Interesting..
https://www.cityam.com/jim-ratcliffe-wins-jaguar-land-rover-challenge-over-defender-shape/
Looks like all systems go then
Nah, only needs one ECU, for the engine. An infotainment system really isn't needed. Just a head unit that has bluetooth and DAB.This is genuinely good news. I like the new Defender 90, a lot...but would be seriously tempted if Jimbo designs and manufactures a conventional Defender facsimile with a few modern luxuries but without 85 ECU's. Logically, two ECU's should do the job, one for the engine/transmission, one for the entertainment/mobile phone system. Both of these have already been proven c/o Messrs B, M & W and should automatically pass the Euro emission standards. And if the price point is £35-£40k all in, they'll sell like hot cakes.
Nah, only needs one ECU, for the engine. An infotainment system really isn't needed. Just a head unit that has bluetooth and DAB.
Interesting although I note JLR are appealing the decision.Interesting..
https://www.cityam.com/jim-ratcliffe-wins-jaguar-land-rover-challenge-over-defender-shape/
Looks like all systems go then
Interesting they havent tried to sue the other companies that look vaguely like Defenders, like the Jimny.Interesting although I note JLR are appealing the decision.
The problem is, if the Grenadier costs too much, it will price out the kind of folks who would want one.The new company/ Grenadier is hardly attacking the JLR marketplace anyway. They pulled out of simple & functional years ago. JLR are purely interested in the California, Dubai & Chelsea set, and lease deals to middle class families doing school runs.
Especially Kia, Hyundai and Nissan.So they threw the claim out because the Defender shape was not distinctive enough against other 4x4's.
Not sure I completely agree with that as it had one of the most recognisable shapes out there, but then again in some respects I can see the problem, these days, if you took the badge, grill and light clusters away from most modern vehicles everything becomes very 'samey'
Not to mention Motrab, I think I their name is, in Iran, who makes a pretty identical copy of the Defender using Santanas original tooling.And Santana & Iveco have previously used a near enough identical body so how can you now have a total claim to the shape?
Glad you can afford a minimum of £40k. If I was spending that kind of money, it would be on a Ford Mustang, or a fully spaced Ford Raptor. Not a basic specced Discovery+.Well, I don't think JLR/TATA deserve the right to battle another car manufacturer over general design shape/shadow/look of...what was, the Defender. It's been and gone. Time's moved on and JLR chose to develop an all together different 4x4 using their modern tech. Nothing wrong with this but they have moved on.
Regarding the Defender shape, there are so many other cars around the world that have similar form and function to the Defender. Many fail to do it as well, others...day I say it...do much better. But, wrapping up the generic Defender shape in IP is like trying to IP a 3 bed Thatched Cottage. If Ineos/Grenadier choose to design and build a Defender-esque shape, ala one big box attached to one smaller box, then so be it.
I'm new to Defender ownership, though have always understood the fun factor/uniqueness of all the ages of a Defender. This does not stop me liking the new D90 [and I've got a viewing of the new D110 in a few weeks time ] + I'm eagerly waiting to see what the Ineos Grenadier looks like and its capabilities. I need to replace an ageing Subaru Forester with a new/newer car. So far the new D90 with canvas sliding roof ticks all the boxes [excluding the bloomin' ECU's]. I've looked at Discovery, Porsche Macan and many, many others, and none of what's on the market ticks the box. I'm guessing it'll be between the D90 and the Grenadier and I'm gauging they're both going to be equally capable...so it will be down to aesthetic and price.
or a fully spaced Ford Raptor