Thread: Some better spy shots at last!

Originally Posted by blackrangie

Is that why the Defenders are now fetching around 100k American? Everyone wants them

There are other reasons Defenders are worth big money over there,the main reason being their rarity.

It is the other models that didn't have much of a reputation,as the Defender hasn't been availably their new for a long time.

Originally Posted by scarry

There are other reasons Defenders are worth big money over there,the main reason being their rarity.

It is the other models that didn't have much of a reputation,as the Defender hasn't been availably their new for a long time.

So its not Land Rover and not defenders, its Discovery's or Range Rovers and what years? All of them?
Range Rovers are extremely popular in the States..that leaves the discos??
Discos are all pretty good..hmm

Originally Posted by garrycol

You are joking aren't you? Surely you mean the D3 with air suspension - the coiler as standard is a bit of a dud - evidenced by the need to get it lifted to be competent offroad.

Not joking its a great tourer platform

From what has been available to date I only see it as a Discovery (insert build iteration number here) with a Defender badge to help boost sales.

I hope I'm wrong and the Defender name is not misappropriated to boost sales on a vehicle type previous Defender buyers would have walked straight past.
At least if I'm right the missus will get new wheels because the 2nd hand market will be inundated with 2017/2018/2019 Disco's..... Disco's do make great shopping trolleys!

Clearly not a disco body, lines are completely different.

Originally Posted by Fubar

From what has been available to date I only see it as a Discovery (insert build iteration number here) with a Defender badge to help boost sales.

I hope I'm wrong and the Defender name is not misappropriated to boost sales on a vehicle type previous Defender buyers would have walked straight past.:

What is the general consensus on “what makes a Defender” for this model to be successful.
The pics / assumptions / observations on this new LR model are all pointing to:
IFS / IRS
EAS most likely.
Traction control
Aluminium chassis construction
Improved safety

It is also looking, in terms of general shape, as a D4/D5 should’ve been.

So what parts of a D4 will Defender buyers walk past or accept on this new model?

Originally Posted by SimmAus

What is the general consensus on “what makes a Defender” for this model to be successful.
The pics / assumptions / observations on this new LR model are all pointing to:
IFS / IRS
EAS most likely.
Traction control
Aluminium chassis construction
Improved safety

It is also looking, in terms of general shape, as a D4/D5 should’ve been.

So what parts of a D4 will Defender buyers walk past or accept on this new model?

A Defender needs to be Rugged, Utilitarian and an Adaptable platform that allows a multitude of configurations.

So what parts of a D4 will Defender buyers walk past or accept on this new model?

Think LC200 vs the Troop Carrier, that kind of a gap....I may be pessimistic, but I envisage a new 'Defender' that is a Disco with vinyl floor matting. Ie a poverty pack Disco.

The world really doesn't need another luxury wagon, chocked full of features that become failure points for, in the literal sense, forward advance.


IFS / IRS - Sure, just interested to see how that works with a ute configuration.
EAS most likely - Guaranteed the first thing the aftermarket industry steps up to resolve. Rip it out - Coils or 'dumb' air bags please.
Traction control - Just no...God no, let people who know how to drive actually drive the bloody things. Last thing I want is TC fighting me when I want to do something it is not programmed to understand. Make it an option.
Aluminium chassis construction - Sounds good, going to be a pain when you want to modify something though. Defender owners do like to modify things.
Improved safety - No problem with that at all. I've done things to mine to make it safer.

Just give me a basic, overbuilt, safe platform with only as much electronics as is required to pass the current crop of ADR's. I want best in class towing, load carrying and longevity....and keep all the other crap as options, they just eat into my GVM, wallet and humour.