New Defender

[FiF]

Anyone else seen what looked to me like a new Defender test car out and about yet?

Wednesday, on the A4133 about to cross the Severn at Holt Fleet, nr Ombersley. Dressed in that swirly white and black wrap they use on test mules. Corporate Range Rover style nose, nothing like the one in the images released so far. But from A pillar back very big, square with rounded corners, just like any released images. Big is what came to mind.

No pics sorry, just coming out of the farm drive, so no phone to hand was possible.

[bakerstreet]

FiF said:

Anyone else seen what looked to me like a new Defender test car out and about yet?

Wednesday, on the A4133 about to cross the Severn at Holt Fleet, nr Ombersley. Dressed in that swirly white and black wrap they use on test mules. Corporate Range Rover style nose, nothing like the one in the images released so far. But from A pillar back very big, square with rounded corners, just like any released images. Big is what came to mind.

No pics sorry, just coming out of the farm drive, so no phone to hand was possible.

If rumours are to be believed, the next defender will be based on the D4 platform, so test mules have a great disguise and can easily test on open roads in plain sight.

[100SRV]

Interesting, I live in Worcestershire too. I'll keep my eyes peeled...
I am curious whether the Bowler Bulldogs are being used as development mules. Independent suspension, similar track and wheelbase to D4

[camel_landy]

bakerstreet said:

If rumours are to be believed, the next defender will be based on the D4 platform...

Well, the D4 platform is very capable but it's old (dates back to 2004 - D3 & RRS) and very heavy.

M

[100SRV]

Maybe but no reason not to use the suspension components and powertrain as Bowler did with the Bulldog. A monocoque with a stiff perimeter frame similar to D3/4 could accommodate all the body styles of Defender and could have two wheelbases too (100", 120").

[camel_landy]

Indeed... It's certainly 'doable' and would give options for various wheelbase lengths.

M

[SantaBarbara]

Alternative to your theory, it could be MoD or one of their contractors are doing some development work or Private Venture of som sort?

[SantaBarbara]

And PS to that. MoD procurement HQ is near there isn't it.
Did you notice the reg plates?

[FiF]

SantaBarbara said:

And PS to that. MoD procurement HQ is near there isn't it.
Did you notice the reg plates?

No to both questions, sorry. Traffic prevented me from hanging a u turn and going for a closer look. Procurement is Bristol btw. This is north of Worcester, wondered if they were going to Eastnor but crossing there is a bit out of the way, on the way to Wales though.

[bakerstreet]

camel_landy said:

Indeed... It's certainly 'doable' and would give options for various wheelbase lengths.

M

and it would also support numerous body styles. Land Rover have confirmed that it will launch with muliple bodystyes.

[SantaBarbara]

The big question is what MoDUK plans to do.

Military variants of the Defender have a life expectancy of thirty years, how can they replace them?

[RedLeicester]

FiF said:

SantaBarbara said:

And PS to that. MoD procurement HQ is near there isn't it.
Did you notice the reg plates?

No to both questions, sorry. Traffic prevented me from hanging a u turn and going for a closer look. Procurement is Bristol btw. This is north of Worcester, wondered if they were going to Eastnor but crossing there is a bit out of the way, on the way to Wales though.

I assume it's a back way used to Eastnor via Ledbury or Leominster avoiding the M5 / M50. We're down beyond Holt along the 443 and over the years I've seen all the models come through here all in their swirly zebra camo - everything from the L405 RR and RRS, the Evoque and Evoque cabrio, the D5 (aaaaages ago that one, long before spy shots appeared).

Edited by RedLeicester on Tuesday 1st August 13:46

[FiF]

RedLeicester said:

FiF said:

SantaBarbara said:

And PS to that. MoD procurement HQ is near there isn't it.
Did you notice the reg plates?

No to both questions, sorry. Traffic prevented me from hanging a u turn and going for a closer look. Procurement is Bristol btw. This is north of Worcester, wondered if they were going to Eastnor but crossing there is a bit out of the way, on the way to Wales though.

I assume it's a back way used to Eastnor via Ledbury or Leominster avoiding the M5 / M50. We're down beyond Holt along the 443 and over the years I've seen all the models come through here all in their swirly zebra camo - everything from the L405 RR and RRS, the Evoque and Evoque cabrio, the D5 (aaaaages ago that one, long before spy shots appeared).

Edited by RedLeicester on Tuesday 1st August 13:46

That's interesting, forgot you were out that way. Also an ex colleague, much more into Landies than me, e.g. he's been featured in one of the LR magazines, has also had reports of one of tge new Defenders out and about.

Off topic, Red L, have you had any notices about the road closures for Birmingham Velo Cycling Sportive yet? Think they're due to close the 443 past your place and all the way across Holt Fleet through Ombersley and onto Droitwich.

[RedLeicester]

We know they're coming and we know it's happening..... via the media. No one has seen fit to inform local parish councils, let alone homeand business owners.

[SantaBarbara]

Thing is. Will it be a working vehicle for Farmers and Utility companies like BT and electricity grid maintenance, for which there is a large market. And Coastguard and RNLI for recovering Lifeboats and recovery work in the winter.

Will they be commercial vehicles and sold with VAT?

[anonymous-user]

SantaBarbara said:

The big question is what MoDUK plans to do.

Military variants of the Defender have a life expectancy of thirty years, how can they replace them?

G-wagen

[x type]

SantaBarbara said:

Thing is. Will it be a working vehicle for Farmers and Utility companies like BT and electricity grid maintenance, for which there is a large market. And Coastguard and RNLI for recovering Lifeboats and recovery work in the winter.

Will they be commercial vehicles and sold with VAT?

one option

http://www.rotec.net/rotec-installing-winches-for-...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16212470@N03/3045594...

[bakerstreet]

SantaBarbara said:

Thing is. Will it be a working vehicle for Farmers and Utility companies like BT and electricity grid maintenance, for which there is a large market. And Coastguard and RNLI for recovering Lifeboats and recovery work in the winter.

Will they be commercial vehicles and sold with VAT?

My view is there will be base versions that will suit, but having been on the Land Rover forums for years, the farmers seem to think Land Rovers revolve round them, when quite frankly Land Rover forgot them years ago and the farmers wanted comfort and a cab that didn't leak.

L200 and the Navara stepped into that void perfectly. LR MUST launch with a viable double cab to take on the upcoming Merc etc etc.

As I said before, D4 running gear means camo may not be necessery until the new body and the running gear and both ready for testing.

As far as I'm concerned this model launch is up there with the RRC and the D1. I shall be watching the live stream