New Defender - Thoughts?

[uzj100]

Check this out.

The prices - wow.

Defender | Embrace the Impossible. Since 1948. | Unstoppable 4x4 Vehicles

The most iconic and capable 4x4s. Discover the full range now, each offering unique personality and features. Explore Defender today.

www.landroverusa.com

The New Defender Takes On the World

(Editor’s Note: Expedition Portal was fortunate to actually see the Defender in person a month ago, sit in it, and explore every corner of the finished vehicle. These are our thoughts having experienced it in the flesh.) Today is a significant moment for North American overland travelers, as...

expeditionportal.com

 

[4LowandSlow]

Looks like a Nissan Armada and 1/3 of a Land Rover had a kid

 

[uzj100]

@4LowandSlow - agreed. And steel wheels does not make the thing durable or off road capable. ;<)

I was thinking KIA.

The top spec model is 80k. For 80k you can buy a new 200.

 

[izzyandsue]

Looking forward to getting my butt in one of those seats and test it. Then will decide. I do not like the stupid Mr. Potato Head Jeep angry eyes. But then again on the highway I began to notice how many SUVs have the same childish idiotic angry eyes. No wonder the world is on fire, we are like angry little fawkers surrounding by other angry little fawkers staring at us.

 

[uzj100]

Looking forward to getting my butt in one of those seats and test it. Then will decide. I do not like the stupid Mr. Potato Head Jeep angry eyes. But then again on the highway I began to notice how many SUVs have the same childish idiotic angry eyes. No wonder the world is on fire, we are like angry little fawkers surrounding by other angry little fawkers staring at us.

Can't wait for some feedback. The front could be better.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

It's All-Wheel-Drive? I thought they would keep it 4WD. I figured maybe they would make it IFS with a solid rear like the LCs, something more comfort geared. I never thought they'd make the Defender an AWD set up.

@Izzyandsue Don't they still use the Defender for British military service? I would have thought that a dedicated 4WD system would be preferred over AWD. Unless, they aren't going to be using the Defender anymore.

Not to say this vehicle won't be good, I'm sure it will be...when it's working. I guess road/trail tests and time will tell.

I know the queen likes the Defender, at least she'll be comfy now.

 

[uzj100]

It's All-Wheel-Drive? I thought they would keep it 4WD. I figured maybe they would make it IFS with a solid rear like the LCs, something more comfort geared. I never thought they'd make the Defender an AWD set up.

@Izzyandsue Don't they still use the Defender for British military service? I would have thought that a dedicated 4WD system would be preferred over AWD. Unless, they aren't going to be using the Defender anymore.

Not to say this vehicle won't be good, I'm sure it will be...when it's working. I guess road/trail tests and time will tell.

I know the queen likes the Defender, at least she'll be comfy now.

It states it has a 2 speed transfer case and center and rear diff locks.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

It states it has a 2 speed transfer case and center and rear diff locks.

Gotcha! I missed that part in the Expedition Portal article. My bad.

 

[lt1fire]

It's All-Wheel-Drive? I thought they would keep it 4WD. I figured maybe they would make it IFS with a solid rear like the LCs, something more comfort geared. I never thought they'd make the Defender an AWD set up.

@Izzyandsue Don't they still use the Defender for British military service? I would have thought that a dedicated 4WD system would be preferred over AWD. Unless, they aren't going to be using the Defender anymore.

Not to say this vehicle won't be good, I'm sure it will be...when it's working. I guess road/trail tests and time will tell.

I know the queen likes the Defender, at least she'll be comfy now.

UK armed services still use old defenders like we still use old hummers. The queen's personal vehicle is an older solid axle 5 speed range rover classic. That one she has had since new... LR Monthly did an article on it a few years back. EDIT: that isn't to say she doesn't have a defender, she does, the article laid out a few of her vehicles and most of them are LR in one way or another. I guess when you learn to drive while serving during WWII on large army trucks it sticks with you.

Not sold on the looks yet but I know it will be capable. The we rover shocked me how capable it was when I got to put it through the obstacle course at the overland rally last year.

 

[roadstr6]

 

[mtweller]

Fugly.

Old school Defenders are badass, what a shame.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

Fugly.

Old school Defenders are badass, what a shame.

Agreed. I love the look of the old Defender and the G-Wagon. Looks like the new Defender is based on the current Discovery, so they didn't have much to work with.

 

[Mtbcoach]

All I can contribute is my perspective, the ration of crap I was provided, what a dumb phawk I was to be driving that “expensive” FJC ($23.5K OTD) out in the woods like I did, then comes GX-OR with rigs well north of $45K, now this for ExPed travel? I thought I was pushing things but ponying up for that kind of cash, yeah, they’ll take it across the African desert, on someone else’s dime...

 

[izzyandsue]

It's All-Wheel-Drive? I thought they would keep it 4WD. I figured maybe they would make it IFS with a solid rear like the LCs, something more comfort geared. I never thought they'd make the Defender an AWD set up.

@Izzyandsue Don't they still use the Defender for British military service? I would have thought that a dedicated 4WD system would be preferred over AWD. Unless, they aren't going to be using the Defender anymore.

Not to say this vehicle won't be good, I'm sure it will be...when it's working. I guess road/trail tests and time will tell.

I know the queen likes the Defender, at least she'll be comfy now.

Minor difference, full time 4WD is not the same as AWD, and they are full time 4WD. British Army still on older, but may shift like Canada to G-Wagens. This new defender reads like a very capable veehicle, but air suspension will not fair well in war zones.

 

[QsLC75]

I watched Richard Hammonds video this morning and was visually disturbed. It is not the D90 I stepped into in 98 and thought this vehicle is invisible. I hope the test drives and reviews prove me wrong. Until then Buy the old and using the extra $$$ to restore.

 

[uzj100]

Found on the web - All wheel drive (AWD) is almost the same thing as full time 4WD - it is a system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle at all times as well. It can be used full time on all surfaces including pavement like full time 4WD. Difference to full time 4WD is that a "4-low" setting is not available in AWD cars.

 

[izzyandsue]

Not quite. Come to the class

 

[uzj100]

Not quite. Come to the class

Maybe - i heard the instructor is kind of tough on folks. hehe

 

[lt1fire]

Found on the web - All wheel drive (AWD) is almost the same thing as full time 4WD - it is a system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle at all times as well. It can be used full time on all surfaces including pavement like full time 4WD. Difference to full time 4WD is that a "4-low" setting is not available in AWD cars.

You are forgetting the center locking diff. That is the main difference between the two.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

You are forgetting the center locking diff. That is the main difference between the two.

Center locked differential that keeps both driveshafts rotating at the exact same rate, is what I've always seen as the difference between AWD and 4WD. Is that correct?

The trick is that this new Defender says it has a locking center diff. That said, LR lists it as having AWD and not 4WD...which is confusing. I'm wondering if it's a true locking center diff, or if it still slips a little stopping the equal rotation of the driveshafts every now and then.