Any news of the new Defender?

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Originally Posted by PAT303

John,a 2T 4wd is different to a small car,Land Rover have no choice but to make the defender replacement aerodynamic,it kills two birds with one stone,it makes it pedestrian safe and cuts fuel use so makes it easier to get past pollution standards.MrLandy,the days of fixing vehicles with gaffer tape and fencing wire are long gone,look at the positive instead,we can buy a defender fitted with a 4 cylinder engine that will tow 2T at 100 all day and return 14ltr/100 and 10k between servicing,do you really want to go back to a 1HZ that will struggle to sit on 80 under the same conditions while using 20ltr/100 and twice the amount of servicing with almost twice the amount of oil per service?. Pat

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As I pointed out, you do not have to have a near horizontal windscreen to be aerodynamic - most of the current cars follow this design slavishly simply because it is fashionable. And it is very difficult to make the vehicle aerodynamic if it is also required to perform well off road, unless you fit variable height suspension.

I don't particularly want a vehicle that will tow 2 tonnes at 100 all day, although there are times when it could be useful. What I and many others who currently mostly have competitors vehicles want, is something that will carry close to a tonne, won't get stuck if I have to drive across a couple of paddocks, won't get damaged on the track between here and the front gate or if used for hand feeding, can be hosed out, will stand regular use on the road between here and the nearest bitumen, doesn't turn into an oven when parked in the sun, and can be maintained and repaired by any mechanic instead of having to go to a dealer who may be along way away.

I should point out that my current Landrover does 10-11l/100km, and is 10,000km between services - and has done well over 500,000km, with no oil between services, even if it does not tow 2t at 100km/hr unless it is level with no headwind, albeit with a 3.9l 4cyl engine. And at least it has seats that are still comfortable after half an hour, unlike the near new competitor I currently have as a hire car while the Landrover has accident damage repaired.

John

Your missing the point,your vehicle can and does do all that,the problem is it doesn't meet a single modern road standard regarding vehicles,all vehicles must meet pedestrian standards which means big bumpers,sloped front end that has all protrusions in line with the body line and raked back windscreens.Modern design has nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with meeting 5 star safety ratings and added aero benefit helps meet Euro 5-6 pollution standards along with EGR's,particulate filters etc,if Land Rover wants to get the defender back to North America,and they have said over and over that that is the goal they have to make it meet those regulations. Pat

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Originally Posted by PAT303

Your missing the point,your vehicle can and does do all that,the problem is it doesn't meet a single modern road standard regarding vehicles,all vehicles must meet pedestrian standards which means big bumpers,sloped front end that has all protrusions in line with the body line and raked back windscreens.Modern design has nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with meeting 5 star safety ratings and added aero benefit helps meet Euro 5-6 pollution standards along with EGR's,particulate filters etc,if Land Rover wants to get the defender back to North America,and they have said over and over that that is the goal they have to make it meet those regulations. Pat

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The 5 star safety rating does not mandate shallow sloping windscreens. Nor, in fact does it mandate sloping fronts, although they certainly have to be rounded and without protrusions.

But to some extent you are right, and strangely, many people do not see how ludicrous it is to have the design of a vehicle intended primarily for rural use using design parameters based on inner city use. What I am quite certain is that skillful design can meet both criteria to a much greater degree than has been done to date. (by anyone)

What we will have to see is whether the Landrover designers can do this - even if they try, which is not certain.

John

I have never met a pedestrian yet that has got personal with a vehicle, any vehicle, even with all the safety features, and walked away. I think the problem is, to tell you the truth, vehicles designed for speed, to be able to go a gazillion MPH on the autobahn. I think it is outrageous that European designers have decided to make dangerous, vehicles that go slow, and design modern missiles, with drivers who watch the Grand Prix, and are just grand ******. A bit like give it the berries, really. Bob

Well I've heard the Defender replacement has been pushed back to 2018 as Land Rover has decided to stay with live axles which means no T5 platform. Pat

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Originally Posted by PAT303

Well I've heard the Defender replacement has been pushed back to 2018 as Land Rover has decided to stay with live axles which means no T5 platform. Pat

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Reliable source? I would be astounded if that was the case (not the delay the live axle suspension). If it's true then that is a juicy bit of news.