Future Land Rover design?

Ok, bit of an odd one, but here goes.

I'm here for suggestions, a bit of market research if you will.

I'm a 2nd year Automotive Design student at Swansea Met Uni, and we are starting a 'live project' with Land Rover, meaning Land Rover will set us the design brief instead of our tutors. Bit of real world practice. It'll last a couple months, and along the way we will probably go to Gaydon to do small presentations, etc. As a big Land Rover fan, i couldn't be happier, as there is a chance for an internship at the end, and LR would be a dream job for me.

We dont officially get the brief for a week or two, but we know its very open, ie. we can basically do what we want, go crazy! At least initially. That may change further along, as Land Rover see our work and narrow it down.

So here's where you guys come in. Basically i want to see what sort of vehicle you want LR to make. I wont be doing a successor to an existing car, ie the next Disco. I want to do something new, something LR have never done.

It doesn't matter if it seems unrealistic, due to cost or material availability, its not like they will produce these designs. They want to see innovative ideas, and understanding of the brand DNA.

I'll leave a link to some of my work, bear in mind a lot of it is pretty old, but you get an idea of what i do:- garyjpaterson (Gary Paterson) on deviantART

EDIT- Heres where it all began, 8 years old, our Disco series 2.

a motorbike

A large commercial vehicle along the lines of the 8x8 Tatra 813 etc.

a beach buggy

A trike

A rival to the uni mog

Tom

LRD90tdi said:

A rival to the uni mog

Tom

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101 Forward control? Nice ideas guys, kepp it up.

Defenders with a Cadillac V8's in them

minirover, smartcar size but 4x4 off road, for the wimmins

Seeing as the new landrovers all seem to be doing the school run, maybe you could include a warning alarm to let them know they are more that 5 feet away from the edge of the kerb. it might help them move over on to there side of the road.

I like the idea of a kit form. you choose a chassis and engine package and have all the different body options available so you can build it yourself. Hang on. we can do that anyway.

A 2014 version of the Series 1

Back to LR's roots, a basic, functional, utilitarian design with modern tech and comfort - that can be fixed on your driveway with a box of spanners and a hammer

Maybe modular accessories that you can change as you wish i.e. a plug in snorkel, clip on roof rack etc that can be done without major tools.

Something that looks good covered in mud

Rasher said:

Seeing as the new landrovers all seem to be doing the school run, maybe you could include a warning alarm to let them know they are more that 5 feet away from the edge of the kerb. it might help them move over on to there side of the road.

I like the idea of a kit form. you choose a chassis and engine package and have all the different body options available so you can build it yourself. Hang on. we can do that anyway.

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It is called options, custom order, Americans have had that for 50 years or longer

Rasher said:

I like the idea of a kit form. you choose a chassis and engine package and have all the different body options available so you can build it yourself. Hang on. we can do that anyway.

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That's the best bit about LR's - they're like meccano for grownups

A smaller fuel injected 4 cylinder, much like a Suzuki, but with a bit longer wheelbase and more accoutrements. Must have a solid front axle and diff lock. Something that would have an appeal and price conducive to becoming the "world's motor".

Thanks for pointing that out thor1950. We really are lucky to have someone with as much knowledge as you on here.

garyjpaterson said:

101 Forward control? Nice ideas guys, kepp it up.

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A more modern FC would be great, with locking diffs, winches, portals etc

Tom

Ladder chassis
Modular bolt on internal roll cage for different variants.
plastic bolt on panels. Moulded in colour, easy replacement.
GRP bath tub base.
easy change to hard top , SW , soft top.
quick removal seats in rear.
Full 4 wheel drive.
optional lockers on diffs
spring suspension with air suspension over ride for extra height.
waterproof sound , ICE system.
all wiring in easy to open trunking.
Quick removable sound proofing.
wiring harness to include , wiring for spots, winch, worklights etc.
inbuilt recovery points.
lockable internal storage quick clamp and removable.

Idea is to make it plug and play for the weekend warrior, easy to change for the school run / long distance holiday drive.

Rasher said:

Thanks for pointing that out thor1950. We really are lucky to have someone with as much knowledge as you on here.

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you are very welcome

So here we are, one year from the end of Defender production. Land Rover have no idea what the replacement will be like, they have nothing in the pipeline and they're asking students for ideas

Personally I think the new defender should be a Forward Control with a variety of different bodies for the back, from cherry picker to 12 seat safari.