2003 Discovery

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post   Closed: New threads not accepted on this page

Author Message   Alyssa Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 12:00 am:    I just got some real confirmation of the changes for the 2003 models. Black and Alpaca Beige (currently available on the Freelander) are the only interior choices, either color available in Duragrain or Leather. All carpets will be black. The 4.6 engine will be standard (with 217 hp, due to the single exhaust). The NEW 2003 Range Rover headlights make an appearance on the Discovery, and reverse and turn signal lenses switch places in the rear (which makes much more sense). There may be a change in the roof rack, but that hasn't been approved yet. Models will be the S (equivalent to this year's SD), the SE, and the HSE (adding standard SLS and Harmon Kardon, possibly optional DVD), unifying the marque's model lineups. The S and HSE models will get new wheels (the 18" HSE wheel is currently on Westminster Discoverys). The S will have a flat-spoke 16" wheel. The color choices on the S model have been seriously limited (no more white gold, java black, or alveston red). Prices will most likely rise on all models, but no decisions have been made. Production will begin in late June, with availability in July. Just thought you all would like to know.   Michael Noe (Noee) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 08:33 am:    bugger.....I wouldn't mind that engine. I noticed you say nothing about CDL...?   gil Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 11:16 am:    Alyssa.. is anyone from your store going to Santa Barbara? That should be a yee haw good time!   Matt M Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 11:41 am:    Is anyone else concerned about the apparent 'up market' move of the Disco (again) ? Don't know how you guys in the US see it, but here in the UK, it's seen more as an 'every day' Defender, rather than a Range Rover alternative - perhaps with the exception of the very top of the range Disco models. LR definitely seem to be moving it closer to the existing Range Rover terriroty. Having said that, the RR itself is trying to move up market too - with the likes of BWM / Mercs etc. Will we be raving about the 'Series III' Disco in 10 years time as much as we are the Series 1 now ? Matt.   Norm Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 12:24 pm:    Alyssa -- Do you have any info on when the Defender 90 and/or 110 will be brought back to the US? What engine/transmission combinations will be available? Thanks, Norm   Alyssa Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 02:28 pm:    Norm, Nothing solid, nothing confirmed. No one seems to have any distinct answers about the Defender. All I ever hear is that it will very much unlike the Defender we know.   Roverine Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 03:43 pm:    read some hear-say they were test driving a prototype of the Defender not too long ago at the Irvine (CA) facility. Hmmmmmm, I'm going to be driving right by there in a few minutes ... I need to go snoop around ... Kim   Mitch Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 04:58 pm:    I received a copy of the latest Land Rover Journal that made a brief reference to the US market and the Defender model. In the letters to the editor section, the perennial question was asked... "When is the Defender coming back to North America?" The editor responded by saying "We maintain future product information in the strictest secrecy. However, I can tell you that the next generation Defender is being designed with an eye on the North American market." It is an oblique response at best. I've heard rumours of a new Defender expected in 2005. By the time it makes it across the pond we'll all be a decade older... don't hold your breath.   Andrew Maier (White96disco) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 05:01 pm:    I have a picture I received via email of the 2005 Defender. It's not here (I'm at work), but I'll try to post it when I get home tonight... Andy   Jeff Anderson (Groovydude) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 05:27 pm:    Yea I heard rumor from a dealer that the defender maybe back around 2005. Nothing 100% but thats what hes heard. I also agree the new look of the Disco III sucks ass. It looks like a ritzy Yuppie ride. They can keep there 4.6 and CDL if thats what its gonna look like..i`m glad I got mine now when I did.   Andrew Maier (White96disco) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 05:29 pm:    All right, I'm trying to upload remotely here, so have patience... Andy   Andrew Maier (White96disco) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 05:34 pm:    Anyone speak French? ;)   KJ Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 05:40 pm:    Oh ick, I don't love it. From the front it reminds me of a Liberty, and from behind an Exploder. Sure doesn't scream safari to me.... Karen   Alyssa Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 05:47 pm:    Oh my word that is hideous. They weren't kidding when they said it won't be like the defender we know!   