 | Home > General & Technical (L663) > Defender demise |
 
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4722  
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A lot of us have been wondering what the Defender will be like at it's relaunch in the near future. What we regard as the essence of the vehicle will no doubt be missing. The odds are that it will not be handbuilt so probably no alloy body. Regulations will dictate that the shape will be changed and fashion will probably dictate that the seperate chassis and the beam axles will go. Take them away and there is not much of the Defender left. Maybe when the replacement arrives it should not be called "Defender". Maybe the Defender should end proudly with the last of the current incarnation that will roll of the production line. Do we want an emasculated vehicle masquerading as the tough guy on the block?Perhaps it would be best for the Defender to end proud and capable and not be subjected to the whims and fancies of bureacratic regulations that will make it a shadow of it's former self. A shadow that will no doubt be capable but will be homogenised with all the rest of the modern 4x4 brigade out there. Our Defenders are different, that is why we like them. The heritage and memories will be there and the new vehicle can appeal to a whole new audience but just not the traditional Defender audience. Unless you happen to live in India or some other country that does not believe in taking the joy and spice and soul out of motor cars, where the tradional Defender will no doubt be freely available. Anyway just a thought. 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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16th May 2011 3:14pm |
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| Sonic3d Member Since: 28 Jan 2008 Location: Ross on Wye Posts: 1505  
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Change is not to be feared
 Hopefully if it`s built by robots the build quality will be better  |
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16th May 2011 4:06pm |
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| The Boy Member Since: 28 Aug 2008 Location: East Northants Posts: 1459 
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16th May 2011 4:07pm |
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| mse Member Since: 06 Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 5038 
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Bring on the new one...time for some improvements now Mike
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16th May 2011 4:44pm |
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4722
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So "change is not to be feared"?Any of you blokes seen yourself in the mirror recently? I have and change is most definately to be FEARED!  1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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16th May 2011 5:09pm |
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| Sonic3d Member Since: 28 Jan 2008 Location: Ross on Wye Posts: 1505
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16th May 2011 5:11pm |
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| JSG Member Since: 12 Jul 2007 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2412 
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I think it is true that it will be totally different to what we know and love as the Defender, however I'd like to see the name kept if the replacement is worthy of it ....
What do I mean by that? Well if it is based on D4 or RRS platform, or any other I guess, but is more 'basic' in trim, electronics etc and is geared around function rather than bling or designer branding then it could still be a Defender. Dare I say it - but imagine a D4 with a lot less electronics, coil springs, sensible light units that didn't cost a mortgage to replace, rubber mats, 16" wheels and a decent V6 / V8 diesel lump. Could make a good truck. Or just buy one of the last proper Defenders and hang on to it. John
http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk 2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS |
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17th May 2011 10:41am |
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| Fox Member Since: 26 Aug 2010 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 72
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This is my plan, but they haven't decided when they are going to stop making them yet... |
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17th May 2011 12:50pm |
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| JSG Member Since: 12 Jul 2007 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2412
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True, I bought a May 07 Puma and sold it - the new one will need to last a while (as long as I don't buy a house again LOL ) John http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk 2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS |
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17th May 2011 1:00pm |
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| 110SEB Member Since: 29 Jan 2009 Location: Essex, England Posts: 1444 
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I agree with Paddy. To keep the name 'Defender' would require the new version to be a close equivalent. Since Defender was coined because of the close military link, and it seeming as thought the MoD won't be interested in the 2014 version, it would seem silly to keep the name.
Although we would all know that the 2014 version would be the replacement, I would like to see it renamed and for a new era to begin. The Defender era will hardly die anyway - what with the hoards of aficionados and fans around. I am thoroughly passionate about Defender, that's why we bought one. We're hanging on to ours for our children (10mths and 3yrs) to learn to drive in and enjoy perhaps a 1.3 TdCi - 150mpg 'Defender' will be on the scene by then? Perhaps we might buy one of those as well, but i'll still be a Puma Defender boy at heart. Last edited by 110SEB on 17th May 2011 10:15pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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17th May 2011 7:50pm |
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4722
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I could call myself "The New and Improved Brad Pitt", but I don't think I would fool anyone.
1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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17th May 2011 9:40pm |
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| mse Member Since: 06 Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 5038
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Defender will only evolve like the Mini has - the new mini (as much as i hate BMW) isnt anything like the original
Im not sure the defender was named and born 100% due to an MOD link, nor any of the series/90/110...or "Land Rover" etc Mike |
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17th May 2011 10:26pm |
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| 110SEB Member Since: 29 Jan 2009 Location: Essex, England Posts: 1444
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The Mini analogy is a good one I think. I can see the name staying and a similar change taking place. This is now a decade old fashion though: New Beetle, 2cv > C2, Mini > Mini, Fiat 500. Perhaps Defender is next.
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17th May 2011 10:33pm |
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| Maverick Member Since: 08 Mar 2008 Location: Inverurie! Posts: 261  
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I can't see Defender becoming a fashion icon though. IF LR get it right, of which I have almost 100% faith they will, it will still be a workhorse, and an off road toy. And hopefully, not too loaded with technology. But, even if it is, just imagine what it will be capable of! Ben
Rebuilt 1996 black/white Defender 90 300 TDi |
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17th May 2011 10:39pm |
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