Reply With Quote2013? what card game where you playing?
Master
New Land Rover Defender on cards for 2013
The replacement for the legendary Land Rover Defender could be seen next year.
Land Rover says it has learned what it needs from its polarising DC100 concept cars, which put a controversial 21st century spin on renewal of the tractor-tough Defender, and is now moving into the next phase of development ahead of production.
It is promising an early unveiling for the next-generation Defender, as soon as the mechanical package for the vehicle is settled. "Because we're replacing an icon it's quite likely that you'll see it quite early," the head of Land Rover, Phil Popham, reveals to Carsguide during a brief Australian visit.
"We've made the decision we are going to replace it. But we've got to work through the technology decisions first. We are still some way off being in a position to announce what it's going to look like, what it's going to be. But work is continuing."
Popham says the DC100s, which starred at a series of motor shows last year, have done a good job but won't be seen again in 2012. Carsguide believes they have now been retired.
He stops just short of confirming a 2013 unveiling for the production Defender, even though European sources suggest production will begin in 2014. It is also going back to the USA for the first time since sales were suspended in 1997.
"We've got some useful research with DC100, which is a little bit polarising in terms of those that love it, those who are indifferent, and those that didn't like it at all. But that's exactly what we wanted to get. We expected that." Popham says.
The two DC100s were built under the direction of Australia Murray Dietsch, an ex-Ford Australia man who was chief engineer on the landmark Land Rover Evoque, although he has not been named as chief of the full-scale Defender project.
Popham says the project is moving fast with the focus on ensuring a vehicle that is suitable for more than just the handful of hardcore Defender fans. "A lot of work is being done now in terms of the technology we need to apply to Defender to make sure it delivers in terms of performance and the duty cycle,"
"We understand what the car needs to be, what it needs to deliver, where it's going to be sold. We need now to find the best way from an engineering design point of view to bring it out. We've pretty well run the business case. What we're into now is the technology we need to bring to market and the implications that has for design. Obviously design and engineering need to work together."
Popham says Land Rover is already set for Defender production, after upgrades in Britain to cope with demand for the city-focused Evoque and the all-new Range Rover that lands in Australia next year. "We have invested massively in manufacturing. We've just invested £350 million ($542 million) in Solihull for this car, and hired another 1000 people. With the right sort of investment, we've got plenty of capacity."
From New Land Rover Defender on cards for 2013 | carsguide.com.au
Swaggie
2013? what card game where you playing?
CTRL + V!
SubscriberNot according to Land Rover Monthly.November issue, 2012. Bob
" While the automotive World in general - and LR enthusiasts in particular - await the long-overdue Defender replacement, they can be assured that it won't be arriving any time soon. Certainly not in 2013, anyway, because LR has just released images and specification for its 2013 model- year tweaks, which amount to two new exterior body colours, four new contrasting roof colours, comfortable new seats [optional] and an upgraded Alpine sound system.
Land Rover says the 2013 Defender is aimed at ' strenghtening the appeal of the iconic Defender ' for ' customers seeking a higher level of specification '. ". The two new body colours - Barolo Black and Havana. The contrasting roof colours - the standard Fiji White, plus Santorini Black, Indus Silver, Orkney Grey, or Firenze Red.
" Inside the cab, part leather seats for the driver & passenger are now available as optional extras. Finally, the the standard 4 speaker cd player can be upgraded with an optional Alpine-branded 150W subwoofer & better speakers. Conservative LR fans, not best impressed by the appearance of the DC100, will be pleased the Defender lives on .
But, that's not the case in the USA, where strict safety legislation means the aging Defender design is outlawed & where enthusiasts are excited about a replacement they can actually get their hands on, even if it is based on the DC100"
I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food
A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking
RoverLord
Two different questions - Naks' post is about the release of a production prototype, bob10 is talking about the 2013 production Defenders.
If they are planning on actual production in 2014, the new Defender will almost certainly be on an existing platform, most likely the D4/RRS one, but with new bodywork - which may or may not owe anything to the DC100. There does not seem to be any reason why this could not appear some time next year as a prototype.
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
Fossicker
more cubic "
wouldn't it be nice if they give us engine options for those of us that like our engines closer two 4l than 2l dreams are free
LordRover
SubscriberYes , 2.7 or 3.0 TDV6 with autoOriginally Posted by wowscounty
MY08 TDV6 SE D3- permagrin ooh yeah
2004 Jayco Freedom tin tent
1998 Triumph Daytona T595
1974 VW Kombi bus
1958 Holden FC special sedan
YarnMaster
That's how I read it too. From what has been published elsewhere they apparently need to sell at least 50,000 units per year to make engineering a replacement worthwhile, so I'm sure they want to get the prototypes out in public to start building demand.
Master
Realistically, to make those kinds of numbers the Defender replacement will need to be what the series one Discovery was to the brand.
The D4 is a great vehicle but just too expensive for many of us who intend on taking it bush. Taking the engineering effort that has gone into the Discovery or Rangie Sport platform and packaging it differently could make attractive dividends for the company.
The other option would be to take the new Rangie platform and base the Defender off that. It would improve the economies of scale, bring a quicker return on investment and set the Defender on the path of leap-frogging its competition in a significant way.
I would imagine that the tech package would bear a resemblance to the G-Wagon with diff locks all 'round, ABS, ESC and HDC. The driveline is likely to be the 3.0L diesel with auto as standard and I'd hazard a manual option. Petrol variants for the US and gulf states markets.
The styling of the D100 concept had me thinking that it looked like a 3 door Rangie/Disco. Perhaps that is where they may pitch the Defender? Regardless, there is a family styling trend throughout the ranges now with Defender being the odd one out.
Wizard
I'm not really fussed about engines. I'd just like to see factory difflocks attached to a decent pair of diffs for a change. With a portal option of course. Yes dreams are free. Just as well, because I don't have the money to pay for them.Yes , 2.7 or 3.0 TDV6 with auto
Bill.
Wizard
Hope fully the engine will the 3.2 Duratorque as found in the UK Transit's or our Ranger/BT50.
I would give 3.0SDV6 a miss with all of its ongoing issues.
In any case got my vote for strong diff's with "E lockers".
Unfortunately you can see the solid beam diff's being replaced for an IRS/IFS set up
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