hope young Michael was talking of a Qlder's favourite footwear and not underwear! [emoji50][emoji23]
Definitely footwear. I don't do thong underwear, it would not be a pretty sight.[bighmmm]

[SPROVER]

Yep..I brought that up awhile back that they look very similar. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji1787] it seems to be very similar.

[Meccles]

I reckon this is a straight replacement for a D4. And like them will do a good job Offroad.

[4bee]

It will be interesting to read both positive & negative feedback on this vehicle in say, one & two years time.

[rick130]

I reckon this is a straight replacement for a D4. And like them will do a good job Offroad.

Shane posted this on another thread New defender...err discovery? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/274017-new-defender-err-discovery-post2937298.html#post2937298) ....

"Read a brief interview with Gerry McGovern:
Defender designer Gerry McGovern on reviving an icon | Autocar (https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-frankfurt-motor-show/defender-designer-gerry-mcgovern-reviving-icon)
Interesting comment in that the Defender is aimed at the previous D3/4 owner:"


What does the Defender’s look mean for the next-generation Discovery? It looks to some degree to have moved into a space that car used to live in?
“That’s a fair question. People will graduate to this Defender who had a Discovery 4 (https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/land-rover/discovery-2004-2016), we suspect, and we are planning for that. Let’s say the next-generation Discovery (https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/land-rover/discovery) now has some room to move and do a different job. It might allow us to move Discovery on (https://www.autocar.co.uk/slideshow/30-years-how-discovery-changed-land-rover#1), although it bears saying again that the Discovery remains a true seven-seater in our range, whereas the Defender is a 4+2 or 4+4 or 5+3, depending how you configure it.

[scarry]

I wonder what he means 'move Discovery on'.

It is the lowest selling vehicle in their range going by the sales numbers.

They must have got the message that they struggle to sell it to current D3/4 owners.

It is also bigger than the new 110,as is the D4,and yes i know there is a new 130 arriving in the next few years.

What they need to do is a remodel of its rear end,its definitely is not appealing to the eye,that would be a start.

My way of thinking is they have to many vehicles in the one class,D5,RRs,RR,all competing against each other.

[DiscoMick]

A 3720kg towing capacity is very good.

New Land Rover Defender boasts 3720kg towing - www.caravancampingsales.com.au (https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/new-land-rover-defender-boasts-3720kg-towing-120504/)

[scarry]

A 3720kg towing capacity is very good.

New Land Rover Defender boasts 3720kg towing - www.caravancampingsales.com.au (https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/new-land-rover-defender-boasts-3720kg-towing-120504/)

But the AUS specs say 3500kg,on the LR site.

The other figure was on a SA site.

All confusing,I know.

I am yet to see a pic of one in RH drive?[biggrin]

[shack]

But the AUS specs say 3500kg,on the LR site.

The other figure was on a SA site.

All confusing,I know.

I am yet to see a pic of one in RH drive?[biggrin]I haven't checked this, but I'm pretty sure that no passenger vehicle can tow over 3500kg braked in Australia anymore.
That's why all the old defenders and discovery 1s can only tow 3500 not 4000 as is usually on the towbar, but trust me, we have a 3500 kg trailer that we actually load until it's at that, and you really would not want to go any higher anyway.

Cheers
James

[ozscott]

My Disco 1 has 4000kg stamped on the bar. The owner's manual says you can take the vehicle to LR dealership to be inspected and they are able to stamp the book at 4000kg.

Cheers

[SBD4]

I think the main thing to take away is that it has been rated to 3720Kgs in SA meaning there is plenty of head room at 3500Kg.

[cripesamighty]

The max tow limits of vehicles can be surprising. The RRC manual says it is rated to tow 6 tons in an emergency if kept below 40kph.

[shack]

My Disco 1 has 4000kg stamped on the bar. The owner's manual says you can take the vehicle to LR dealership to be inspected and they are able to stamp the book at 4000kg.

CheersI think you'll find that under Australian law that is all now irrelevant, we looked into it and there's no way around
Edit:

I've just looked and can't find what we used as reference,I see some are offering towing upgrades for lc200 etc, I'm not sure how this is done,I know if you get an extra axle it's possible, but anyway....

I guarantee 3.5 tonnes behind a car is well more than enough!

[DiscoMick]

I don't want to tow even close to 3500kg, but it's nice to know the margin is there.
Our Defender barely notices our camper trailer.
The Bruder caravan in the Defender vids weighs about 2000kg and has an ATM of 3000kg.
Brochure - EXP-6 - BruderX (https://bruderx.com/brochure/exp-6/)

[Tins]

I reckon this is a straight replacement for a D4. And like them will do a good job Offroad.

Pretty much what I was saying about a year ago. The D5 moved away from the older Disco ideal. I must admit I was looking for a split tailgate option. Maybe that fold up ladder will work though.

[rick130]

I think the main thing to take away is that it has been rated to 3720Kgs in SA meaning there is plenty of head room at 3500Kg.

Yep, the takeaway is that you won't rip the arse out of it towing.

