Thread: The New Defender

There are two differing perspectives at play here, a tale of two market sectors, which the classic Defender bridged with grace and versatility like no other.

1. 4x4 adventure touring vehicle.
2. 4x4 robust work vehicle.

There is no question Defender needed to be brought into the 21st century.

The new Defender looks like it will be an exceptional touring vehicle - this is clearly Land Rovers priority market now.

It remains to be seen whether the new Defender will also be a great robust work vehicle - a market Land Rover have largely departed.

The specs of new Defender in base form look to have the goods in terms of strength and capability, yet without a commercial, 130 or a ute version so far it is too early to say.

The new 110 is designed to compete with vehicles such as Tojo 200 / Prado and G Wagen.

The commercial version 110 is what would potentially compete with G Wagen Professional.
Only a commercial 110 or 130 ute will compete with Tojo 70 series or other dual cab utes.

Given the new 110 wagons narrowing rear design, potentially only a 130 wagon will compete with Tojo Troopie, especially in terms of loss of load space over the original Defender. ...but it’s difficult to tell by specs alone without seeing in the flesh.

I hope Land Rover do release a full commercial range of Defenders beyond 110, including a 130 wagon and ute versions. It then might have the capacity to compete in the work vehicle sector.

I think the door on the work vehicle sector is quite firmly closed now.

Even the 70 series has run its course in many industries.

Local pastoralists all have Hilux or Rangers as the wife can take it to town with the kids. Most have an old (full leaf) 70 full of rust and holes for mundane property tasks and often a plethora of old Suzuki’s for bringing the stock in. 3 of the closest now run Iveco/Canter 4x4s with all their gear in them

Times are certainly changing.

I don’t think the markets for stripped simple vehicles is anywhere near as large as some perceive. No mine can touch them unless they have all the safety gear which is a significant part of the tech and profile.

Like all new vehicles people will come along and do amazing things to them to tailor them to the needs and wants of the user. Have a look at the LR3/4s in the USA on 35” rubber all out there giving it a damn good run.

The only thing this Defender has done is skipped the 5 iterations between the last and now. If the company had the money, and saw this market as the primary we would have had 3-4 intermediate iterations just like the Discovery.

Originally Posted by manic

Not true though. Even pumas were adapted to suit roles in emergency services.

Price, capability off road, highpayload, were all good reasons to choose them . Not because it was all there was.

Isn’t that SVO? Built by factory to suit application/ready for body to go on?

Why would that potentially be any different now? Either the market is worthless (financially likely) or there’s something up JLRs sleeve. After all Tata make several military vehicles in their portfolio.

LR walked away from the Aussie military contract because it couldn’t meet the overarching requirement - they don’t build Trucks!

Originally Posted by 1nando

It's not about wastage as a result of upgrading, as used items sell in the used market.

Simple, recycling really

Except ever more burdensome legislation is doing its best to prevent that, especially in the EU and Japan. It'll come here, you watch.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Bit of a sweeping statement - I have been driving in the bush, mostly in vehicles with points ignition, for sixty years, and I can't recall a time I carried a spare set of points and condenser. Much of this time was in areas that at the time were far more remote than anywhere in Australia today.

I had an old MGB. It stranded me one night on the old Hume when the Lucas L19 points broke between the contact tip and the plastic cam follower. I always carried spares after that. It's not like they took up any room.

Originally Posted by 16PMark

I like the new Defender. I think it's grown on me. Especially in white....

Oh hang on, sorry, I think I'm in the wrong thread.

Originally Posted by stealth

Cars in Cuba are a great example of how much can be held together with bog and paint.
I looked very closely at them when I was there.

Replace Scott Morrison with Fidel Castro and I'd bet cars in Australia would follow Cuba's example before long.

Originally Posted by Tombie

.

Kodak - a global giant, was brought to its knees in 2012 for failing to embrace the future.

Particularly spectacular given they invented the digital camera and refused to make any serious attempt to produce any, as they predicted, correctly as it happens, that it would impact the film business! Kodak should be a simile for irony.