Current Defender to live on to 2017 at least

[Ray Hyland]

Just lifted this off the Tata Motors Blog:

The bulk of the current Land Rover Defender range is likely to continue in production until 2017 or later — and that will be at least two years after the launch of the all-new Defender replacement in 2015.

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The long-wheelbase 110 and commercial 130 versions of the Land Rover Defender are likely to be beneficiaries, staying in production well after the arrival of the new short-wheelbase Defender, previewed at the Frankfurt show as the DC100 concept.

“There are a number of changes to the legislation that mean we can keep the current Defender in production longer than we thought,” said a Land Rover source.

The first is the ability of the new 2.2-litre diesel engine to meet EU6 standards — the tough next step in emissions regulations that will align diesel engine pollutants with those of petrols in 2015/16.

There is also a suggestion that the Defender might not have to comply with EU6 until a later date. A few years ago the Defender was reclassified as a commercial vehicle, which might help.

Pedestrian impact laws were due to pull down the shutters on the Defender in 2015, but Land Rover now understands that a ‘derogation’ — exemption from the law — might apply until 2020.

[discotdi]

that sounds good but it doesn't help any of us here in North America.

[forsakenfuture]

This is very good news.

[DividingCreek]

that sounds good but it doesn't help any of us here in North America.

Todd,
It will be all the difference 25yrs from now.....

[discotdi]

Doug- I think I might be a bit too old for a Defender by then:)

[achampagne]

Well that's good, I still hope to see better changes and less KIA automaker like styling. Like said above, it doesn't help any of us in the North America.

[Rovertrader]

typical for LR to overlap, as the old style will continue to sell to ROW locals, and defence contracts, etc.

[goinsurfin]

This is great news that Defender will be around for a while longer. My question to the community, how much would we (US market) be willing to pay for a potential new 2014-15 NAS spec Defender that includes airbags, impact protection, the roll cage and other necessary features to comply with DOT/EPA regulations? If North America is such an important market for LR, have they done the math lately to see what their actual costs are to possibly build a limited run of 90 and 110 models for the US market? I the right engine needs to be determined too (V8s sourced from Jaguar or USA compliant Tdi) plus they'd have to consider added luxury features like found in RR, LR4 and the competitive G-wagon.

What do you think or is my thinking over the top....

[tacr2man]

This is great news that Defender will be around for a while longer. My question to the community, how much would we (US market) be willing to pay for a potential new 2014-15 NAS spec Defender that includes airbags, impact protection, the roll cage and other necessary features to comply with DOT/EPA regulations? If North America is such an important market for LR, have they done the math lately to see what their actual costs are to possibly build a limited run of 90 and 110 models for the US market? I the right engine needs to be determined too (V8s sourced from Jaguar or USA compliant Tdi) plus they'd have to consider added luxury features like found in RR, LR4 and the competitive G-wagon.

What do you think or is my thinking over the top....

The right engine for anywhere in my opinion is not a highly stressed 2.2L

These guys have the right idea they built a TDV6 into a defender 90 :Wow1:
http://bellautoservices.co.uk/about-us/

[blue bomber]

I do hope I have a shot at a " brand new" 110 before it disappears.

[Snagger]

So, the legal people at LR caused a multi-million pound replacement programme because they misinterpreted the legislation? Bollocks! LR are trying to backtrack now that they are receiving hugely negative public reactions to the new vehicle. Bring it out as a stable-mate, I say; I'm sure there will be a good interest from the leisure market and those who want a "lifestyle 4x4", and that benefits us all, but don't use it to replace the Defender - stiffen the door pillars and add airbags to improve passenger safety and make the front panels from ABS plastic while adding crush cans to the (shortened) dumbirons to improve third party safety and meet the new legislation (and allow US exports), but leave the design fundamentally as it is. 63 years of continuous production show the basic configuration is correct.

This model overlap plan is reminiscent of the RRC and P38, where LR had serious doubts over the success of the P38 (that is why they developed the Soft Dash RRC - a fail safe option if the P38 failed). The sad thing is that if the developed DC100 is a success, they may decide that means that the Defender is unwanted. Hopefully, Defender sales will remain strong enough to justify its continuation to LR while the DC100 becomes another golden egg like the Discovery and Freelander...

[overlander]

Here Here! Harrumph! I'm with the gentlemen from Bedford!

[haven]

Land Rover will show a slightly modified version of the defender concept at next week's LA auto show. Here's a sneak peak at the new version, which is now painted blue, sports a snorkle and roof rack, and has new alloy wheels.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-shows/los-angeles/land-rover-dc100-defender-concepts

[overlander]

ugghh!

[AsltPnr54]

Plastic roofracks? Low profile tires? Surfboards!!?

Go to the box and feel shame Land Rover.

[forsakenfuture]

Reminds me a lot of an FJ Cruiser.

[Snagger]

I think they're just trying to upset us now! ;)

[Antichrist]

This model overlap plan is reminiscent of the RRC and P38, where LR had serious doubts over the success of the P38 (that is why they developed the Soft Dash RRC - a fail safe option if the P38 failed). The sad thing is that if the developed DC100 is a success, they may decide that means that the Defender is unwanted. Hopefully, Defender sales will remain strong enough to justify its continuation to LR while the DC100 becomes another golden egg like the Discovery and Freelander...Yes, but for the average buyer there isn't that much difference between the Range Rover models.
I really can't imagine someone being in the market for a Defender and deciding to buy the DC100 instead.

[Scott C]

Reminds me a lot of an FJ Cruiser. About as much as an AEV unlimited reminds of a jeep compass.

[dwooten1401]

Land Rover North America seems dead set against having "new" Classic Defenders in the US, and lobby very hard to prevent the EPA or DOT from allowing a Registered Importer from bringing one in at any cost. The Defender does not fit there image of what a Land Rover should be - a high tech station wagon for ladies with gobs of leather and crap riding on squishy independent suspension or on puffs of air...

Personally, while I like them, I would never pay over $40K for a new NAS model. You will never again see a "new" Classic Defender in the US!!