Some better spy shots at last!

**veebs** · 3rd October 2018, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Arapiles

I'd expect it to be EAS - otherwise this pilot model would have more ground clearance. And given that it's IFS they'd just plug in what's currently under the D5 etc, which means EAS.

Yep - they have elsewhere stated this is the most advanced offroad vehicle they have ever built, meaning old-school springs and live axles are unlikely to make an appearance (except for very possibly a spring mounted poverty/extreme ruggedness pack)

Or is this the D6? haha

**veebs** · 3rd October 2018, 05:44 PM

Interesting that it would be LHD?

**rick130** · 3rd October 2018, 05:45 PM

Hopefully the bonnet is shorter than it appears in the photos.
One big advantage of a 90/110/130 over the opposition was a much better view over the bonnet enabling much better wheel placement off road.

Anyone that has driven a GU Patrol off road knows how it's "by guess or by God" when it comes to reaching the summit of a steep climb.

**kowari** · 3rd October 2018, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by rar110

It looks to me JLR have stuck moulding to roof, bonnet, door window sills and rear quarter to conceal the shape. Which probably means the final shape is under there somewhere.

So they moved the disco 4 aside to introduce.........a disco 4

**cuppabillytea** · 3rd October 2018, 06:20 PM

Oh well. Guess Mr Landy was right after all.

**DeanoH** · 3rd October 2018, 06:25 PM

It may just be LR playing mind games but it sure looks like a tarted up, re badged D4 to me. About as appealing as the pox.

Certainly doing a good job in maintaining the high resale value of real Defenders.

Sigh ....................................

Deano.

**ozy013** · 3rd October 2018, 06:44 PM

Never have I seen such a heavily camouflaged mule before.......and I've seen a few up close. My job involves new vehicle transport, we move vehicles for Landrover, BMW, Mercedes, Holden and many more...when the mules arrive it's in enclosed trailers, they then go straight undercover......non of the mules I've seen up close have had any badging on at all. Actually, come to think of it, I did once see a Mercedes mule, wih an Audi badge on the front.

So why go to all that effort, then slap your own logo down the side?.

Probably Landrover playing games, or another manufacturer taking advantage of all the speculation. ...........think I will wait till I see it in the flesh.

**cjc_td5** · 3rd October 2018, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by kowari

So they moved the disco 4 aside to introduce.........a disco 4

So if we end with SWB and dual cab updated D4s, that suits me just fine.

**Arapiles** · 3rd October 2018, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by veebs

Interesting that it would be LHD?

Yes, I wondered about that too. This Defender will be able to sold in the US so it's probably a key market in terms of hoped volume.

Edit:

Other observations:

- nowhere for a tyre underneath (unless they move the exhausts) so probably on the back door
- should be room for a decent sized fuel tank, as the tyre doesn't appear to be under there
- appears to have more windscreen tech than RR, RRS or Velar - for "transparent bonnet" ability?
- tyres seem to have more sidewall than my D4's 19s, so 18s?
- almost no rear overhang

**RobA** · 4th October 2018, 10:21 AM

With LR stating they see the US of A as a key market for Defender LHD is no surprise at all. With a global product LHD is mandatory and these days the production line setup and engineering is such that you can easily build them and RHD back to back on the same line. But the base/structural engineering is extremely sophisticated and complex to allow for things like routing of wiring and plumbing and other stuff.

It will be interesting to see where the spare ends up. The photos don't show any reinforcing/mounting on the rear door. But if this is a pre-production mule that will most likely be seen on another one that will surely pop-up over the next few months

If we are looking at 2020 as the launch year, normal industry practice is to have production design finalised NLT six months and preferably longer than that ahead of launch with structural stuff pretty much already done and dusted.

Equally once they are in that zone you could anticipate field evaluation happening shortly which means we may see them popping up all over the globe later this year and certainly in 2019. If that is 2020 is the planned product launch. I found it interesting that LR commented they are in no rush for a launch date. Yet these events are normally scheduled at one of the major automobile events around the planet like; Paris, SEMA, one of the four in the USA who have "international" in their name

This thread could be a lot busier soon

Rob

Thread: Some better spy shots at last!

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