Jeff Anderson (Groovydude) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:05 pm:    I`d rather lick my dogs ass than be caught driveing that POS looking Rover. WTF where they thinking???   Dave Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:10 pm:    That "new defender" thing looks absolutely hideous... What's up with Land Rover these days?? What the hell are they thinking??? First a disco with no CDL. Then a 2003 Range Rover with independant front suspension. Now and 2005 Suburu/Liberty/Explorer hybrid defender.... They came out with the Freelander, it's less capable, but did fit a void in the LR product line up... From there it looks like some dumb ass in marketing management needs a swift kick in the nuts. I guess I'll hold on to my D1 for a long time to come. D   Leif R. (Leif) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:11 pm:    The 2003 Disco is still a series II (or IIa). The series III will have more significant changes.   Robbie Donaldson (Robbie) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:11 pm:    hey, hey, shhhhhh. let's encourage that thing, so that all the wanna-be's out there run out and buy it and let their old D-90's go.... Man, that is one sweeeet ride! Robbie   my96disco (Trevorh) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:15 pm:    The head designer at Landrover is definitely trying to create a landrover to go with his hair style.... I can't believe what I am seeing. If this is the future, give me the past!   DaveB Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:19 pm:    I really like my Series 1 Discovery, but I know it wont last forever. At this rate, it sure doesn't look like I can look forward to a new Land Rover in the future. I suppose I'm going to start saving for a G-wagon now. Dave   charlie Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:39 pm:    Though defender has been the British military transport. Now, imagine this thing dress in camouflage..... the back look like a pickup with "LEER" cap on. ---Charlie   Dave_Lucas (Dave_Lucas) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 06:49 pm:    The worst part of that Defender Pic is the top looks like it cannot be removed. Not to mention that it looks like a Suzuki Samurai from the front and a Cherokee from the back I guess I will never get a Defender now : (   Michael Noe (Noee) Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 07:31 pm:    It may be time to face the fact that the D1 one is the last of what appears to be now, a dead breed -- a simple, reliable truck that performs very well off-road and okay on. With simple, minor enhancements, it becomes a great off-road vehicle while still maintaining it's on-road manners. The question these guys are asking themselves is "where is the market?" Who cares, who will buy a vehicle like the D1? Of course there will always be a few, but these guys see $$$$ in the expanding market of prestige, image and refinement while pointing to the traditions of the past to lure the discriminating buyer (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). I guess we'll wait and see, but two things it says to me: 1. they're leaving a whole in the market and 2. someone is going to recognize this and fill it.   Norm Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 09:24 pm:    Yuck!!! It looks like that crappy Izusu POS I've been seeing on TV -- what are they going to add off road "improvements" like independent suspension, unibody construction and no diff lock? Count me out. If Land Rover has any brains at all, they'll keep at least one vehicle in the line truly off-road capable -- but I'm not holding my breath. I guess I'll be holding on to my '95 Discovery for a long, long time. On the bright side, by 2005 it'll be worth $30,000. ---Normorsch2   Roverine Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 10:10 pm:    Michael: "I guess we'll wait and see, but two things it says to me: 1. they're leaving a whole in the market and 2. someone is going to recognize this and fill it." Yeah, I agree. They appear to be "throwing the baby out with the bath water". Had a chat with a LRNA rep about that - He had just come from the Jaguar division. Kim   Ross Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 12:06 am:    If that is the new D90 then I better keep my D90 forever. Oh well... Ross 97 Disco LSE 94 D90 ST   Roverine Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 12:30 am:    I guess my thinking is: If I had a D90 (especially an older one) I would keep it, pamper it, play with it, and teasure it. ... This from me, the mechanical retard Kim P.S. My thinking also holds true for the old Discos/RR's/Land Rovers. (Maybe I can get an electrical engineering degree for the new???)   