Defender replacement, what do YOU want?
Discussion
There have been a few threads about the Defender replacement and somebody suggested we start a thread with our wishlist, so here it is.
My wishlist:
Keep it simple please, ladder chassis, live axles, coil springs. No air suspension or fancy hydro Range-Rover type stuff. ABS is good but don't go overboard with TC, terrain response, hill descent etc. Just more to go wrong.
I want to still be able to wash it out with a hose!
Galvanised steel chassis and panels (no more bi-metal corrosion please.)
Get the steering wheel inboard and in line with the pedals/seat.
Keep the seating flexibility. And ISOFIX please.
Larger fuel tank(s) to extend range. Nobody expects great mpg but range is good.
Manual or Auto option. Transfer box & centre diff, rear diff lock standard. Front diff lock optional.
LR need to try and capture as many markets with one vehicle as they can (like they did with the series vehicles) and that means keeping things simple and maximising flexibility.
A light utility 4x4 can be used by farmers/forestry/utilities/emergency services and the military services. The vehicle should be easily (and therefore cheaply) modified to suit any of these applications.
Sure I'll think of many more...
ETA:
Will a ladder chassis and panel construction be feasible for future US safety regs? Or will a monocoque (sp?) unibody chassis be needed?
My wishlist:
Keep it simple please, ladder chassis, live axles, coil springs. No air suspension or fancy hydro Range-Rover type stuff. ABS is good but don't go overboard with TC, terrain response, hill descent etc. Just more to go wrong.
I want to still be able to wash it out with a hose!
Galvanised steel chassis and panels (no more bi-metal corrosion please.)
Get the steering wheel inboard and in line with the pedals/seat.
Keep the seating flexibility. And ISOFIX please.
Larger fuel tank(s) to extend range. Nobody expects great mpg but range is good.
Manual or Auto option. Transfer box & centre diff, rear diff lock standard. Front diff lock optional.
LR need to try and capture as many markets with one vehicle as they can (like they did with the series vehicles) and that means keeping things simple and maximising flexibility.
A light utility 4x4 can be used by farmers/forestry/utilities/emergency services and the military services. The vehicle should be easily (and therefore cheaply) modified to suit any of these applications.
Sure I'll think of many more...
ETA:
Will a ladder chassis and panel construction be feasible for future US safety regs? Or will a monocoque (sp?) unibody chassis be needed?
Edited by Lefty Two Drams on Monday 2nd November 11:41
Lefty Two Drams said:
My wishlist...
I think that the electronics should be available, but on the options list so that people have the choice.The steering wheel bit is pretty fundamental. My hybrid had a range rover pedal box fitted by the previous owner (I've got quite a bit more legroom than a series bulkhead but cannot fit anything larger than 265/75 tyres as they foul the edge of the box) and I relocated the seat - I'm always disappointed now with the driving position when I get in a defender.
I expect that the car will need to grow in width by about 4 inches to accomodate side impact protection and some more shoulder room - perhaps get rid of the flared wheel arches so that overall width stays the same?
Centre and rear diff lock is a good idea.
Different bolt-in bulkhead options for each purpose.
Could the construction be modular monocoque AND ladder chassis, with the 'b' pillar forward (or 'c' pillar in a 4 door) being a shell with a subframe and the rear half a traditional ladder chassis? If this is structually feasable it would make the vehicle far more refined but with the expected adaptability.
Both standard wheelbases need to be about 6 inches longer for better passenger space.
Premise - truck cab model or SWB to start with - the basic tool to take a crew to do a job somewhere remote in bad weather, perhaps a downed power line?
Starting with the most important part - crew - enough room for a large person (say 6'5" and 16 Stone) to fit in the driver's seat without being cramped. The driver should be able to drive the vehicle wearing muddy boots without risk of hitting two pedals at once (unless attempting a heel-n-toe downchange on a narrow quarry track)...the driver's twin should be able to fit in the passenger side comfortably too. A 95 percentile crew of two should be comfortable when travelling whilst wearing foul-weather gear.
There should be room in the cabin for two good-sized flasks and lunch boxes as well as stowage for items such as mobile 'phones, pens paperwork etc above the level where muddy boots will contaminate them - I guess that takes care of the seat box centre area and dash.
The standard HVAC should be adequate for temperate climate range from +35 to -15 with temperatures beyond these catered for by market-specific additions.
Powertrain should range from a basic, all-mechanical petrol or diesel engine, perhaps a 2.5 litre four-cylinder and a 4 litre V8 for "rest-of-World" spec, through to Euro 6 compliant engines for vehicles in "civilised" environments.
As for the rest of the mechanical stuff - pretty much nailed I think.
100SRV
Starting with the most important part - crew - enough room for a large person (say 6'5" and 16 Stone) to fit in the driver's seat without being cramped. The driver should be able to drive the vehicle wearing muddy boots without risk of hitting two pedals at once (unless attempting a heel-n-toe downchange on a narrow quarry track)...the driver's twin should be able to fit in the passenger side comfortably too. A 95 percentile crew of two should be comfortable when travelling whilst wearing foul-weather gear.
There should be room in the cabin for two good-sized flasks and lunch boxes as well as stowage for items such as mobile 'phones, pens paperwork etc above the level where muddy boots will contaminate them - I guess that takes care of the seat box centre area and dash.
The standard HVAC should be adequate for temperate climate range from +35 to -15 with temperatures beyond these catered for by market-specific additions.
Powertrain should range from a basic, all-mechanical petrol or diesel engine, perhaps a 2.5 litre four-cylinder and a 4 litre V8 for "rest-of-World" spec, through to Euro 6 compliant engines for vehicles in "civilised" environments.
As for the rest of the mechanical stuff - pretty much nailed I think.
100SRV
I'm hoping LR will do one as a runout model.Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff