2016 'Defender'

[MrLandy]

Not sure where to post this...perhaps it's a new category?
...'End of production' in the Defenders case also means a new model...

Speculation about new names etc are interesting, but the mystery deepens. Will it still be a Defender? Will it be worthy? Will it be plastic, soft, a poor copy? Or will it be absolutely awesome? And importantly, who is waiting?! Is anyone waiting for the new model 'defender' rather than securing the 'last' model?

No it's very unlikely to be the low tech reliable revelation we all dream of. And no it's unlikely to have the true character of a hand built Defender. But...what if it is the best 4wd vehicle ever made? Just a thought... The opportunity is certainly there with Toyota et al going all plastic and everyone else following and going all family dual cab... Vw pretending to make a rugged vehicle... Jeep winning high tech passenger car awards. ...Nissan capitulating to 'patrolling' shopping centre car parks.

We're sad to see the rivets go... But does anyone see the new? Just curious...

Mr Landy.

[Summiitt]

I'm just considering what to do after my 130 is likely to be written off, I have a few options.. Wait and see if a dual cab/ute is released in the new model
Get one of the last 130s available now or the way I'm leaning is to see if Mercedes can get me a G commercial ute on the back of one of the government orders.. I really hope that the new defender tries to take up the commercial market rather than the fashionable SUV market

[MrLandy]

Hey summit, yes that is a dilemma...the G wagon option sounds interesting...is a gov ute version less pricey than the 100K+ of standard model? Read an article online (sorry don't have link) about G wagons not being up to handling the Canning Stock Route! Hmm ...regardless, I'd be pretty tempted if I were you to get a new 130 now, it will hold its value, then you've got one in case the new version is not the real world commercial version we're hoping for...

[Loubrey]

Feeding the rumor mill...

The picture is of the vehicles used in the new Bond movie - SVR Rangie Sport, a prototype Jag (C-X75) and Defender with 37" tyres straight from the factory.

Now for the rumor bit... spot the absence of a diff and live axles on the Defender...?

Just a photo-shop glitch or something more sinister...

Cheers,

Lou

[Samblers]

I'm very intretested to see how LR can re-design/market the Defender for the 21st Century.

Original/current defender was a commercial/agricultural/working vehicle that had cross-appeal into the passenger market. Its off-road capabilities were to enable it to do work.

SUV's have a broad-based appeal - jack of all trades/ master of none.

It seems inevitable that LR will have to broaden the appeal of the New Defender but which crowd will end up compromised, left out, or dissapointed?

Commercial users? The military? The serious 4WD-ers? The overland expeditioners?

I hope it doesnt end up a soft-roader. But excited for the reveal ...

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The iconic Land Rover shape started in 1948, in 1957 it had a few design tweeks and in 1980 the radiator and grill moved forward. That basic shape has continued until today.

In 1991, 34 years after the design, the name "Defender" was introduced giving it a quarter century of use.

Why should the next basic, utilitarian, Land Rover model still be a Defender?

[Loubrey]

I agree, whatever "Project Icon" turns out to be it would almost certainly have a new name.

The Defender (or 90/110 predecessor) wasn't called a Series IV when it was launched and thus we have to assume the name "Defender" will only live on in history books after the end of this year.

Cheers,

Lou

[KarlB]

I'm just considering what to do after my 130 is likely to be written off, I have a few options.. Wait and see if a dual cab/ute is released in the new model
Get one of the last 130s available now or the way I'm leaning is to see if Mercedes can get me a G commercial ute on the back of one of the government orders.. I really hope that the new defender tries to take up the commercial market rather than the fashionable SUV market

Maybe you should consider an Iveco Daily 4x4. Only a little bit longer and wider than a Defender 130 but much greater load capacity. Should be more capable than a Defender in the rough stuff. Lots of info on the web including on the AuLRO Forum, but here are a couple of good place to get a quick overview: 4x4 Ute - TravelTrucks and EVA Trade.

Cheers
KarlB

[MrLandy]

Intriguing....whether it has a new name or not....it doesn't seem like many are waiting with bated breath for the new! It's definately a big call because unless there is a real design genius at Solihull, whatever its called, it will most likely become known as Tonka or Pretender. ...does anyone have any inside running on who is designing it? Any scoop beyond from UK beyond what we can google?

[ramblingboy42]

This has been questioned and talked about so much.

Official Land Rover status is....'no information about the defender replacement will be leaked to media until all design and engineering approvals are in place'.

They have been very good at this to date.

The only thing you hear is speculation from journalists trying to out do each other.

We will all know at the same time when Land Rover are ready to let us know.