LR NUT wrote:

IDL wrote:

Short wheelbase RRS. Could just as easily be a mule for a new Evoque?

Looking again, they seem to have reduced the front and rear overhangs compared with the RRS

Also note the ground clearance

Just a test mule testing the underpinnings. LR are keeping the final product tightly under wraps until LRs 70th birthday.

This is the Evoque 2

Click image to enlarge

j77 wrote:

Click image to enlarge

To be fair, a lot of the off road fraternity (some big names too) have been spending thousands developing off road Defender based racing vehicles using independent suspension in recent years............beam axles seem to be falling by the wayside.

I hear what you’re saying but, while a beam axle may be horrible for ride and handling, it is cheap, extremely robust, easily fixed (if it ever goes wrong) with relatively simple tools and no specialist training. Great for dirty work and repairs mikes away from fancy Land Rover dealer’s workshops; there’s a good reason why many of the shiny, modern looking, 4x4 pickups from Asia have mechanicals from the dark ages!

But this view from underneath seems to be the final proof that LR have no interest in that market any longer. It’s not really a surprise, but I suspect that the Defender will be a funky, life style, leisure vehicle, for people who’d probably like to take their friends to a beach for a bar-b-que and a spot of surfing at the weekend! Think of a modern and much batter take on a 3 door Freemader 1.

Bugging me all-night this... What does that shape resemble from way back ??? seen very similar somewhere.
Also anyone know why they paint them like that? If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

If that is being touted as mule test rig for the new Defender I can't see it myself as the rear suspension in the picture looks closer to the road than a FL2.

Jag has now the Epace (yet to see one) so LR will be getting a version will they not. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

E Pace is on the same platform as RR Evoque and Discovery Sport so effectively Jaguar are getting what LR already has.

I have seen several references to the fact that this will not be on a shortened Discovery platform, but may have it's own separate chassis, with attached body, both in aluminium. This was said to give extra strength, and the ability to easily build variants on a couple of wheelbases.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2017/12...works.html

(sorry I can't find the article I read last week) FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

my moles tell me the New Defender will be priced at an average of £53K.

I think farmers can and will afford it .

.

The ones that need a good 4WD, being upland hill farmers don't have that sort of money to throw at a working vehicle from my experience.

Lowland cereal farmers mostly have the cash to splash but most of the time they have no serious use for a serious 4WD vehicle.

If the average price for a new Defender is circa 50K utility companies, armed forces etc will not be queuing up for them and neither will I. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

I can't see why any farmer/builder/tree surgeon type would go for a Defender any more. Not when you can get a new Hilux, or an L200 for around £25k, tough as old boots and all the toys plus a decent load capacity and 5 yr warranty. I just can't see LR getting back into that market. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

This is the Autoexpress article that says it will have a separate chassis.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/land-rover/de...e-pictures

To tell you the truth I do not understand why.

On looking at the pictures again, I am amused to see the man in the background is so absorbed in his phone that he doesn't notice the rather garish patterned landrover go past.
A missed photo opportunity, although I suppose it was camouflaged. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)

Unfortunately, that bit is prefixed with “is likely to have”, which is AutoExpress speak for “we’ve made this bit up”.

A surprisingly believable article from AE, with lots of seemingly genuine quotes (with actual names, not made up stuff from “factory insiders”), but they couldn’t resist wandering off the evidence for a while!

Yorkie Bob, Agree there cannot see me throwing some in the back of a 53k truck  If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.