Thread: Won’t be retro...

Originally Posted by scarry

But shod with tyre types and sizes that don't suit off road use....

For sure, although I believe tyres and wheels are now avail that are suitable?
I have never known anyone to keep the stock wheels and tyres on any 4x4, so bit of a non issue now?
It seems from the latest Defender pics, this won't be an Issue?

The point of the capability posts was not overall perfection for off-road from the factory, rather that there is a large focus by JLR towards off-road capability as a point of difference.

The Defender has always been the Halo of that and by the looks still will be.

It's not the rubber (pattern) as such, nor the rims (materials) as LR make excellent rims with great lipping that keeps tyres on at low pressure. Its the size of the calipers that dictate the minimum rim size. Also, these days most insurers would be very reluctant to insure a significant change of rim size that saw a large increase in rubber (handling changes and possible issues with stability programs.etc). So unless it was say a 17 (16's better but new Deefer's brake diameters.are simple.not going to allow that) inch rim and overall diameter of at least 31 inch from the factory it will be compromised. If LR did provide that as a base model option or delete option for upper spec it would send the right message and get a lot more interest from die hard offroaders.

Cheers

PS. In my estimation over 90 percent of Defender, D2 with factory 16's have kept the stock 16 inch rims and simply increased tyre size.

Vehicles come new with highway tyres to increase bitumen grip and braking and lower noise levels.

Something to keep in mind in all this chat about advertising and promotion is that LR and many other vehicle makers have withdrawn from the major auto shows globally. This is due to the cost and the fact they get bugger all marketing and brand awareness compared to social media in its many forms. So this is where the future lies and clearly from all the things the LR USA has said social media tools are going to be what they use for Defender. It will actually be the first time, at least I think so, they have used this strategy. But it's not new. For example when we were involved with the FJ Cruiser launch my team spent 3 days supporting social media journalists and bloggers from a very broad range of interest groups. It was a fascinating bit of learning on how marketing was evolving way back then.

So LR's current drip feed strategy will keep us entertained until they are ready to launch.

I'm just sitting back looking, trying to analyse what we are getting fed with interest. I am a potential purchaser but apart from its 4WD credentials it must be able to tow our Q+. If it doesn't then I am down to two choices only ATM; D5 and LC200. Waiting to see what the new GWagen delivers but price wise probably OTT.

Life is rarely if ever boring only more or less interesting each day

Rob

This thread is kind of funny to check in on every so often.

Originally Posted by strangy

This thread is kind of funny to check in on every so often.

But !
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Originally Posted by RobA

Something to keep in mind in all this chat about advertising and promotion is that LR and many other vehicle makers have withdrawn from the major auto shows globally. This is due to the cost and the fact they get bugger all marketing and brand awareness compared to social media in its many forms. So this is where the future lies and clearly from all the things the LR USA has said social media tools are going to be what they use for Defender. It will actually be the first time, at least I think so, they have used this strategy. But it's not new. For example when we were involved with the FJ Cruiser launch my team spent 3 days supporting social media journalists and bloggers from a very broad range of interest groups. It was a fascinating bit of learning on how marketing was evolving way back then.

So LR's current drip feed strategy will keep us entertained until they are ready to launch.

I'm just sitting back looking, trying to analyse what we are getting fed with interest. I am a potential purchaser but apart from its 4WD credentials it must be able to tow our Q+. If it doesn't then I am down to two choices only ATM; D5 and LC200. Waiting to see what the new GWagen delivers but price wise probably OTT.

Life is rarely if ever boring only more or less interesting each day

Rob

Looked at Gwagon commercial version ?

Originally Posted by ozscott

It's not the rubber (pattern) as such, nor the rims (materials) as LR make excellent rims with great lipping that keeps tyres on at low pressure. Its the size of the calipers that dictate the minimum rim size. Also, these days most insurers would be very reluctant to insure a significant change of rim size that saw a large increase in rubber (handling changes and possible issues with stability programs.etc). So unless it was say a 17 (16's better but new Deefer's brake diameters.are simple.not going to allow that) inch rim and overall diameter of at least 31 inch from the factory it will be compromised. If LR did provide that as a base model option or delete option for upper spec it would send the right message and get a lot more interest from die hard offroaders.

Cheers

PS. In my estimation over 90 percent of Defender, D2 with factory 16's have kept the stock 16 inch rims and simply increased tyre size.

Never heard of anyone being knocked back for insurance on rim size change or infact anyone being knocked back for insurance.

Insurers will generally insure most things, will they pay out? that's another thing. If law of state says you can't rim drop even with engineering that's news to me.
2 out of 6 of my mates that have or had fenders have stock wheels but tyres upgraded the rest wheels and tyres, I would say the same would be the case at most LR shows and all the offroad cars that go through shops like LRA, BOR, DPL

Let's not forget Ultra 4 desert trucks run 17 and some even 18+ inch wheels, it's tire size that matters

As per pics is a non issue currently and by the looks definitely not with the fender.

Again the point was of JLRs focus not that they get wheel sizes right from the factory.

Generally people don't care if they need to change wheels and tires when they buy a new 4x4, if your going to use it properly off-road, that's the first thing most people do along with a small lift.