Ron Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 12:43 am:    Land rover reached its design peak in 1959. It has been all down hill from there Ron   Roverine Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 01:23 am:    Damn, Ron, I guess I'm just gonna have to hang myself ... Kim "dang me, dang me, ought to take a rope and hang me, ... hang me from the highest tree ....." OK, someone finish this ...   Matt M Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 05:18 am:    I think I speak for everyone when I say Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuukh !!! Is that really a final design of the Defender, or are LR just taking the p!ss out of the Japanese cr*p ? Please tell me it's the latter. I come from a mainly agricultural area, the farmers around here drive almost exclusively Defenders - no way can I see them buying that. Not to mention (as someone has already pointed out) the military. Our 'enemies' would just fall about laughing it they saw that come over the horizon ! Matt.   Zinhead Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 08:16 am:    That thing reminds me of a Suzuki Samurai. Unfortunately, with independent suspension, the Samurai will probably do better off-road. I'm buying another solid axle Disco while they still make em.   Andrew Maier (White96disco) Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 09:29 am:    There was also mention somewhere out there of a new model called the "Landy" -- can anyone tell me where I heard this? It was supposed to hearken back to the "simple days" of Series IIA or something if I recall correctly...   TCarr Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 10:05 am:    Andrew, do you have an enlargement, or the source? It looks, from that photo, to be all IRS. And the top may be removable...at least from the front...   Andrew Maier (White96disco) Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 10:46 am:    Dunno the source (cannot speak French), and the original as sent to me was too big to post here... Email me off-list.   Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 11:07 am:    Leif, don't you DARE soil the heritage of my Series truck buy calling the 2003 Discovery a "IIA"! It's bad enough that the current Disco's are Series II's! Thems fighting words!!!!!! ;-) As for the 2005 Defender, heres is a larger pic and the translation of the text: http://perso.respublica.fr/thebest4x4far/def2005.jpg ADVERTISEMENT Translation of text (credit goes to Alex Cooper in Northern CA): Future Land Rover: What a look! Appearing for the first time in 1948 the 4x4 Defender is the emblematic model of the Land Rover brand. Since the purchase of the English manufacturer from BMW by Ford during 2000, there is more than ever the question of assuring it a descendant. The pictures here give you an idea of what the new 2005 model could look like. First observation, its style has little in common with existing models. Just as with the New Range Rover, which is due to go on sale in March, it could adopt a futuristic design. It should still keep its uniqueness, in particular aluminum body panels. Ideal for reducing weight - one of the great benefits of modern cars - and resisting ?something?. An important point since, unlike current fashion which consists of making pretty 4x4s, the Defender of the third millenium conserves its character as an off-roader. At the same time conservative and innovative, it will also benefit from a new range of engines. Does the bumped hood announce the arrival of 6- or even 8-cylinder engines? It is still too early to tell. Whatever the case, there should be some changes in the engines. Something to follow. Replacement for the current Defender Completely new bodywork and monocoque design One imagines this future Land Rover concept in the next Star Wars movie. What a look! New gas and diesel engines should be in store. High ground clearance indicates good off-road capability The body panels should be aluminum. Its style evolves in depth but it remains a serious vehicle.   BigJoeJack Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 11:16 am:    Alyssa When you say production in June with delivery in July, are you talking about this summer, as in a couple months? I think the HID headlights are a great improvement and are probably worth a bit of a price increasement.   Kyle Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 11:29 am:    I saw no answers on the CDL. Was that ignored on purpose ? Kyle   Erik Olson (Jon) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 11:46 am:    It looks like Ford has successfully created this vehicle twenty years later with slightly better off-road capacity about for about $30K more... The new Land Rovers make me sick. First came the Disco II on 18" street slicks and no CDL along with the Freelander, then Range Rover's uni-body independent suspension caa and now the Defender-killer. That thing really looks like ***t. No kidding, total ***t. The best part is, I'll still have a Disco 1 and feel like I have a Series truck once those ***tboxes hit the street in two years! Ah, well - now I'll have to replace my 95 D1 with a 99 D1. They should be selling for less than $10K by the time the Defender [sic] hits the market. God Save Land Rover   Erik Olson (Jon) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 11:49 am:    I'll try the picture again...   