Thread: On a serious note

Personally i am a Luddite and anything more complicated than a tdi just doesn't interest me. Cant ever see myself buying a td5 or anything built since. If i wanted that sort of engine management and electronics i would just get a discovery. As far as im am concerned they stopped making the defender years ago.

They made the usual mistake of pommie automobile designers. They did not put enough engine into it. Poms seem obsessed with limiting their designs performance by sticking to tiny underpowered engines. They put an anaemic 2.4 litre four cylinder engine from a plumber's van into the Defender. Why not stick in a 5 litre naturally aspirated diesel for a good start and simplicity for remote area use. Upmarket or later versions could have an optional turbocharged and intercooled version.

In terms of breaking down... I think the use of "fix on the side of the road" engines are now a thing of the past with emissions laws and power expectations. Mind you, LR up until Ford haven't really been interested in outright power outputs.... or any power outputs really.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

In terms of breaking down... I think the use of "fix on the side of the road" engines are now a thing of the past with emissions laws and power expectations. Mind you, LR up until Ford haven't really been interested in outright power outputs.... or any power outputs really.

exactly, well said

Having been forced in to trading my Disco for something new - due to a holiday that has already been discussed on the forum - I now have had a new Defender for about 3 weeks and 4900km. Suffice to say we are both very pleased with it. Its no sports car, but then slab sided Land Rovers aren't supposed to be, that's why one day I'd like a Morgan which also isn't the fasted thing on the road but is a sports car.

Lets see:
Towing - Fantastic
Fuel economy - whilst towing is good, don't know about not towing yet as only on first full tank without the trailer, looking like 10 - 11L/100km
Comfort - better than its forebears
A/C and heating - very impressed with both.
Cabin noise - about the same as my D1 was. Way better than my other Defender.
Dust leaks - yes, I am fixing them as I go.

It is all about emissions laws and safty standards.

Land Rover have to make it legal otherwise they can not sell it, which means you can not buy it.

Small capacity, low boost engines are more economical and have much lower emissions.

Originally Posted by black betty

It is all about emissions laws and safty standards.

Land Rover have to make it legal otherwise they can not sell it, which means you can not buy it.

Small capacity, low boost engines are more economical and have much lower emissions.

Exactly, and old fashioned big bore lumps, whether you like them or not, do not cut the mustard anymore.

As for LR only putting in small engines, the big market is Europe for them and tax laws demand them. An engine strictly for Australia's small numbers will never happen.

Yep I agree. You can still have big bore engines or high pressure turbos and still be ADR complient. Toyota do this well with their TDV8. Also, and interestingly... a smaller engine doesn't necessarily mean that it will be more economical either.