Thread: Defender 90. Why no auto?

While an auto option would have been good for sales, I'm glad they didn't do it. Would be like high-heeled gumboots.

2 of my 3 Defenders are auto and I considered converting my 110 Puma, but the conversion only gives you 4 gears and I thought that would be a step back coming from 6 gears. Saying that the anti stall works great and the gearbox needed a few k's to work smoothly so very happy with the manual now. m

Originally Posted by Pickles2

A lot of owners drive their cars predominantly on the roads, where getting off the line the Defender is dreadfully slow,...with an auto it would be even slower,....90KW is simply not enough to drive an auto.

Try driving one converted with the power boost!

My 130 could take most things off the mark. To much go for a 130 instead of not enough. Also good on the down hill when you locked it into low range 2nd or 3rd gear.

But I will consed it's not standard

the auto conversion performed by someone else is around 20k when i was talking to a guy who was about to perform one
it was something like 12k possibly more for the conversion from the uk plus fitting getting the electrics working
3.2's are also apprently a conversion possiblity but add anther 15-20k

so aftermarket is possible but expensive

Originally Posted by Mammalalien

While an auto option would have been good for sales, I'm glad they didn't do it. Would be like high-heeled gumboots.

And my ex wife could drive it.

Or just get a Disco...

M

I now have an Amarok because LR wont make a defender with auto and cruise control.

For close to $60k on the road the 130 just does not stack up in that market sector anymore. Sure you get coils and discs on the back, but honestly, who cares? The driveability of the Amarok makes the 130 look like a Grey Fergie.

Originally Posted by akelly

The driveability of the Amarok makes the 130 look like a Grey Fergie.

That's the main point though isn't it? Very few people would come down to choosing between an Amarok and Defender for the same job because they are very different vehicles.

I think the Defender shouldn't be competing with the (ever larger) utes like the Ranger and Amarok. It should be competing with the landcruiser 70 for the heavy duty offroad use market.