Is Land Rover really reluctant to show a concept car because it fears it’ll be plagiarised by a bloke in a pub who decided to create his own car company? I do hope not. Pity, if so. Where’s the confidence?
Land Rover Defender to be reinvented for 2019
But I’m glad to know that it’s coming, and coming soon, and I think the platform is probably the right one. Recently, Rolls-Royce boss Torsten Müller-Ötvös said that “a Rolls-Royce Phantom is a Phantom is a Phantom”. Land Rover is custodian of a similar product, and a Defender (is a Defender is a Defender) ought to be more capable off road than any other production car in the world, and I think only the full-fat Land Rover platform can provide that. Especially given, presumably, it’ll need to be rated to tow 3.5 tonnes.
That car, though, is by its very nature expensive, which alters what the Defender will be compared with the last one. There might well be a pick-up but a monocoque is inherently less versatile, when it comes to offering different bodystyles, than a vehicle with a separate chassis from which a number of bodies can be hung.
But what else can Land Rover do? Create a bespoke platform, with separate ladder frame, to which two dozen bodystyles can fit? Not a chance. So yet another car hung from the versatile, but already pretty busy, and undeniably heavy, big Land Rover platform. Other than premium, then, and great off road, I’m still not sure what the next Defender will be. Still, I suppose Land Rover does. And its rivals don’t.
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Is the Defender going to make the grade?
I don't believe that Land Rover actually knows their Defender target market. They are bringing the new Defender in at prices that the majority of historical Defender owners won't or can't pay for this vehicle. I live in South Africa and have owned 3 Defenders over a 26 year period. The attraction to the Defender was the "go anywhere" factor and I have been all over the African continent in these vehicles. I didn't want a vehicle that cost the same (or more) as a Land Cruiser 200 or Mercedes double cab. There is a small group of enthusiasts who will pay ridiculous prices for collector quality vehicles but most of us want to add a long range tank, roof rack with tent and head off on what few adventures are left in today's world.
JLR has sold out
Einarbb is dead right. Flabby, predictable and heavy. Why not develop a 2020 replacement for Spen King’s 1970 classic Range Rover. Keep it under 1500kg and basic rather than another over-styled toy for the rich. A British/Indian Suzuki SJ 410 would be ideal. Margins eh......?
Defender / Tata Motors
JLR could have co-developed the new Defender with parent Tata Motors, they make various traditional 4x4s (on separate steel chassis, live axles etc). That would have spead development costs over larger volumes & given both entities a chance of gaining new customers accross multi markets.
If JLR make another luxury / hi tech car instead of a true Defender replacemment, Jeep & Toyota will be very happy.