Thread: The New Defender

I just can't see many people buying the Disco 5 once the Defender comes out. If you go to a showroom and see both and the pricing is similar, the only reason I can see someone going for a D5 is the bigger boot and bigger/better 6th and 7th seats. On paper it seems superior in every way except for size.

Originally Posted by scarry

Just for interest,when the next lot turn up,ask them how old they think it is.
Many would come up to the one in my sig,and say they thought it was at least 30yrs old

That's the best part in less you know the product they can't tell if it's 30 years old or 3 years old

Originally Posted by irondoc

I just can't see many people buying the Disco 5 once the Defender comes out. If you go to a showroom and see both and the pricing is similar, the only reason I can see someone going for a D5 is the bigger boot and bigger/better 6th and 7th seats. On paper it seems superior in every way except for size.

This will be interesting to watch sales numbers. I know there are people who didn’t like the D3/4 as it was seen as being too boxy and masculine and wanted something more rounded and more conservative in styling. This is the market the D5 has entered - a good replacement for the family bus - people who like the Ford Territory would love the D5.

The new defender is now filling the gap the D5 created.

I do like the new defender and can see myself getting one in the future. But...I do hate what they have done to the brand identity as it is infuriating their core supporters who have been with LR for decades and could respect what the Defender and Discovery was all about.

The new defender should have been called a Discovery - which is all about adventure and exploring. They are marketing the defender now like they did when the Discovery was first launched.

The new Discovery should have been called something else to reflect it is a real nice conservative SUV now. It is a bigger and better Freelander.

And Tata and JRL should have collaborated to come up with a proper mass produced military/rural/mining based single and dual cab Ute series called the Defender running LR tech on a traditional chassis/fixed axel configuration.

Then everyone would be happy and all market spaces filled to allow JRL to grow and increase market share.

Originally Posted by DiscoDB

This will be interesting to watch sales numbers. I know there are people who didn’t like the D3/4 as it was seen as being too boxy and masculine and wanted something more rounded and more conservative in styling. This is the market the D5 has entered - a good replacement for the family bus - people who like the Ford Territory would love the D5.

The new defender is now filling the gap the D5 created.

I do like the new defender and can see myself getting one in the future. But...I do hate what they have done to the brand identity as it is infuriating their core supporters who have been with LR for decades and could respect what the Defender and Discovery was all about.

The new defender should have been called a Discovery - which is all about adventure and exploring. They are marketing the defender now like they did when the Discovery was first launched.

The new Discovery should have been called something else to reflect it is a real nice conservative SUV now. It is a bigger and better Freelander.

And Tata and JRL should have collaborated to come up with a proper mass produced military/rural/mining based single and dual cab Ute series called the Defender running LR tech on a traditional chassis/fixed axel configuration.

Then everyone would be happy and all market spaces filled to allow JRL to grow and increase market share.

Last defender sold 5k to public 15k to fleet, it needed to change, it was profitable but wasn't selling.

That's from on record comments from JLR not opinion.

Then take into account safety, shape had to become more rounded.

Efficiency, shape needed rounding.

Modern, rounder.

At the same time they kept many iconic features and made interior/exterior/components/wiring more utilitarian than many expected.

Features, they added pretty much everything that high end Landrover builders add and more and sell for 200k + in the states and uk, comfort, safety, power, auto, air, fix inherent issues.

Imo they nailed it, sales will be pretty high maybe up to 200k per year after the 90 joins. These pics explain why they nailed it better than i could.

Im of to the dealer today to finalize order, fun fun

I’m guessing JLR expect strong demand for the 110 & 90, more than they could produce risking some delay and possibly dissatisfied customers. Adding a Ute line up would exacerbate the problem. So delaying a Ute version makes sense to me.

Hold the phone .. Blackie .. you're ordering yours now??

Originally Posted by Rob66

Hold the phone .. Blackie .. you're ordering yours now??

I had a deposit for ages.

Dealer said come in today, not 100% if order will go through today, they might not have pricing loaded up fully yet on dealer end.

How bout you?

BR you are fully invested. It's an exciting time buying a new 4wd. Enjoy the purchase and start planning the build. You have been stalwart of the brand on here and have been excited about the Defender like no other poster I have seen. So enjoy it and post up a build thread. Keen to see where it will go and what it will scramble over.

Cheers!