Erik Olson (Jon) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 11:53 am:    one last time...   Alyssa Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 03:30 pm:    Kyle, I just haven't been online in a while...it was a very busy Saturday. There is no mention whatsoever of CDL on the new Discovery. From what I've learned at LRU, I am a little doubtful that they will add the CDL back. Of course, all of us D-webbers aren't afraid of that lever, but unfortunately, most soccer moms are. However, the latest memo says there are over 70 changes. (One of which is park-distance control). So who knows? As for delivery in a couple of months, yes, that's what I meant. Our last order call for 2002 Discoverys is on Tuesday. After that, it's onto configuring the 2003s.   niall forbes (Forbesn) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 03:43 pm:    I've mentioned this on the D90 list. LR is following the market. That is, they're creating minivans that look like trucks - the SUV. The thing is, what happens when the SUV craze dies? Then LR will be a company who's whole product line is out of style and which has no functional value. If they abandon utilitarian vehicles all together, then Land Rover will die along with the all-wheel drive minivan craze. Sad. Niall Forbes 66 IIa 88 -The Red Zit <--For Sale http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/forbes/forsale.htm   Kyle Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 09:22 pm:    Damn , so thats the end of the Disco.....damn..... Kyle   chris browne Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 09:31 pm:    Jeff: can't seem to get your link to work Can you check it out Thanks   Jeff Anderson (Groovydude) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 09:37 pm:    I know I don`t own a D1 (I hope to one day) but atleast I got into new D2 before the big change. sucks I don`t have a CDL lever but I can live with that(havent looked to see if I can add one yet). Guess we all need to start saveing for a G-Wagon or maybe LR will get there heads out there dogs asses and smell the coffe!!   J Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 10:30 pm:    That Defender is HIDEOUS! Rover is digging its own grave, though I doubt it matters because Ford bought them for their name more than anything.   Jeremy Katka (Jkatka) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 10:39 pm:    What I am wondering is what will happen to their military sales after they change the Defender, and how bout all those poor UK farmers that have come to depend on the D90-130 for true work trucks. Intresting to see what will happen. JK   Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2002 - 10:55 pm:    Chris, it's the same pic as in Andrew Maier's post only larger. If you can't click on it, try cutting and pasting. That worked for me. Don't know why it won't work now. Maybe the link is powered by Lucas...   Sean Butler-Lee Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 04:22 pm:    Ladies and gents, take a look at that picture. If you believe that's from anywhere near LR, you're obviously very foolish. It's a hash-up made by that magazine to be sure. Look at the grate-thing where the airdam is. That's ripped straight off a Cherokee. The lights are off a leaked shot of the DSIIa hot-weather testing in Aus with some trial lights on. The wheels are Freelander, the back lights are new Range Rover... the list goes on. That ain't real.   jmon Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 04:33 pm:    lets hope its not real!...or else it could be the end of a beautiful thing..   Sean Butler-Lee Posted on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 04:40 pm:    Nah, it isn't real. Land Rover know 100% what the target market for the Defender is. Farmers wouldn't want that thing, and nor would the military, so it'd be useless to them. The Disco II isn't an off-road car, so quit whinging about the 18" wheels and lack of CDL. Both things can be rectified quite easily. The Freelander is a good car. Without it, there'd be no Defenders, or Discos, or RaRos. Think about that... The new Range Rover is the most capable Land Rover off-road, period. If it can outdo a Defender on mud tyres when it was on road tyres, it has to be pretty good. There's no question of it, indepedent suspension is far better than beam axles. No low-hanging diff, better articulation, better road handling, and so on.   