New Defender

**JDNSW** · 2nd March 2007, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by Quiggers

Uh huh, that was dull - looked like a powerpoint preso.

About time they made a new nose for the 'fender, love the rest of it, but that front is getting very tired.

Close up shot of the oh so sexy tiny tail light? I thought it was a gag... but it was trying to be serious????

The 'fender could be easily adapted to the RR classic front end... 'fender style... given the penchant for traditional round headlights...

GQ

Can someone explain the obsession with appearance for a utility vehicle? For a start, "restyling" would involve a whole collection or new parts, most of which are likely to be damaged in a minor accident, will be unavailable second hand since they are only used for a year or two production - and for the same reason, knowing Landrover, in a few years they will be unavailable from the manufacturer either.

Probably the main attraction of the Defender is the fact that it does NOT change unnecessarily.

John

**dobbo** · 2nd March 2007, 05:44 AM

You'd think in 2007 the sexy tail lights would be flush mounted instead of utilising trailor lights, this would not only look better but would have a practical application in that they wouldn't get smashed as easily in a 4wd or minor traffic bingle.

**camel_landy** · 2nd March 2007, 05:58 AM

Those off-road pics look as though they were taken at Eastnor Castle.

M

**JDNSW** · 2nd March 2007, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by dobbo

You'd think in 2007 the sexy tail lights would be flush mounted instead of utilising trailor lights, this would not only look better but would have a practical application in that they wouldn't get smashed as easily in a 4wd or minor traffic bingle.

Same comment - requires unnecessarily changing parts - in this case the rear side panel, the rear panel, the steel body capping, and the light (replacing it with one that while it might be slightly less vulnerable would cost ten times as much to replace, and you would only be able to get the whole light not the glass). All the parts you are proposing to change are the same or at least interchangeable for the last twenty years or more. The sensible thing would be to fit protectors similar to the army's fittings on the Series Landrovers, preferably as standard.

John

**PeterM** · 2nd March 2007, 07:09 AM

Definitley a big improvement inside with some familiar switches and positions there so people don't get lost. Bonnet bulge interesting, wonder what prompted that, v6tdi perhaps?

Not owning a Defender myself, are the doors different too? These look to be one piece.

**JDNSW** · 2nd March 2007, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by PeterM

.......
Not owning a Defender myself, are the doors different too? These look to be one piece.

All Civilian Defenders (and the 110/90 since about 1985) have had doors with windup windows - and all doors with windup windows have been one piece. The Defender doors currently used were introduced in 1987, with a pressed steel frame rather than the earlier built up frame. As far as I can tell from the photos, these are the same in the new model.

John

**Frenchie** · 2nd March 2007, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by PeterM

v6tdi perhaps?

You wish!

I wish, we all wish.........

**hiline** · 2nd March 2007, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Frenchie

You wish!

I wish, we all wish.........

wishes dashed

**LRHybrid100** · 2nd March 2007, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

All Civilian Defenders (and the 110/90 since about 1985) have had doors with windup windows - and all doors with windup windows have been one piece. The Defender doors currently used were introduced in 1987, with a pressed steel frame rather than the earlier built up frame. As far as I can tell from the photos, these are the same in the new model.

John

110's had the lift up handle then the Defenders has push button doors - right?

**UncleHo** · 2nd March 2007, 08:26 AM

G'day Folks

I agree with what JDNSW has posted, the whole concept of a utility vehicle is it's practicality

it shares a basic body style of it's precedesors and that replacement parts and panels are basically interchangeable, this is a major factor with O/seas Aid agencies, as the cost factor is a large part of their budget concerns, these vehicles are not built as a Fashion Item but a Working vehicle, style changes by other manufacturers is only driven by the need for sales and to keep the production lines and stylists in work

You can fit a lamp, Clutch M/cyl from a Series 3 straight into a TD 5 defender, even the Throwout bearing is interchangeable 1971-2006, Headlights from 51-06,

try to do that with a Nippon built one they don't even carry parts past 10 years.

They are my thoughts anyway.

cheers

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