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Muddybigdog

Member Since: 11 Apr 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 991

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

If you could design the next generation defender?

If you had the chance to influence the next generation defender, what would you like changed?

For me:
- 4 inches to 5 inches of extra elbow room,
- 4 inches of extra head room
- Decent size window screen Discovery size would be nice
- Slick 6 speed gearbox, freebie 2 or better
- 3 diff locks, even better controllable power split by the driver, torque and drive when where you need it
- Clutch that doesn’t feel that you are kick starting a jumbo jet and lasts 100k miles minimum
- Controllable Heating that works, dare I say climate control
- Doors that fit, with sound insulation with a nice thud when you shut, and not the luton panel van type we have.
- Good sound insulation all round, cover with tactical plastic that dogs don’t slip and slide, but you can still hose
out after a day in the field
- Suspension that’s fully controllable, similar to a disco but built to last and not like the cottage cheese that half
the components that exist in the disco 4’s suspension.. Jumped ship to reliability - Mitsubishi L200
Puma 90 XS - Sold
D3 - 2.7 S x2 (both Sold)
Freelander 2 HSE - Sold
Freelander 1 - Sold
Disco 2 - Sold

1st Feb 2015 5:48pm

x-isle

Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

The one thing I always giggle at is the "no elbow room" comment.

Not many people know that this wasn't a design fault. It was done like this to place the driver with better vision over the drivers side wheel placement. It combines with the placement of the diff underneath and also leading lines on the bonnet.

All purposely designed.

For me, these things ARE the Defender, so I wouldn't change it. If they are not practical then a Defender isn't the right vehicle and something like a Disco is a better fit. Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography

Last edited by x-isle on 1st Feb 2015 5:59pm. Edited 2 times in total

1st Feb 2015 5:54pm

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6036

And voila....

Click image to enlarge

Apart from the controlable suspension...

1st Feb 2015 5:56pm

Romadog

Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Powys
Posts: 1746

I hope that with regards to diffs that they dont follow the Jap style truck route.

I drive a Ford Ranger for work and in 2wd it is ok, but the slightest slipperyness and its no go.
in 4wd high I turned at a junction and its was all over the place.
In 4wd low, ideal when towing a loaded trailer , and iyou cant turn the steering

Also what is annoying when turning out of a junction the knock as the rear axle decides that both wheels need to turn at the same speed.

Never had any of these issues with a 90 / 110.

1st Feb 2015 6:18pm

110MGD

Member Since: 17 Oct 2013
Location: Wear Valley
Posts: 153

Re: If you could design the next generation defender?

Muddybigdog wrote:
If you had the chance to influence the next generation defender, what would you like changed?

For me:
- 4 inches to 5 inches of extra elbow room,
- 4 inches of extra head room
- Decent size window screen Discovery size would be nice
- Slick 6 speed gearbox, freebie 2 or better
- 3 diff locks, even better controllable power split by the driver, torque and drive when where you need it
- Clutch that doesn’t feel that you are kick starting a jumbo jet and lasts 100k miles minimum
- Controllable Heating that works, dare I say climate control
- Doors that fit, with sound insulation with a nice thud when you shut, and not the luton panel van type we have.
- Good sound insulation all round, cover with tactical plastic that dogs don’t slip and slide, but you can still hose
out after a day in the field
- Suspension that’s fully controllable, similar to a disco but built to last and not like the cottage cheese that half
the components that exist in the disco 4’s suspension..

Largely what I'd change and do
With regards to suspension , not that bad. After owning both D3s and D4s. Yes early D3s did have air sus issues, but most were well sorted by the time the D4 came out 2001 Td5 CSW (weekend and snow mobile) Plenty of lights, M/T tyres EGR delete, roofrack, swing away wheel carrier, snorkel.
2016 E220 CDI Night Edition Estate
2014 VW UP!
2x D3 and 1x D4 GONE

1st Feb 2015 6:32pm

excossack

Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5738

1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue

Double opening rear doors/maybe RRC style tailgate so you can get a wider loads into the rear.
Better soundproofing
No leaks would be a good
Disco 4 size/shape maybe with a longer rear bed. Stripped out electronics (as a base version)
Options to be able to convert from a hard top to a pickup etc. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock

1st Feb 2015 6:46pm

SS90

Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 372

Can't even be improved upon IMO, all the little idiosyncrasies are one of the characteristics that made them so loveable and unique. It's done the job for decades, if it's not broken why fix it? Land Rover's other vehicles cater for most of the other requirements in comfort etc.

1st Feb 2015 6:47pm

Lou Sparts

Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

Well said that man

2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve

1st Feb 2015 7:01pm

GUM97

Member Since: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3555

1997 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Stornoway Grey

This...

x-isle wrote:

For me, these things ARE the Defender, so I wouldn't change it. If they are not practical then a Defender isn't the right vehicle and something like a Disco is a better fit.

And this...

SS90 wrote:
Can't even be improved upon IMO, all the little idiosyncrasies are one of the characteristics that made them so loveable and unique. It's done the job for decades, if it's not broken why fix it? Land Rover's other vehicles cater for most of the other requirements in comfort etc.

Are both spot on and well and truly brilliantly said! My sentiments exactly! An engine to TDi for!
"Land Rover- Proudly turning drivers into mechanics since 1948"

1st Feb 2015 7:09pm

LRmud

Member Since: 22 Oct 2014
Location: IV12 Highland
Posts: 198

Gotta agree ^^^^^

It's a Defender, not a Range Rover.
I'd like to see a back-to-basics approach with a new base version Defender, i.e. no electronics at all.
Like has been said - if it's not broken...... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 Defender 90
Toyota Aygo & Honda FR-V

1st Feb 2015 7:10pm

Cheshire110

Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2724

I agree. Love it how it is.

There is definitely a market for a 4x4, however which is chunky, tough, capable and CHEAP. I'm not saying Dacia cheap, but think maybe Toyota 4-Runner/fortuner, 76 series, hilux, Mitsubishi triton etc.

Land Rover have to offer something that's between the current defender and the discovery line up.

Maybe that's what the new defender will become. Maybe it will be more 'utilitarian' but at the same time more mainstream?
This is the market that toyota currently have all sewn up. Noones going to spend £40+k on a discovery to take it offroad really, and the defender (as we all know) is really an enthusiasts car. Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwardsâ€¦ Daily is a 110 V8.

1st Feb 2015 7:37pm

Lou Sparts

Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

Something like a Jimny but bigger ? 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve

1st Feb 2015 7:43pm

Cheshire110

Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2724

Haha definitely not. Something with all the capability of the defender but the size and a degree of comfort towards the discovery. Really what the discovery 1/2 were but the 3/4 have now moved further upmarket.

Look at the toyota fortuner and you'll get what I mean. Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwardsâ€¦ Daily is a 110 V8.

1st Feb 2015 7:47pm

Go Beyond

Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Posts: 6676

Fab idea for a thread

I agree with above, I'd like to see a 300 TDi version with vinyl seats, rubber flooring, Puma heater, lift off door tops, easy change between hard and soft top, locking diffs

1st Feb 2015 7:50pm

dgardel

Member Since: 30 Nov 2008
Location: Veneto (Heart & Head)
Posts: 3586

the NEW Defender MUST BE like this one

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

Discovery 5 td6 HSE Stornoway Gray Outback Engineering Limited Edition

IID Pro MV License

1st Feb 2015 8:00pm

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