Norm Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 03:42 am:    I don't buy it -- at the local dealer they had a Freelander turned over on it's side to show off all the "improvements." It looked pretty anemic for off-road use (kind of like a 4x4 Honda Civic), but, hey, you can do major chassis modifications with a good can opener. It does look like it might possibly float if you caulk it well and clamp an outboard motor to the rear end. If this is what's in store for the RR and the Defender (gasp), the I'm not buying it. Are you an Land Rover salesman or what? ---Norm   Sean Butler-Lee (Seanblee) Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 03:57 pm:    No, I'm not. I'm just someone who, unlike a lot of people around, doesn't mind keeping up with the times. People seem to have decided that ETC, independent suspension, monocoque structure and so on, are all bad things. The people who think this are mostly those who haven't even experienced the systems they talk down so badly. As I said, there's no way that's the new Defender. Our Army wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, and they're amongst Land Rover's biggest clients for the Defender. The new Defender may well get independent suspension and a monocoque structure, and it's about time it did. We're in the 21st century. The Freelander isn't supposed to be the be-all and end-all off-roader. It's designed for people who'd otherwise buy a RAV4, Vitara or Maverick. These aren't people who off-road, they're people who do the school run. You're comparing apples to oranges.   Leif R. (Leif) Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 07:12 pm:    Possible good news that British Pacific is reporting: The Jungle Drums... New NAS D90's On The Way? Could be. Reports of new D90's spotted at Ford's Premiere Auto Group headquarters/LR training school out here in Irvine are confirmed. Apparently a new airbag equipped version of the traditional D90 is being tested for US sales, and is it about time! No details yet, and the dealerships don't know about it, but it's been confirmed by UK suppliers that Ford is thinking about it. The guess is that these will be Disco II 4.6 V8's now that Range Rover isn't using them anymore, and it simplifies the emissions certification process. No word if they will be ragtops, SW's, or if any 110's will be in the mix. Hey Ford, how 'bout some 130 Hi-Cap Crew Cabs? The photo above is of the first series of NAS D90's, but if we can get a spy shot we will, watch this space... but again, we're talking about traditional models, not the new unit bodied replacement. Get 'em while they're last...   Off Road Disco Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:23 pm:    If they bring the D90 in it's current form I'm on my way to the dealer. I will still keep my DiscoII (with CDL installed) until the wheels fall off but I want the D90 with the full floating axles. They can keep the Rangie and any other lame vehicle like it.   Sean Butler-Lee (Seanblee) Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 06:28 am:    That's the way! You keep up that attitude and drive Land Rover into bankruptcy! Way to go!   Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 08:58 am:    Sean, you're a lemming. Why should we support and follow LR off what some perceive as a cliff? The company that built it self on rugged reliable utilitarian vehicles, has left that heritage to find the money tree of the US market with it's plush interiors, smooth ride, and big motors. These moves will distance themselves from more traditional customers and will take them out many non-US markets. If they want to go there, they can go there alone. It's called a free market. That means you don't have to pay for or support things you don't like. You should try it sometime.   Ho Chung (Ho) Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 11:53 am:    oh yeah, i "support" the company with my cash, so that the "community" can stay alive. and do "extreme" things. LOL just wanted to use those words. LOL   deepthroat Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 12:19 pm:    for the north american market the 03 Discovery Series II will have as standard CDL, it will be an option on all other markets. deep throat   SirRobin Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 12:48 pm:    FYI: http://www.new2003discovery.com/ thought you all would find this link interesting... soccer moms everywhere are growing moist... finally a disco worth lowering and fitting with very large subwoofers... I'm glad LR has decided not to ignore the rap-star market, there are only so many Lincoln Navigators and Cadillace Escalades that can be produced in a given year. BTW; yes, I have "issues".   Off Road Disco Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 03:39 pm:    ROFL... I thought they would understand that if people wanted a non-offroad capable vehicle they would get one of the many available that are more reliable. Rover built itself catering to the niche market of go anywhere vehicles. Now it's catering to go anywhere there is a good sale vehicles. BTW, if they're working on a current Defender with airbags for the US market wont the font bumper be different?   