4x4 Action Group

A Constructive view of the New Defender

The ‘New Defender’, as its so differentiated, is
now well introduced into the initial target markets
and it too is subject to a lot of focus and assessment ,
not only by by the cynics and sceptics.
Each new range of Land Rovers has had to run the same
initiation gauntlet and each went on to establish its place and degree of acceptance, or not,
… S1, S2, S3 LR110, Defenders , D1s, D2s,
and a parallell range of
D3s, D4s, D5s and now the New Defenders.
The Range Rovers mighy be considered yet a 3rd parallel ‘luxury’ progression of models, closer to the Discovery line.

The video below presents a constructive and imo
a somewhat fairly pro-biassed view of the New Defender
… it focusses on the D200 Commercial Hard-Top Version
a 90” Base entry level work-horse applicant.

I believe a derivative of this will be the best
surviving contender as an off-road work-horse , now that
the Defender Puma and its precedents are withdrawn.

See what you think …
What are the logical, practical improvements
that will/should materialise to better its evolution ?

I will , in due course, compile a summarising list
(of credible and serious !) suggestions and predictions
in post # 2 .

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUzA4Wcvumc

The New Defender How it can/should be improved.

1. The lowest powered 2L motor is more than adequate
for purpose and the large diameter hubs/disks ate not warranted for off-road use, considering the 150 kW power
applied to the 2.3t Gross mass etc of this low end vehicle.
LR should offer, for this base model, lesser diameter hubs/disks that can accommadate higher side profile off-road tyres.

2. That Retractable rear gooseneck tow hitch
is an unnecessary and probly impractical gadget,
Rather have a sturdy sliding block tow hitch back-plate
that can be readily fitted/removed as and when required.

3. The rear ‘luggage’ compartment should be open
and continuous with/to front cab-space

4. Evidently the Headlighting needs improvement.

5. A sturdy lift hatch and drop down tail-gate set-up should be optional in place of a side-swing back door.
( A RRC tailgate can be loaded with 250kg ... )

Chas, that pom's review upon which you base your finding on, is of the Commercial variant.
We don't get that one here.
So the comment about thru loading is null & void to us.

They only get it to dodge the 21% VAT.

The ones we get do not have that screen...

OK .
Yes Im aware Commercial variant not (yet) available
here … which is strange as Africa is probly ‘Hard-Top country … a good potential market for it.
Good to hear the ‘screen’ is not necessarily a permenant partitioning/dividing fixture.

*20% VAT here in Borisclownland

… but I think here in SA
you can avoid that dastardly VAT
if you can show vehicle is bought and used
for ‘Commercial Use’
… eg for geo expln & mineral deposit asessment etc etc ?

… or you ( Manny? ) saying not so ?


C.V.Dean
GeoMinVest Ltd.