Thread: Won’t be retro...

Originally Posted by goingbush

don't drink, but felt obliged to buy a $30 bottle of wine. I'm sure its past its use by date now.

I think it’s supposed to get better with age? 😊

The New Defender Will Not Be Like the Old One | Outside Online

Great article posted someone posted on another forum.

Originally Posted by blackrangie

The New Defender Will Not Be Like the Old One | Outside Online

Great article posted someone posted on another forum.

Great article. As a former owner of three (3) double locked Defenders used for serious offroad driving, I transitioned into a D3 with ediff in 2007 then later in 2010 to a 3.0 litre SDV6 D4 also with the ediff simply because I doubted the ability of the Puma to also realistically tow a 3.5 tonne caravan which I was about to buy. This was something I did not do lightly. Would I ever get over cruising along with my arm on the window ledge, listening to the diesel purr, feeling the rain drops on my accelerator foot and going where ever I wanted. I must admit my heart still skips a beat every time I see a Defender.

But as much as I love them I would never go back (for what I want a vehicle for). It did take a while to adjust to the odd wheel popping off the ground and that feeling of uncertainty an independent suspension gives, but I can truthfully say that both Discoveries have never left me wanting. They have mastered all of the major iconic offroad tracks in every State of Australia (Canning SR, Simpson, The Cape, Vic High Country, west coast of Tas, etc) without fail, all the time providing a great on-road driving experience. The air suspension has been so good for towing and so reliable in the 350,000 km I have done in the Discos.

However, it is now time to move on again, (except for the Series 1 in the shed, I have owned the D4 longer than any other vehicle in my life) but my disappointment with the D5 as an offroad touring vehicle option has had me looking over the fence. The early concept of the new Defender also left me cold, but the latest renditions of this vehicle have installed great interest in this vehicle for me because from what I have seen, I reckon it will be a great all-round offroad touring vehicle that will also tow my van with ease. I am now willing to take a chance and have booked a build spot for when the specifications become available. I say bring it on.

That article was clearly written by an ill informed RRV loving American

But anyways, that is the market going forward for LR

RRV lovers


And that is what defender lovers have been saying from the beginning - it’s not a defender

Just has taken the name?

I’m out for a bit
At least till September

That article is looking at it from the point of view of a serious offroad enthusiast. This is only a tiny part of the market served by the Defender and its predecessors. The major part of the market is that now filled by vehicles such as the ubiquitous Hilux for an offroad capable utility vehicle with good load carrying ability, and available in a wide variety of body types. And suitable for use by farmers, mining operations, and government organisations including police and military.

It is unclear whether the new Defender will meet this market satisfactorily, however, some of the points made in the article were worth considering. Although not strictly accurate, there was some truth in the statement that the Defender was based on the Rangerover platform. It shared the same drive train in some models, and the same same or similar suspension. But the chassis and body were almost entirely carried over from the Series 3, and only a tiny proportion of Defenders shared an engine with any Rangerovers.

No doubt this will become clearer when it is actually released.

Originally Posted by lrdef110

Great article. As a former owner of three (3) double locked Defenders used for serious offroad driving, I transitioned into a D3 with ediff in 2007 then later in 2010 to a 3.0 litre SDV6 D4 also with the ediff simply because I doubted the ability of the Puma to also realistically tow a 3.5 tonne caravan which I was about to buy. This was something I did not do lightly. Would I ever get over cruising along with my arm on the window ledge, listening to the diesel purr, felling the rain drops on my accelerator foot and going where ever I wanted. I must admit my heart still skips a beat every time I see a Defender.

But as much as I love them I would never go back (for what I want a vehicle for). It did take a while to adjust to the odd wheel popping off the ground and that feeling of uncertainty an independent suspension gives, but I can truthfully say that both Discoveries have never left me wanting. They have mastered all of the major iconic offroad tracks in every State of Australia (Canning SR, Simpson, The Cape, Vic High Country, west coast of Tas, etc) without fail, all the time providing a great on-road driving experience. The air suspension has been so good for towing and so reliable in the 350,000 km I have done in the Discos.

However, it is now time to move on again, (except for the Series 1 in the shed, I have owned the D4 longer than any other vehicle in my life) but my disappointment with the D5 as an offroad touring vehicle has had me looking over the fence. The early concept of the new Defender also left me cold, but the latest renditions of this vehicle have installed great interest in this vehicle for me because from what I have seen, I reckon it will be a great all-round offroad touring vehicle that will also tow my van with ease. I am now willing to take a chance and have booked a build spot for when the specifications become available. I say bring it on.

Well said.

I am in the same boat,as i recon many others are that own vehicles like the D3/4,and other LR's.

Although i haven't done the Cape in the D4,did it twice in the D2a,we have travelled this country extensively in the D4,including remote desert trips,and found it to be a fantastic touring vehicle.

Just back from another 4000Km trip,it is just a pleasure to drive.

We will wait until i have a very good look at the new Deefer,before putting any $ down,but from what i have seen so far,it looks pretty good,as long as its priced sensibly.

Its also great to have a thread like this with a heap of uptodate info on the new vehicle.

Originally Posted by blackrangie

The New Defender Will Not Be Like the Old One | Outside Online

Great article posted someone posted on another forum.

Yes, articles like that are why I subscribe to Outside.

Originally Posted by roverrescue

....

And that is what defender lovers have been saying from the beginning - it’s not a defender

Just has taken the name?

.....

I think this attitude misses the point of the article.

Read it again.
Same was said of the first coilers in the mid 80's Those new fangled sissy specced 90's, 110's and 130's .. coils were supposedly going to ruin the great series Landrovers.

History showed us it's the coils that made it great!

Folks denigrating a product before it's released don't really know what they're talking about.

Give it a chance before you condemn it!

Why isn't it a defender?

What makes a Range Rover a Range Rover?
People have no got used to it having air suspension. Got used to it now having independent suspension.
Is it any less a Range Rover .. or the Disco now being a legit Disco?