Jason Wagner (Wagnerjc) Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 08:47 pm:    As a newbie to the LR Disco world I have a few questions to pose. Based on the little info known on the 2003 Disco how do we all seem to know that it is not suited for Off-road use? How do we know that the mods that cater to the soccer-moms will decrease its ability to take us on the trail. Everyone seems to assume that the flashy ads (intended for the urban market-place) mean this Disco can no longer operate in the back country. I for one look forward to a larger engine. Please give me some data or opinions to back this up. I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but just want to make a smart purchase when the time arrives. I want an off-road ready vehicle (with few mods)(and yes I intend to punish it to some extent) that can handle itself for 90% of what I do (drive to and from work). I can't afford 2 vehicles so need one to do it all including carrying around my 3 kids and their friends on occaision. Thanks. This is a great forum! Jason Wagner   Zinhead Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 09:11 pm:    I don't know why people are whining about the 2003 Disco. It is essentially a Series II with some refinements. If they bring back the CDL and cut down the front air dam like it seems they have, the 2003 should be better off road than the 2002's. As for the new front end, if it has HID's and a better approach angle, it is an improvement. Now, the 2006 Disco with independent suspension has me worried...   Off Road Disco Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 09:20 pm:    Jason, I own a 1999 Disco II since new. I can say that it's a good vehicle for "most" of what I like to do but I want more. A move Land Rover made with the 1999 Disco II that really crippled the vehicle was remove the CDL and replaced its' function with ETC. I can say from experience that the ETC can't replace the CDL. But with the 1999-mid2001 Disco II's you could easily install the linkage for a CDL. The combo of CDL with ETC is excellent and I can't understand why Rover didn't offer the Disco II with both from day one. Now it looks like the 2003 will offer CDL and that's a good thing. The other problems with DiscoII as I see it is with the poor approach and departure angles. The front plastic is bound to get destroyed but adding a front bull bar like the ARB will offer "some" protection. The only real option for the rear is $G's rear bumper but with that large overhang you still drag the rear over stuff. The DiscoII also did away with the full floating axles and I am now in the same boat as most other Jeepers on the trail when an axle breaks. There is alot to be said for simplicity in the older full floating axles. You can repair an axle in a matter of minutes with minimal tools even for someone with little mechanical experience like myself. With the Disco II you have to start with a single bolt that is torqued to 360 ft/lb's. Try taking off that nut in the field. My Disco II will get into and out of more places than most Disco I's or 98% of the SUV's on the road today but that's not to say that it couldn't be better by making it simpler. Land Rover over the years has been moving to a more main stream market while forgetting what got them where they are today. They are starting to compete with SUV's that offer much more. Most of us feel that LR should stick with what it knows and just improve the reliability not the saleability. That will take care of itself. Leave the volume sales to Ford. Just imaging if BMW who makes wonderful sport sedans tried to make economy cars or trucks? Oh wait... okay... how about if Oldsmobile tried to make a Ferrari like sports car?   Jason Wagner (Wagnerjc) Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 09:58 pm:    Thanks for the feedback above. Here's another question. How do you guys and gals get info on models as far out as 2006? Jason   OffRoadDisco Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 11:01 pm:    You really can't. 3 Years out it's pure speculation.   Zinhead Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 09:11 am:    If you keep up with the industry trade journals, its not speculation. When Ford took over LR, they killed the inhouse Disco/Defender replacement that was going to be unibody with solid axles. The next Disco will be built off the Explorer platform with independent suspension all around. It takes years to design these vehicles, and LR's low volume does not warrent a separate chassis from a cost perspective.   Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 01:12 pm:    fucking A I dont think I will get another Land Rover   Off Road Disco Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 04:25 pm:    I do follow the trade rags and most companies try different concepts to guage public interest and throw off the competition. If you look back to even 2000 and look at what cars the trade rags said companies would make you'll see some hits and many misses. It like predicting the weather. You can do it but the more in to the future you go the less accurate it becomes.   