[Saitch]

The main thing I take away from all this is the futility of conjecture. I'm more than willing to wait for some learned AULRO member to comment AFTER they have put the vehicle through some work.
How anyone can state that any vehicle is rubbish, just from some photos and vids, is not very logical to me.

[4bee]

The main thing I take away from all this is the futility of conjecture. I'm more than willing to wait for some learned AULRO member to comment AFTER they have put the vehicle through some work.
How anyone can state that any vehicle is rubbish, just from some photos and vids, is not very logical to me.


WOT? Get it dirty? Yeah right.


[bigsmile1] Just got to find someone who is prepared to do that with their million $ Baby.[biggrin]

[Saitch]

WOT? Get it dirty? Yeah right.


[bigsmile1] Just got to find someone who is prepared to do that with their million $ Baby.[biggrin]

If I had the money and liked the vehicle and purchased one, after an inspection and drive, I'd certainly be using for the same purpose as I've used all my Landies for.
Also, this "Small fuel tank" syndrome that people mention surprises me. My D1 had an 89 litre tank and that gave adequate range for 99.9% of anywhere in Oz. On the Gibb, Gunbarrel and Simpson, I did carry a Jerry can as a just-in-caser.
I would think the new 'fender would be a lot more economical than my D1, my D3 and my old Defenders so, what's the issue? The Canning? Take a Jerry or two. A lot cheaper than $1500-$2000 for an auxiliary.

[ozscott]

If I had the money and liked the vehicle and purchased one, after an inspection and drive, I'd certainly be using for the same purpose as I've used all my Landies for.
Also, this "Small fuel tank" syndrome that people mention surprises me. My D1 had an 89 litre tank and that gave adequate range for 99.9% of anywhere in Oz. On the Gibb, Gunbarrel and Simpson, I did carry a Jerry can as a just-in-caser.
I would think the new 'fender would be a lot more economical than my D1, my D3 and my old Defenders so, what's the issue? The Canning? Take a Jerry or two. A lot cheaper than $1500-$2000 for an auxiliary.Yep for sure. I just purchased 2 x Scepter diesel 20l containers and a Flo'N'Go fuel pump (same brand) to draw diesel easily straight into the filler and they will go into the ute tub. 40 litres of added diesel yields a lot of kilometres even off-road. I can leave them out and not have added weight when not needed. I know modern low sulpher diesel is not as safe as the old type but in my view it's still quite safe to transport and decant if sensible about static spark risk. Much much cheaper and doesn't interfere with clearance and departure angles etc.

Cheers

[TB]

There’s no obviously great place to carry extra diesel on the new Defender. The roof is sort of the only option, unless you throw the spare tyre up on top and re-purpose the tyre carrier for a couple of jerries.

[ozscott]

Roof would be OK. Can lie the cans on their spine or get the squat ones. Strictly speaking you are meant to take them off the roof to fuel up... risk management may see people doing different things. Whether the service station would allow it is a different story. Cheers

[PhilipA]

You could always fill the 6.5 litre pressurised water tank with diesel. Probably more useful.
Regards PhilipA

[Saitch]

There’s no obviously great place to carry extra diesel on the new Defender.

There's no obvious place for extra on any new vehicle unless it's a 'tilly or after market.

[Tins]

what's the issue? The Canning? Take a Jerry or two. A lot cheaper than $1500-$2000 for an auxiliary.

Agreed, unless I was having it built as an expedition car from new, when it could all be amortised over the lease or loan or whatever. Jerries can be a PITA when it comes to storage, and this Defender doesn't have the room of the old one. It'll be interesting to see what the accessory mobs come up with.

One thing I do like about long range tanks is being able to do an entire trip on city price fuel. Of course, that can apply to jerries as well.

[JDNSW]

I think that the thing that may be being missed in this "small fuel tank" discussion is that it is quite possible that this new Defender has significantly better fuel consumption than its predecessor. It has an entirely new engine that had low emissions as a primary design criterion, it weighs less, and has significantly lower drag, so if it does not have lower consumption, the design has failed. (of course, you can blow this by towing an unstreamlined 3.5tonne palace!)

Let's see how range is in reality once there are some actually on Australian roads.

[ozscott]

Just watched their ad videos for the various Packs. The whole family had a good laugh. It's pretty clear who their target audiences are. I hope they do well with them. They probably will.

Cheers

[Tins]

And can you still open bottles of beer in the door catches? That feature alone has been a saviour on a lot of trips.

The seatbelt tongues will probably still work.

[scarry]

I think that the thing that may be being missed in this "small fuel tank" discussion is that it is quite possible that this new Defender has significantly better fuel consumption than its predecessor. It has an entirely new engine that had low emissions as a primary design criterion, it weighs less, and has significantly lower drag, so if it does not have lower consumption, the design has failed. (of course, you can blow this by towing an unstreamlined 3.5tonne palace!)

Let's see how range is in reality once there are some actually on Australian roads.

The same diesel engines have been in the lighter D5 for a while,and going on reports,it isn't that frugal.

Maybe someone with one could chime in.

[Rovingwill]

My D5 gets 8-8.5 l/100km on the highway, by contrast my D3 andD1 got around 10 l/100km.