| Author | Message | ||
     Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) New Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 27 Registered: 08-2003 |
Can anyone confirm or deny that the defender is coming back to the US in 2006 ? I stopped down at my local LR dealer last week and they mentioned that it was coming back - but completely redesigned. Bearing in mind the mess that Ford have made of the next discovery (series 4) I hope they don't do the same thing to the new defender. The next Disco looks like a Honda Element  Jeff | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 926 Registered: 09-2002 |
I think the next gen Defender is supposed to share a common platform with the new Disco. It looks like LR/Ford is trying to save cost by having the vehicles share more components so don't be surprised if they start looking like each other a bit. You might see a "Defelement" in a year or two.  | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) New Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 30 Registered: 08-2003 |
Thanks Alan - found out a bit more info - 2008 is likely to be the fateful year. Based on the disco platform. I found a few artist renditions - I guess it isn't too bad... It appears that they are bringing in a number of new models - most of which look like Hondas/Isuzu's judging by the pics. Now if they were to bring back the 101FC we'd really be cooking with gas but unfortunately they killed the llama project off | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) New Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2003 |
From what I have been reading in LRO & LRM, Ford hasn't allocated any funding for the Defender redesign progam. Best guestimate from the current Defender Brand Manager at Land Rover was 2010 at the earliest. It has been a topic in the news sections of both mags on and off for the better part of the year. I wouldn't hold your breath and get your wallet out. Whenever and whatever comes across the pond IMHO wouldn't be worth buying anyway (compared to the NAS D-90 SW I already own). Check out the latest LRO for the scoop. The one with the mock proto type on the cover. | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 929 Registered: 09-2002 |
Like Eric was saying, I wouldn't hold your breath on the Defender returning, if it returns. I'd still stick with the current Defenders. If you are looking for one as a trail rig, check around with the military for retired rigs. We see them here more and more and they cost a fraction of the cost of the ones you see on ebay. They're a little beat up but if it's a trail rig, who cares right? Won't be so upset when you add new dings to it plus they're so spartan inside that they're extremely easy to fix. There's no fancy covers or stuff to undo. It's all out in the open and everything seems to be made to just unscrew out for replacement. There's a fellow here that brings in ex-MOD British D110's and sells them for around $8000 CDN although I'm betting you could get him down lower. They all have rebuilt engines and run. The body is just in rough shape and some still have things like gun turret holes in the roof...which is kinda neat and an interesting conversation starter. So if you really want one as a trail rig, I'd go that route. You can even customize it to the way you want if you want nicer amenities. I also think they are more "Land Rover" than whatever the new one could possibly represent. These old Defenders have "Land Rover heritage" written all over them. I think that's part of the allure of them...besides being good off-road vehicles. | ||
| Michael Slade (Tawayama) New Member Username: Tawayama Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2003 |
You want a Defender in 2006? Build your own. Will someone bury this dead horse? | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 171 Registered: 08-2003 |
Check out the SVX a couple of post down. | ||
| Wicks (Wicks) Member Username: Wicks Post Number: 106 Registered: 03-2003 |
Chill Michael - let us enjoy the fantasy of rolling up in a Defender with power windows and 5 miles on it. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 544 Registered: 02-2003 |
in addition to more than likely unibody indepent supension and gobs of plastic. i will keep on rolling mine. | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) New Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2003 |
Actually it supposedly will be a CKD kit assembled at the dealer. Since the CKD is based off of a 110, It won't be unibody and IS. It will most likely have power options and more refinement than the 93. | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) New Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2003 |
http://www.tawayama.com/gear/defenderckd.html | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 547 Registered: 02-2003 |
i think that is easier said than done. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 549 Registered: 02-2003 |