Sean Butler-Lee (Seanblee) Posted on Wednesday, April 03, 2002 - 03:35 pm:    Jeff, LR isn't going 'off a cliff'. They're continuing to push on 4x4 technology. Like it or not, Land Rover have to stay in business, and the only way they can afford to continue to produce the 'extreme off-road' vehicles you want, they have to produce vehicles the mass market wants, like the Discovery and Freelander. Land Rover hasn't abandoned its heritage. It still builds formidable off-road capability into its vehicles. Look at the new Range Rover. Sure, it's got a big engine and a plush interior, but it off-roads better than a stock Defender in many situations! Don't know about you, but I'd say that's pretty impressive. I don't know about the US market, but I know about the UK market. Land Rover will sell you a Defender with a hoseout interior, vinyl seats and no electronics (except engine management of course), but they'll sell your rich neighbour a Range Rover with electric everything that'll also off-road like the Defender. They aren't alienating their market, they're just expanding into new areas, and I say good on them. Without advancements like the new Range Rover, they'll go under. Easy as that. Anyway, they put back CDL into the 03 model Disco. What's the problem? The final issue is assumptions. Everyone is assuming Land Rover is softening themselves, and becoming less focused on the farming fraternity that buy the Defender. This simply isn't true. I'm also not convinced about stories of Ford putting the Defender and Discovery on an Explorer platform. I don't think they'd do it. Yes, they put a Jaguar on a Mondeo platform (sort-of) with the X-Type, but they haven't interfered with Aston-Martin too much. Aston and LR both have very specific target markets which they know well. Ford wouldn't interfere with what works. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Sorry 'bout the long post, I just had a lot to get down!   r0ver4x4 Posted on Wednesday, April 03, 2002 - 04:02 pm:    I really hope you are right   Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 12:08 am:    "It still builds formidable off-road capability into its vehicles. Look at the new Range Rover. Sure, it's got a big engine and a plush interior, but it off-roads better than a stock Defender in many situations!" Okay... I'll say that I have yet to see the new Rangie in action but just what situations will the new Rangie do better than a Defender? As for the rumors that the new D90 will be built on the same platform as the Exploder I don't buy either just because there is alot to be gained from a platform that is not changed every 4 or so years. There is cost savings there that go beyond what would be saved by sharing with the Explorer.   Zinhead Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 07:31 am:    I never said the Defender was going to share the same chassis with the Explorer, just the next generation Disco. The trade journals have been pretty silent about the next Defender. Given the low sales totals, the Defender is the least of Fords concerns. About the new RR, I really doubt it will off road better than my Disco, much less a Defender. Despite what LROI says, I have seen the new RR, and the suspension and tires look like they were designed for rolling down the autobahn, not a muddy track.   Sean Butler-Lee (Seanblee) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 05:08 pm:    That's the new RR's purpose to be sure. It's designed to compete with things like Jag XJs, BMW 7-series and Merc S-Class, not with things like Defenders, Wranglers and G-Wagens. Having said that, there's no reason why it can't mix the rough with the smooth. The electronics on it are what makes it so good, together with the independent suspension and the Torsen instead of an open diff in the middle. It basically acts like a live-axle vehicle with 3 lockers in most situations. It has more travel than the outgoing model, plus it could keep wheels turning where the non-ETC, non-locker Defender fell down. That, after all, is what matters.   Anonymous Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 09:29 pm:    Doesn't the UK military use the defender, if so then why would they have it built off of the american ford explorer base. I know Ford owns them but i still dont think that would ever happen.   Sean Butler-Lee (Seanblee) Posted on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 04:28 pm:    Yep, UK military and US Special Forces both use the Defender. The UK military has used Land Rovers since they were first launched. They even considered using the Discovery as a commander's vehicle, but decided against it. As I said above, that picture above isn't the Defender. LR wouldn't sell it to the military, so they'd lose one of their biggest Defender contracts. Also, I'm almost sure the UK forces wouldn't want a Ford Explorer with a LR body, so I doubt that'll happen.