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| Olli Member Since: 15 Nov 2013 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 10   
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I know that there are numerous threads on the new Defender. This site alone has two pages worth of discussion topics. However, check out the blog at http://defender15.blogspot.nl/ which is intended to bring all thoughts together in one place and ultimately come up with what we - (prospective) users of Defender - think the new Defender should look like. The idea is to come up with a concrete design proposal, one that will definiely do away with the sour aftertaste of DC 100. I have just set some ground rules for myself and will start sketching soon. I would appreciate all constructive criticism and thoughts. Feel free to send in your sketches too if you wish to share. You can comment on the blogsite or on this thread. Let's show JLR what we want.
Best, Olli |
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15th Nov 2013 9:46pm |
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| 22900013A Member Since: 23 Dec 2010 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 3140  
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Very interesting. I can't say I agree about the offset numberplate being a keeper (a full width rear door is about 50 years overdue) but round headlights are an absolute keeper...
Will keep an eye on the blog.  2011 110 USW
1973 Series III 1-Ton 1972 Series III 1-Ton Cherrypicker 1969 IIA 1-Ton 1966 IIA 88" |
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16th Nov 2013 8:57am |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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^^ me too
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16th Nov 2013 10:58am |
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| RobKeay Member Since: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Stafford Posts: 1567 
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Land Rover is a company. We can send in pictures but as a tree surgeon not really sure my engineering design skills will be wanted.
They have to make a profit I wouldn't work on your tree for free or because you love trees. Leave them to it, if it's anything like sport it will be amazing. If you don't like just keep the new one your driving now. |
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16th Nov 2013 12:06pm |
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| BigWheels Member Since: 21 Mar 2010 Location: Somerset Posts: 1405 
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Sports are SUVs. Defender must remain a UV in design.
The Iveco Massif http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iveco_Massif came closest to a Defender rival. It was more advanced in some areas, & with a bigger capacity engine. I'd buy one if I ever saw a RHD one... Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender |
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16th Nov 2013 12:55pm |
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| Cheshire110 Member Since: 26 Jul 2013 Location: Cheshire/London Posts: 2724
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Did you have to title it 'new defender - this is it'?
Somewhat misleading given it's just your blog on what you want, but some good opinions. Personally I don't think it's down to individual design features, it just needs to be recognisable and be better offroad than the last and still be utility rather than road focused. Cheers, David Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8. |
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16th Nov 2013 2:06pm |
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| BigWheels Member Since: 21 Mar 2010 Location: Somerset Posts: 1405
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Better on road. Off is fine (though a rear difflock as well as central would be cool) Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender
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16th Nov 2013 3:35pm |
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| Cheshire110 Member Since: 26 Jul 2013 Location: Cheshire/London Posts: 2724
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But if they make it better on road then it will just become another cheap 4x4.
The quirks and difficult ride is what separates us from rav4/shogun/landcruiser drivers! You don't see them waving to each other on the road or going out as a group much! Cheers, David Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8. |
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16th Nov 2013 3:46pm |
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| yobbie Member Since: 15 Nov 2010 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 711 
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I agree I really liked the Massif when it came out and looked for a dealer hoping it would be available like a Santander, I see one recently in Spain and I too would be interested in a Rhd one. |
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16th Nov 2013 4:06pm |
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| BigWheels Member Since: 21 Mar 2010 Location: Somerset Posts: 1405
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OK, my keepers;
Round lights, especially headlamps.
Series 2 onward high waistline
Externally mounted full size rear wheel
Interchangeability.
Manual window winders as an option
Boxy shape, high roof, stadium view from front seats
Coil linked suspension
Anti-stall
Metal bumpers
What to give up; 
Exposed bonnet & door hinges(!) 
1970s switchgear & security level door locks 
Those sliding side windows on station wagons
Hard plastic furnishings 
Rear bulkheads 
Improvements; Auto box or manual choice 
Petrol or diesel choice
Airbags that can be switched on or off
Built in roll/crush protection
For LWB models, sliding side doors.  Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender |
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16th Nov 2013 4:08pm |
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| Cheshire110 Member Since: 26 Jul 2013 Location: Cheshire/London Posts: 2724
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Can't beleive what I'm reading! The massif is just a defender copy built out of cheap, horrible materials! They'll rust away within a few years! At leat the defender has an ally body which helps a lot! They're horrible horrible things and they look goddam awful! Like someone at jeep tried to copy the defender without infringing on patents! Cheers, David Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8. |
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16th Nov 2013 4:18pm |
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| Cheshire110 Member Since: 26 Jul 2013 Location: Cheshire/London Posts: 2724
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Pretty much agree there, except I wouldn't really want sliding rear doors. I think a split tailgate would be awesome too! (Would it be possible to have a rear tailgate that could open either way do you think? Hmmmm... Ie like split tailgate if you want or the whole thing opens like a normal door if you want to get big things in?) Cheers, David Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8. |
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16th Nov 2013 4:25pm |
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| Olli Member Since: 15 Nov 2013 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 10
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Hi 22900013A, The idea to keep the offset number plate actually went hand in hand with the wish to have a sideways opening door as we have now ( I wanted to add that as keeper too but mucked up when uploading images) as opposed to a split tailgate as with the Range Rovers. I think a lot of us actually still get into the rear cargo area, be it on overlanding trips to sleep in the back or simply sitting in the sideways facing seats (yes, the latter will most likely not make it to the new Defender). Point being that if one still wants to take one's whole self into the cargo area, than a sideways opening door is a lot handier than a split tailgate. Having said that, my premise that an offset number plate is necessary if a sideways opening door is chosen for is incorrect, I now realize. I also realize that Disco 1 and 2 had a wider rear door with the number plate on the door while the off set plate was not due to the door hinged on the right but due to the spare wheel. Disco 3 continued the off set plate purely for looks and that might eventually be the deciding factor in the case of the new Defender as well. I also Like David Whittaker’s idea very much. Split tail gate AND full sideways opening. Food for thought. Thanks! |
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16th Nov 2013 10:46pm |
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| Olli Member Since: 15 Nov 2013 Location: Rotterdam Posts: 10
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Hi Peter, If JLR don’t care about what we say and expect us to accept whatever they throw at us, what do you think the whole DC 100 exercise was about? I do agree with you that there are a number of commercial considerations on the top end of JLR’s list – that goes without saying – but they will not be able to hit those commercial objectives if they do not make something we want. Toyota for one have some great alternatives. But I’m sure JLR would rather we walk into a Land Rover showroom. |
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16th Nov 2013 10:58pm |
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