how will VIN's be issued? frame motor drivetrain? | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) New Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2003 |
Most likely it will be VIN'd from the point of origin prior to import. I hear it is Brazil. Registration will be a kit car here in Chicago so I wonder what the insurance would be like and if they would import a 110 hi cap.... | ||
| Peter Stuiver (Pete) New Member Username: Pete Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 |
Here in Holland, the dealer said that the last defender will be sold in Holland in 2006, this because of the European rules. If there will be a new Defender, it will not be a "Defender" ! | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2711 Registered: 02-2002 |
Actually it supposedly will be a CKD kit assembled at the dealer Uh.... Not to knock some of the better dealerships out there (ie, the ol' "99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name" syndrome), but, would you *really* want a CKD that a dealership put together?? -L | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) New Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2003 |
The update is that the Dealers can not put them together for you. There is a thread on d-90.com. They say they will ask 27-35k and you have to put it together yourself, or pay soeone around 7k to do it. Here is the killer part though, you order it through the parts department. Hell they can barely get the right oil let alone a whole car! lol EwS | ||
| Forrest Kelly (Fpkelly) New Member Username: Fpkelly Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2003 |
So this is actually coming state side? Is there any dates known when it'll come? I definitely want to be on the list for this. Putting it together will be half the fun! | ||
| Michael L. Palmieri (Great_pumpkin) New Member Username: Great_pumpkin Post Number: 35 Registered: 01-2004 |
What is it about Defenders? I mean, I have a brand new G4 Disco which I enjoy greatly. And yet, here I am looking at that CKD link thinking "man, if I could only get my hands on one of those." I guess when we use the word ICONIC, the Defender fits the bill perfectly. It evokes a feeling from the gut. A passion can be stirred with only a glance. Perhaps I am waxing poetic here, perhaps I just want it because I (being in the US) cannot get it. Nevertheless, the D110, for me, is the holy grail of new Rovers. | ||
| Wicks (Wicks) Member Username: Wicks Post Number: 134 Registered: 03-2003 |
GF is getting ready to buy Disco. I thought the G4s weren't coming to US. You got one? | ||
| Michael L. Palmieri (Great_pumpkin) Member Username: Great_pumpkin Post Number: 44 Registered: 01-2004 |
Wicks -- I just sent you an e-mail. Yes, I have a G4 Disco. Check that e-mail for details. --Michael | ||
| Tyler kinghorn (Flippedrover) Member Username: Flippedrover Post Number: 41 Registered: 12-2003 |
I believe a very limited number are being brought into the states. | ||
| James (Greenmeanie) New Member Username: Greenmeanie Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2004 |
I think you've hit the nail on the head Michael. The grass is always greener on the other side, hence US enthsiasts - almost all of them - wish there were more Defenders. Ironically UK owners have a similar fetish for the NAS spec 90, since a full roll cage, V8 auto was only a special 50th anni. edition and was a metallic blue SW only. I don't know if this has been mentioned before but the oldest 90s and 110s are now just over 20 years old, so surely in 5 years they can be imported just like the Series models. These are the most characterful of all coilers, since they have lift-up door handles, exposed galv. cappings, very few frills and the carb V8 was still a factory fit option. | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 187 Registered: 12-2003 |
jeff, where did you find the artist's renditions of the 2008 defender? Cheers Jack | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Senior Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 255 Registered: 08-2003 |
Hi Jack - Here's the site that had them - for some reason the link seems to be semi-dead. http://www.thelandroverchronicle.com/new_page_431.htm There's an alternative rendition based on the "bronco" platform on - This one's not an 'official' rendition. I hate to say it but this one does grow on you after a while (and a few beers) http://www.lrenthusiastforum.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Num ber=222622&page=&view=&sb=&o= regards Jeff | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 189 Registered: 12-2003 |
lol, yeah i definatly did a double take when i first saw that. Had to check the cover of the mag making sure it was a car and driver not an lro. If land rover have controll of building the "bronco/defender" i think it's not half bad. But then again, i'm not sure i'd want to see the same vehicle going down the street with a ford badge and red-neck wannabee's driving them. Thank's for the links Cheers Jack |
