RE: 2020 Land Rover Defender - first sighting!

[Ayahuasca]

Would be a great way to launch the new Defender, although perhaps blasting through virgin rainforest is a bit naughty these days.

Maybe a trans-Australia off-road trip would be better.

[Krikkit]

Update today with a "spy"/"leaked" shot of the interior:



I think that looks pretty good, a nice mix of retro/modern etc.

[B10]

Looks like there is a middle seat unless I am mistaken.

[Mafffew]

"Leaked" is a bit of a reach I think. Looks very staged, including Richard Agnew's response claiming legal are on the way...

[Cold]

I like the informative writing on the pedals.

[MX6]

I like the look of this interior, has a modern but somewhat utilitarian appearance. I don't know much about the development of the car, but I hope it turns out to be a highly functional offroader with a modern twist, rather than a gimmicky retro styling excerise.

[warch]

MX6 said:

I like the look of this interior, has a modern but somewhat utilitarian appearance. I don't know much about the development of the car, but I hope it turns out to be a highly functional offroader with a modern twist, rather than a gimmicky retro styling excerise.

This. I'm still quite affronted by the sheer naffness of the Heritage Defender.



They should go modern and utilitarian, like a van or a tractor. Or a Unimog.

[gregd]

Any news on whether they will offer a 7 seater version?

[WarrenB]

Krikkit said:

Update today with a "spy"/"leaked" shot of the interior:



I think that looks pretty good, a nice mix of retro/modern etc.

Eww.

I'm sure all those LCD displays will take kindly to having the interior hosed out, and whatever else the interior of a hard working Defender is subjected to.

[Cold]

gregd said:

Any news on whether they will offer a 7 seater version?

Nothing definite from official sources just yet, but there are two wheelbase lengths planned along with numerous bodystyles (hard/soft tops, pickups, 3 and 5 door etc) so it would be logical for a version with extra seating to be available at some point.

[Macboy]

It's an interior styling model by the look of it so may yet be an early iteration that has been completely reworked for production.

[NomduJour]

Trying to formulate a situation where I need to take a hosepipe to the dashboard...

[yellowstreak]

Auto-box.

The update to this article has only reminded me that its going the way of the Freelander and not the Jimny. There's no use in them competing against the Ranger, Amorok, L200, Hilux etc. They will sell more of these no doubt.

[Cold]

yellowstreak said:

Auto-box.

Much better off road and for towing.

[WarrenB]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Very good point!

NomduJour said:

Trying to formulate a situation where I need to take a hosepipe to the dashboard...

When I used to help out on a farm we'd regularly swill out the back of the Defender as well as the footwells with a hose. The lack of electrics as well as vinyl seats meant there were no issues afterwards other than a slightly damp arse.

[David87]

Are they assuming the folk who buy these will be so stupid they have to write 'STOP' and 'GO' on the pedals?

Edit: that rev counter seems to suggest petrol power, no? Good.

[300bhp/ton]

Cold said:

yellowstreak said:

Auto-box.

Much better off road and for towing.

Better in some situations, but not all. And often less fun.

[GiveItSomeWellie]

warch said:

This. I'm still quite affronted by the sheer naffness of the Heritage Defender.



They should go modern and utilitarian, like a van or a tractor. Or a Unimog.

Agree on both fronts.

Can't wait to see more of the new one.

The last LR I really liked was the Discovery 4, which I remember when launched as the Discovery 3 upset nearly everyone, despite everyone now lamenting it's demise with the D5 now on sale...

It's going to be a Discovery 4-lite, but I think most people know that anyway. Anyone else is kidding themselves.

Edited by GiveItSomeWellie on Thursday 14th February 16:37

[DBSnappa]

Loving the fact that it has "stop" embossed on the brake pedal

[300bhp/ton]

NomduJour said:

Trying to formulate a situation where I need to take a hosepipe to the dashboard...

I can't think of any either. In fact considering the main wiring loom is in the dash/steering column on a Series or real Defender and the heater vents on the top of the dash, I wouldn't advise hosing down the dashboard in those either.


How modern electronics fair with doing things like this I'm not so sure though. Anyone have a Disco 3 they have used for this sort of thing? Although if your primary gauges are an iPad, it may make the vehicle quite unusable if it stops working.