New Defender reveal - views?

[LaserTam]

Before buying a D4 4 years ago, I was thinking of getting a defender, until I sat in one and realised it wasn't for me.

I watched the reveal of the new one today. On the whole, I like it, quite a lot. Its kind of a D4 replacement I think, in terms of interior comfort, tech inside and under the bonnet is clearly way more than the old defender, but the style does have a clear nod to the old defender, which is well done in my opinion - probably except for the rear quarter pillar panel thingy, whats that about?

Clearly not sat in one yet, but I could see this as a possible replacement to my D4 in a few years, depends what the 2nd hand prices are at that time, because they are starting high from new - high spec 110 is circa 78k!!

What do you say?

[Westlondondriver]

My wife has has had a D4 for 9 years and won’t change it since nothing else appeals and hates the D5. Showed her the video of the new defender yesterday and she is very interested.

[CAPP0]

There's a long multi-page thread on this running already.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[300bhp/ton]

LaserTam said:

a D4 replacement I think

Very much so IMO

D4's weren't on my radar the other year, but D3's were. Although ultimately I opted for a p38. But it could have gone either way, lack of V8 engines was the real decider.

But this new Defender in a few years time could well be a decent replacement for my Range Rover. I do wish they had called it Discovery though. It just isn't Defender enough to me and ticks different boxes to a traditional Defender.

LaserTam said:

the style does have a clear nod to the old defender

Personally I think this is really lacking. I'm not saying I don't like the styling. In fact I was a huge fan of the DC100 concept, although again not branding it as a "Defender" replacement.

This new one seems to share so little design language and ethos with the original. And apart from a few minor fussy details, seems to have nothing to hark back to it's long heritage.

Take Jeep for example, see a JL Wrangler 1/4 mile away and it is unmistakably a Jeep. You really couldn't confuse it for anything else. But you have to wait until you are much closer to fully confirm if it is a TJ, JK or JL.

This new Defender looks rather like a D5 or even an L405 RR from the head on view. It is currently new and for a few years will have that rareness wow factor, but I wonder if it'll just blend in with all the other SUV's once they are more common place. Whereas like the Wrangler, the old Defender is completely distinctive. You never ever confuse them with say a classic Range Rover or Disco 1 coming towards you on a dual carriage-way.

LaserTam said:

What do you say?

I'm curious how the coil version of the 90 will perform. And how many will be equipped with air. The D3 on coils only is nowhere near as good as an air sprung one off road. I fear the same will be true here. And that the majority of the ones I'd consider will end up on heavily compromised suspension if you plan to really take it off road.


I also think they should have rethought the naming. If it really must be badged as Defender, they should have called it a Defender 100 and a Defender 120 for the SWB and LWB retrospectively.

[Deranged Rover]

I like it and think it looks great.

However it's as much a "Defender" as the Ewok is a Range Rover.

[Wozy68]

Just watched the Hammond video ...... I like it BUT it’s not tall enough. Yes great ground clearance, wading etc but for me my Defender internal height is a right bonus .... and it does look like a Disco..... I can see Disco owners in future heading for the Defender rather than another Disco ..... and that says a lot imo how they’ve got the new Disco so wrong.

[CSK1]

Deranged Rover said:

I like it and think it looks great.

However it's as much a "Defender" as the Ewok is a Range Rover.

Don't agree with your first statement but very much agree with your second one!