welshspringer
Active Member
Just a thought, big business always plans ahead. Could it be if the country votes OUT, the NEW DEFENDER will be made in EUROPE!??????
blue beasty
Leaks an prone to bits dropping off
blue beasty
Leaks an prone to bits dropping off
Hence my question mark - I'm not sure if that is fact and can't be bothered to Google it
I'm no expert but the consensus is that production method and costs have had JLR wanting to end production for some years now.
They're big into aluminium extrusion and have invested massively in the manufacturing technology and plant.
I reckon that whatever and wherever the new Defender will be built, it won't be a Defender anymore, however they name it ... I've no doubt it'll be robust, work well off road but I really doubt it'll be the box of Meccano we all know and love/despise, but to go backwards to old design engines is a big no-no in my book.
Yes they were and still are good engines but so much more could be done with a whole new design. I'd rather see a wholly new non-turbo design, for instance, with 'instant' power/torque that's lighter, more powerful and probably more economical and reliable than previous designs. If it's mated to a lighter stronger bodyshell it might be useful ... leave the suspension 'tuneable' and even a monocoque design might work ... or even spaceframe with a similar square body shape that can be changed from van to truck to softtop etc might also work well.
I see little value in keeping Defender going in it's current design though, for either customers or JLR ...
A contrary argument may be that there's little cost in tooling required to continue the present design, if it can get round environmental issues, it's an iconic design that is immediately recognised and known to have faults which can all be fixed or have been fixed at source. If only it would sell in large enough numbers ...
Yes they were and still are good engines but so much more could be done with a whole new design. I'd rather see a wholly new non-turbo design, for instance, with 'instant' power/torque that's lighter, more powerful and probably more economical and reliable than previous designs. If it's mated to a lighter stronger bodyshell it might be useful ... leave the suspension 'tuneable' and even a monocoque design might work ... or even spaceframe with a similar square body shape that can be changed from van to truck to softtop etc might also work well.
I see little value in keeping Defender going in it's current design though, for either customers or JLR ...
A contrary argument may be that there's little cost in tooling required to continue the present design, if it can get round environmental issues, it's an iconic design that is immediately recognised and known to have faults which can all be fixed or have been fixed at source. If only it would sell in large enough numbers ...
Turboman
Mab An Gov
As they say around here, if it aint Landrover shaped, it aint a Landrover!
I agree there might be a market for a small, light, simple utility type vehicle, like the farm mules that are everywhere. Very much the ethos of the early Landrovers. Shame that JLR have no interest in these markets, only in cars.
Doubt if production of the old ones will resume in Europe, due to labour costs and environmental concerns. Might be more likely production will resume in India, etc. Similar to what has happened with Morris Minor and Enfield motorbikes.
Personally I cant see that a new model is likely to improve on the old ones for my purposes.
Nor can we. IME the new stuff is just too damn complicated for its own good.
I also think any new model is more likely to suit JLR's purposes than anything else
Plus, lets not forget the Norwegian study which showed that talking all the costs into account, including end of life disposal costs, a Hummer is better for the planet than a Prius! ( this may have swung slightly in the Prius' favour by now due to the reducing costs of recycling Li-Ion batteries - but I bet its still a long way off even equal, let alone in the Prius' favour)
Do you think some one in the higher echelons of Royal Enfield would of thought that such a basic design would still be made in 2016....
Sometimes there is a market away from all the electronics and sensors with launch controls and air con.
As odd as it may seem ..in a world where we crave advancement in technologies.. someone somewhere wants a mechanical alternative... hence why the massey Wilcox tractors are number one in the choice of vintage tractors in poor countries with limited knowledge on advancement or practices.
Sometimes there is a market away from all the electronics and sensors with launch controls and air con.
As odd as it may seem ..in a world where we crave advancement in technologies.. someone somewhere wants a mechanical alternative... hence why the massey Wilcox tractors are number one in the choice of vintage tractors in poor countries with limited knowledge on advancement or practices.
