Whilst the Defender was/is much loved by the utility companies/farmers etc and is a vital part of LR DNA it didn't have the same profit margin as other models. It's likely a lot of new Defenders will be sold to people who were/are D3/D4 drivers and didn't want to go to a D5. If they don't make it an adaptable platform then they will lose all of the traditional market but I doubt they are massively concerned about that, if they were the new one would have arrived soon after the old one ended.
Why would they sell £35K utility vehicles when they have people queuing up to buy £50k Evoques and £60K Discoverys
In the early days it will be a good time to get one because there is a chance you'll get your money back if they can't keep up demand.
Farmers round me haven’t been using Defenders for a long time. That romantic notion is long gone. Its Hilux, Isuzu etc now.
The only people I see driving defenders are posers who want to look country twee and the enthusiasts.
Can’t break into it with a screwdriver: not a Land Rover.
I like the new one
I reckon the endless negativity on faceache is either people who cant afford one or who know the inflated prices of old ones are now becoming more realistic
I have the same highly biased opinionWell, it can't be any worse than the old defender.
Yes it was an excellent machine when it was first introduced, but why anyone would have one in this day and age astounds me. It's not exaggerating, to say a tractor of the same age as a defender, is a quieter, more comfortable place to spend a day. Most horrific ride quality, steering/handling, absolutely no space whatsoever for elbows, legs etc (and I'm quite a small bloke); noisy, bad on fuel, shocking ventilation, and not really any more reliable than anything else, in fact in sometimes a lot worse. I could go on...
three categories of people have them:
- country "twee" types who like the image and manage to put up with the misery of driving them
- dyed in the wool LR fans
- oldschool farmers who have never experienced anything else.
This is my highly biased opinion, and I'm sticking to it
I think it's more of what's the point of it? It's not a Defender and just another LR/RR variant which the PR folk have stuck a set of steel wheels on.
My L322 had significantly more ground clearance than my Defender - and the Defender is on slightly taller tyres than standard.I dont think that's fair, not seen another land rover that will lift 165mm on the air suspension, proper ground clearance
You missed out sad individuals who enjoy working on and maintaining (even welding) 1950's technology. What other commonly used vehicle has grease nipples... parts are often ridiculously cheap which adds to the pleasure for a Scotsman.Well, it can't be any worse than the old defender.
Yes it was an excellent machine when it was first introduced, but why anyone would have one in this day and age astounds me. It's not exaggerating, to say a tractor of the same age as a defender, is a quieter, more comfortable place to spend a day. Most horrific ride quality, steering/handling, absolutely no space whatsoever for elbows, legs etc (and I'm quite a small bloke); noisy, bad on fuel, shocking ventilation, and not really any more reliable than anything else, in fact in sometimes a lot worse. I could go on...
three categories of people have them:
- country "twee" types who like the image and manage to put up with the misery of driving them
- dyed in the wool LR fans
- oldschool farmers who have never experienced anything else.
This is my highly biased opinion, and I'm sticking to it
You missed out sad individuals who enjoy working on and maintaining (even welding) 1950's technology. What other commonly used vehicle has grease nipples... parts are often ridiculously cheap which adds to the pleasure for a Scotman.
And offroad enthusiasts - I have tried other vehicles, but am happier taking my Defender and not worrying about the odd dent or scratch or getting the carpets wet when wading.
I am over 6' 2" and find my Defender roomy and comfortable - though I learned to drive in an Austin Mini then had a Morris Minor, Morris 8 and a Metro
Just popped up in my notifications.
Haven't watched yet.
I have to admit that I like the "uitility" version! The 90?
The other one looks like some drugged up chav has styled it though.....