Jeep Unlimited

[Electro Gremlin]

I saw an ad for one of these a couple of weeks ago, a LWB Wrangler. This may be as close to answer as we'll get for those of us looking to buy a factory-new basic 4x4 (a la the Defender) instead of that LR3 abomination that LRNA is trying to spoon feed us. Maybe a Rubicon version is in the works.

Will LRNA respond by pulling its collective head out of its @$$ to reintroduce the Defender 90 & 110 to the US (in its current configuration)? I'm not holding my breath, LRNA has never exhibited much in the way or brains or huevos in the past.

I'd prefer a new 110, I think its a better truck. But I doubt I'll ever get that opportunity from a US LR dealer. At $25K this Unlimited thing seems to be priced right as opposed to a used '93 NAS 110 for about $60K. I bet Jeep sells a BUNCH of these.

 

[LiveAtTheEdge]

the defender is all new in a couple of years so Land Rover aren't bothering with retrofitting airbags to the current defenders. Word on the street is the US will get the new defender in Late 2006, but as close as i can make out, it'll probably look a lot like the concept bronco. The CDK defender was in the works but i havn't checked up on the status of that in a while.

Cheers

Jack

 

[Electro Gremlin]

the defender is all new in a couple of years so Land Rover aren't bothering with retrofitting airbags to the current defenders. Word on the street is the US will get the new defender in Late 2006, but as close as i can make out, it'll probably look a lot like the concept bronco. The CDK defender was in the works but i havn't checked up on the status of that in a while.

Cheers

Jack

From what I've seen of this new Defender/Bronco concept, it looks like a giant step backwards for off road use. It's supposed to be built on either the Ford Escape unibody or the Exploder/Ranger chassis -- either way, these are sorry excuses for off road use compared to the existing Defender/Disco chassis.

The fact that they're planning to equip these new Defender/Broncos with nitrous oxide boosters shows that they're not even serious about off road and are gearing these things towards the high rev tuner/poseur crowd rather that serious off roaders. I've been hearing from LR dealers that "they're going to bring back the Defender" for years and nothing's happened. The funny thing is that LR tried to float the idea of an "improved" Defender with the British military and they told LR no thanks -- they wanted to keep the same specs for the future. If LR does alienate the British Army (their core off road customer) the Brits will probably go with Pinzgauer or Mercedes and tell LR to take a flying leap.


Am I going to hold my breath for the mythical 2007 Defender? I doubt it, but I'm definitely going to give the Jeep Unlimited a serious look in the here and now.

 

[Gumarcel]

the defender is all new in a couple of years so Land Rover aren't bothering with retrofitting airbags to the current defenders. Word on the street is the US will get the new defender in Late 2006, but as close as i can make out, it'll probably look a lot like the concept bronco. The CDK defender was in the works but i havn't checked up on the status of that in a while.

Cheers

Jack

If it comes back it will be a POS I bet. Ford does not give a shit about Land Rover history or anything like that, they just want to sell. And I don't think Land Rover has control of shit. anymore.

 

[discodriveradam]

Have you guys seen the Jeep Unlimited in person? I have, and I think it's ugly as sin. As far as I'm concerned, it's not an attractive alternative. But maybe with a lift it wouldn't be so bad. It's just so incorrectly proportioned with the little tires, sizable cargo area, and long wheelbase. And did I mention that cargo area window on the side? God it's out of place.

 

[rover4x4]

well it is a J**P. American Expedition vehicles (i think thats right) stretched a YJ I think it was called the Brute, it looked real good. I will find a link.

 

[discodriveradam]

Saw the Brute, it's definitely a better looking vehicle.

 

[Electro Gremlin]

I have to admit the hard top of the Jeep Unlimited looks a little funky. The soft top looks better. But what the hell, funtion over form. The Brute looks cool, but it's a pick up truck. However, I see AEV is doing the same treatment on the Unlimited. I bet it's expensive, even without the hemi conversion. Hopefully, Jeep will come out with a Rubicon version of the Unlimited to save a lot of time and money doing upgrades.