RE: 2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA | UK Review
Discussion
David87 said:
It's absolutely mega, but unless you have an enormous estate on which to lark about, I think ownership might be a frustrating experience in the UK. I had a Ranger Raptor for a bit and I felt the same about that as you just couldn't get anywhere near what it was developed for.
Sort of agree - it’s obviously very capable, but over here you’d just end up absolutely ruining the paddock. Still want one, though, Its certainly cool, but for twice the price, the interior looks identical to my Defender with the leather option ticked?
I think i would want a bit more inside for that cash.
Also, im surprised by the criticism of the stock steering rack - it feels agile to me, but im comparing it to a Landcruoser which steers like the Knock Nevis, not an M5.
I think i would want a bit more inside for that cash.
Also, im surprised by the criticism of the stock steering rack - it feels agile to me, but im comparing it to a Landcruoser which steers like the Knock Nevis, not an M5.
I have a 4 cylinder petrol 110 at the moment for the family and my wife and it’s been a fantastic family vehicle. Perfectly quick enough on the road with the fam on board- though the sounds of a 2l turbo in a big car does make me cry a little on the inside. Not bought for driving dynamics though.
Also had the pleasure of driving some properly powered and pretty serious 4x4s out in the desert and mountains of the Middle East over the last 20 years including f150 raptors (V8 and turbo v6 versions) jeep wranglers in various states of modification, and currently an oddball choice of a Chinese V6 SUV that performs admirably both on and off road.
Long story short - I’d have one in a heartbeat in the Middle East where I have thousands and thousands of square miles of playground for it. Personally I wouldn’t have one for the UK and the current one is plenty wide enough on small lanes with oncoming traffic - though the extra height does help.
They will sell every single one they make as quickly as they can make them. And I’m happy they exist in the same way that I’m happy Ferraris and Lamborghinis exist (their more traditional ranges anyway!!)
Also had the pleasure of driving some properly powered and pretty serious 4x4s out in the desert and mountains of the Middle East over the last 20 years including f150 raptors (V8 and turbo v6 versions) jeep wranglers in various states of modification, and currently an oddball choice of a Chinese V6 SUV that performs admirably both on and off road.
Long story short - I’d have one in a heartbeat in the Middle East where I have thousands and thousands of square miles of playground for it. Personally I wouldn’t have one for the UK and the current one is plenty wide enough on small lanes with oncoming traffic - though the extra height does help.
They will sell every single one they make as quickly as they can make them. And I’m happy they exist in the same way that I’m happy Ferraris and Lamborghinis exist (their more traditional ranges anyway!!)
“ OCTA’s quicker steering rack – 13.7:1 vs the 17.6:1 of its base car – feels like a big leap in the right direction for the Defender as a driving device”
Is this an article for an ultimate off-roader or a track focused/inspired driving machine? Since when quicker steering is a big leap in the right direction for an off-roader, never mind the supposedly the ultimate off-roader from a company specialise in off-roaders.
It’s a bit like when writing an article for the latest Radical, somehow the author writes “this Radical’s slower steering rack feels like a big leap in the right direction…”
Does the writer even understand what the bad and good qualities an ultimate off-roader should have? An off-roader as a driving device has very deferent and often opposite qualities or characteristics to an on-road or track focused vehicle. Because they were designed to be driven on totally different types of surfaces.
There’re some very good off-road experts in this country. Please try to outsource off-road writings in the future. It’s been proven again and again your regular writers have no clues when it comes to off-road related stuff. I’m sure there’re plenty of supercars, hot hatches and track day toys for your in-house staffs to write about.
Is this an article for an ultimate off-roader or a track focused/inspired driving machine? Since when quicker steering is a big leap in the right direction for an off-roader, never mind the supposedly the ultimate off-roader from a company specialise in off-roaders.
It’s a bit like when writing an article for the latest Radical, somehow the author writes “this Radical’s slower steering rack feels like a big leap in the right direction…”
Does the writer even understand what the bad and good qualities an ultimate off-roader should have? An off-roader as a driving device has very deferent and often opposite qualities or characteristics to an on-road or track focused vehicle. Because they were designed to be driven on totally different types of surfaces.
There’re some very good off-road experts in this country. Please try to outsource off-road writings in the future. It’s been proven again and again your regular writers have no clues when it comes to off-road related stuff. I’m sure there’re plenty of supercars, hot hatches and track day toys for your in-house staffs to write about.
disco666 said:
Quite a divisive thread!
So many saying (correctly) that it's pointless would happily take a modern Ferrari, McLaren etc.
4x4's aren't my thing at all, but this would be epic fun.
Surely that's the point?
It's the height. It triggers chaps who see themselves as small and oppressed. Then place a female behind the wheel or some other type of person they're angry at and you have the perfect recipe for distress. So many saying (correctly) that it's pointless would happily take a modern Ferrari, McLaren etc.
4x4's aren't my thing at all, but this would be epic fun.
Surely that's the point?
This car is very, very clearly going to be a lot of fun to drive and once upon a time this was a car forum for car enthusiasts but it is proliferated these days with angry little dudes wanting to blame anything but themselves for not having the riches they believe they deserve.
UnfortunateUserName said:
They will sell every single one they make as quickly as they can make them. And I’m happy they exist in the same way that I’m happy Ferraris and Lamborghinis exist (their more traditional ranges anyway!!)
^^ Exactly this.Ferraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
Not my sort of car at all - too large, too heavy, and accessorised with (to me) vulgar black wheels. Its height and higher COG will adversely impact handling and feel. However, I can see its attraction in other countries where the roads are bigger. I also think it's far more attractive than the Merc G class. Well, maybe not with these wheels.
Good luck to JLR with this, but I'll never want or buy a Defender. It's just not my sort of car.
Good luck to JLR with this, but I'll never want or buy a Defender. It's just not my sort of car.
spreadsheet monkey said:
^^ Exactly this.
Ferraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
Hope this helpsFerraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ferrari-2...
theicemario said:
spreadsheet monkey said:
^^ Exactly this.
Ferraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
Hope this helpsFerraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ferrari-2...
A Defender 110 is about the same length as a 5 series BMW. What's the problem with it? Too tall?
SS427 Camaro said:
jimbim said:
Such an ugly, excessive and wasteful thing.
How has the Defender gone from loved British institution to tasteless new money school run show off mobile so horribly?
RS6 every day, please.
Exactly, just how has the Defender evolved into something like this……How has the Defender gone from loved British institution to tasteless new money school run show off mobile so horribly?
RS6 every day, please.
It's not an evolution at all. It's a key element of the brand.
1966 Bruce McWilliams who was head of Rover Motor Company NA put a V8 in the Land Rover and the silly, high performance Landie has been a solid and integral part of the brand ever since.
Nearly 60 years of V8 silliness in Land Rovers.
theicemario said:
spreadsheet monkey said:
^^ Exactly this.
Ferraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
Hope this helpsFerraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ferrari-2...
theicemario said:
spreadsheet monkey said:
^^ Exactly this.
Ferraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
Hope this helpsFerraris and Lamborghinis are daft and impractical, but people still enjoy them, either as a driver or as an onlooker. Why can't a mega-spec Defender be the same?
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ferrari-2...
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