Land Rover confirms new version of its Defender model

[LR109]

Land Rover will release an all-new version of its Defender model in 2015, it has confirmed.

The carmaker has also released the first images of the concept car upon which the new Defender will be based, the DC100.

This is set to make its public debut at next month's Frankfurt motor show.

The current Defender was first introduced in 1948 and has gone on to enjoy sales of more than two million around the world.

Its basic design has changed little over the past six decades.

Land Rover's director of design, Gerry McGovern, said: "Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide.

"[The DC100] isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."

John Edwards, Land Rover's global brand director, added that the company was "determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market".

UK-based Land Rover and its sister brand Jaguar are owned by India's Tata Motors.

http://bbc.in/oSoZ02

[RON CT110]

Thanks for posting Mark.

I hope Land Rover is reading this.

Don't like how the DC100 concept design looks as is - see below.



Probably has air suspension. And check out those 22" or maybe 24" rims. Horrible. Keep it Simple Sir (KISS). Go back to the drawing board (have 4 years more to work on it)!

Looks more like Kia Soul; not even close to a Defender in my mind!

This or that. Not! Lol

[GraemeWare]

LR insiders have said it will be based on the LR4 running gear, so no solid axles I'm afraid. However, if enough people complain, maybe, in the time they have they can change that ...

Graeme

[JeremyP]

I would rather them discontinue it all together than release this abomination under the legendary defender name. Truly a disappointment.

[KSuttle]

A different view from the LR site....

Looks like an FJ with huge wheels.

[JeremyP]

Oh those wheels.....

[JeremyP]

Gerry McGovern should be fired for this....

[KSuttle]

I can just picture the UN or Red Cross driving around providing relief and aid in these...NOT.

[JeremyP]

I just saw a photo of the dc120 concept. That front end is just ruining my life. Good thing is it will drive the price up of defender classics. Lol.

[Gotrovr]

Get rid of those 20" wheels and add real under body & door sill protection... Notice the rear hanging spare :)

[codynt]

Get rid of those 20" wheels and add real under body & door sill protection... Notice the rear hanging spare :)

My RRs could use a rear hanging spare...

Still escapes me why they'd show the concept with 22+" rims. The RRS and Evoque I can understand, but this just doesn't work.

[Karl]

More pictures from an article about the new Defender at the Frankfurt auto show...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/land-rover-defender/frankfurt-show-shock-new-defender/259087/pictures/frankfurt-show-shock-new-defender.aspx

Karl.

[KSuttle]

Forget the new Defender...what about this Ford concept...

http://www.fordpedia.org/2008/06/13/the-ford-bronco-concept-suv-pictures/

[BReid]

I'd like to hear what the farmers in Britain are saying.
TaTa Defender

[KSuttle]

Looks like the concept DC100 may never see the light of day due to backlash from Land Rover enthusiasts.

Thanks to nwoods from SCLR for sending me this link.

This thread is located at:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/66204-New-Defender-Concept?goto=newpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Rumor on the street- Tata's Land Rover Group CEO resigned this past Friday because the polls taken on the Concept DC100 came back at a 96% disapproval rating. The same rumor also states the head designer was given a week to turn in his resignation. The news reports state he resigned due to personal reasons- but the rumbling is it all centered around this cluster debacle of a truck design - wait - is that a truck design?

http://www.roverparts.com/News/Archive/LandRoverCEOResignsDC100DefenderDebuts.cfm

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/09/09/idINIndia-59247720110909

Tatas stock hit a 52 week low on Monday as the news spead. We may never see this truck as stated above!
D
***************


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[RBaker]

Thank goodness for that. Although the chopped top version could have been a fun toy. Maybe they'll try to bring the "tata city rover" to the States and force a few more necessary resignations before a worthy successor emerges.

[TDeWitt]

Yeah, the design and those ridiculous "Hot Wheels" size tyres and rims make it a perfect "assault" vehicle in the gangsta 'hoods of our inner cities. Blends right in. Put 'er into a real survival situation (aka the real world), and all you have is a toy that gets stuck every 10 feet. It also reminds me of Rovers attempt with the Freulander, Ford's "brighter" idea for the Land Rover entry rig. Can you spell e-s-c-a-p-e? Nothing but "value engineering" in my eyes.

[CNelson]

One word...UGLY!

[MathewJackson]

The end of an era :(

[Karl]

Ummm... now don't stab me in the heart, but the tonka-toy look is starting to grow on me:




If they can just get the mechanicals and off-road capabilities up to snuff, keep the costs under control, and reduce the 'jewelry' in the productionization process, it might be a viable option...

Karl.