Thread: Won’t be retro...

Originally Posted by Ean Austral

I could very well be wrong , time will tell . You seem to have the same view as me , that being its D4 based. I think that will be a good thing as I think the D4 is a more practical platform that the clone vehicles.

There is no way that the new Defo is D4-based in any way. The D4 is on a lightly reworked D3 platform which was an older body-on-frame arrangement (itself derived from Explorer during the Ford tenure) which has now been obsoleted by LR (D4 being the last using it), where the new Defo is part of the new architecture underpinning FFRR/D5/RRS/etc. It is an aluminium-intensive monocoque modular platform. Of this there really is no doubt as LR have officially confirmed repeatedly and the myriad of pictures of the pilots confirm.
From an opinion perspective... To me I'd agree that dimensionally it looks to be approximately D4 sized, but with improved 'boxiness' and probably a bit more track (hence the flared guards). The new Defo just couldn't be sold competitively at the old Defo's interior width. LR had to widen it significantly for the new range of customers. Nowadays people want their elbows inside the cab - especially true for 'robustly-framed' Americans which is a key market - and crash requirements drive a degree of greater door thickness which adds to exterior width.

Originally Posted by roverrescue

Yeah I think if it is 1625 or thereabouts it will be one stable footed unit!

D4 was 1605/1612mm so in same ball park as that I’m guessing

DR as mentioned before though, 6 seats won’t be enough for the family market
So many people want that third row in a wagon but as you say maybe if/when they release a long wheelbase it might cater to that sector.

S

10% of population over 4 members

True 6 seats are tons for 4 people.

So 90% of population will be fine

6 full seats are more than enough for 5 people.

Thats 95% of population.

Agree 5% of population are 6 or more, for them there is the D5 (thats what its built for) maybe even a bigger Defender in the future

People don’t buy wagons based on statistics BR
WTH are there so many prado and 200 and patrols in the cities on the school run if 5 seats are enough?

People with kids want space and like the third row seating

It’s just how it is?

If you are dropping that much coin on a wagon and it’s a choice between two rows and three
Families will angle to the bigger unit every time and that’s why there are so many soccer mum SUVs

S

Originally Posted by roverrescue

People don’t buy wagons based on statistics BR
WTH are there so many prado and 200 and patrols in the cities on the school run if 5 seats are enough?

People with kids want space and like the third row seating

It’s just how it is?

If you are dropping that much coin on a wagon and it’s a choice between two rows and three
Families will angle to the bigger unit every time and that’s why there are so many soccer mum SUVs

S

Stats dont lie though, for a fam considering a new purchase, they see the new defender, like the look, if it works it works, 3rd row usually means more weight and poor departure.

I guess it comes down to the buyer, do they want a school run car that can 4x4 or a TRUE dual purpose 4x4, that is not as good on the school run for a family of 5 or 6+

People are sheeple generally, that's why we see so much of the same everywhere and they are a good thing.

New defender should stand out from the crowd in looks based on the comparo above of similar sized 4x4s.

It will certainly be interesting if the 3 across the front
Does in fact come to market

Two things for me:

1/ They sure better have made some storage options to conpensate for no centre console.
2/ it will be interesting if they run a 60/40 split or three dedicated seats? If 60/40 chances are the passenger front seat will be compromised comfort compared to a dedicated seat? Even for the functionality it gives that is a drawback. Perhaps it might be three dedicated seats with the centre folding back as a console? Would also mean the centre could be removed to make space for a fridge or console???

Interesting times indeed!

S

I would like to see an option of a fridge between the front 2 buckets and no third row alongwith 75kg roof limit for on and off road (not too much to ask...) for max 5 people families to give enough room for a good camping trip without the need to tow a trailer.

Cheers

Actually, I don't see a huge number of 4WDs on our school run, just a couple of Prados and an Everest. Most vehicles have 2-3 kids in them plus a driver. Lots of Taragos and other vans. Also lots of small cars.

The Defender is on the new MLA platform which is going to be used across the LR range and its not the same as the D4's platform.

Another wishful accessory would be an accessory switch bank like the Jeep Gladiator. 6 fully customisable switches (latched/unlatched, ignition or full time power etc, selectable via the central touch screen) with relays to fly wires under the dash. Would make extra lights etc so much neater...