If these are actually Defender mules the bodywork will not be the real Defender bodywork, it will simply be something knocked up to cover what's really on test, which is the running gear and other internals. The bodywork on those mules is just RRS hacked about to match the wheelbases.

That said, there's something odd about some of the short-wheelbase images. Strange steps in the roofline which appear to be present in some pics but absent in others. Odd effects around the vestigial rear door. Etc. Are all those pics real? I'm not so sure.

So the bodywork really tells us nothing - except that it may hint that (as we all expect anyway) the new Defender will be based on the same platform which underlies the D5, RRS and FFRR. So the only thing we can really get from these pics is that, assuming they're real, the new Defender will be available in different wheelbases. Plus, perhaps, some hints as to the rear suspension layout.

are the D5, RRS and FFRR not all the same wheelbase/chassis etc. ??? which will provide a long wheelbase (new 110) defender in whatever body configuration.

but if they are planning a short wheelbase (new 90) what floorplan can they use ? the new Ewok/E pace ??

They can still use the D5/RR platform, just in a short-wheelbase version.

Yup, the D7u platform is scalable.

Ignore the bodywork LR will only show that when they really need to.

After all this is the Evoque

Click image to enlarge

pab wrote:

They can still use the D5/RR platform, just in a short-wheelbase version.

I had no idea they could adjust the wheelbase on them........ learn something new every day

I look forward to seeing this version I hear Chicken George has put in an order.

Click image to enlarge

that's going to hold a lot of chickens.... Updated- Waiting for a Scotland v England 6 Nations home win. 24th Feb 2018
Gone-1972 88 SWB Soft top
Gone-1981 24v FFR Lightweight
Gone-2009 Freelander 2 TD4 GS manual
Gone before it bankrupted me- 2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto
2013 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto

500 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I have my winter project ......... hoping to get SGB scaffolding as a sponsor

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Autocar and Steve Cropley (both off which I trust) have the following article quoting Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-car...le-spotted

Not much more detail, but it looks like confirmation that it will use a beefed up version of the RR, RRS, Discovery chassis.

Also it looks like another year of delay. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

...... so its almost out ......... expect a Hybrid ......... its out.......

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IanMetro wrote:

Autocar and Steve Cropley (both off which I trust) have the following article quoting Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-car...le-spotted

Not much more detail, but it looks like confirmation that it will use a beefed up version of the RR, RRS, Discovery chassis.

Also it looks like another year of delay.

LR NUT wrote:

5 door mule spotted
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-car...le-spotted

I know this is a cut up body covering this but I do wonder if the 'Kink' in the roofline just behind the B-Pillar means that this is the short wheelbase 2 seat with an open cargo deck?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/cute-...ue#image=2 FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

That makes a lot of sense! If you mentally remove everything behind the pillar and above the waste to form the pick-up, it looks good! 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel