|
The Land Rover Defender Update
|
In August 2011, Land Rover announced an update of the Defender for the 2012 model year. By this time, Land Rover had publically acknowledged that it was working on a project to produce an all-new replacement for the Defender. This would lead to the unveiling of the first DC100 concept vehicle in September that year. While emissions and safety regulations have threatened the Defender since the early 2000s, these had either been avoided through "grandfather rights", or Land Rover had found ways to modify the vehicle to economically meet the new requirements. However, safety regulations due for introduction in 2015 requiring minimum pedestrian safety standards and the fitment of airbags to commercial vehicles cannot be met without a wholesale redesign of the Defender. The main change in the 2012 models was the installation of a different engine from the Ford Duratorq engine range. The 2.4-litre engine introduced in 2007 was not capable of meeting the upcoming Euro V emissions standards and so was replaced with the ZSD-422 engine, essentially a 2.2-litre variant of the same engine. The 2015 current model will be the last of this series and will no doubt be an instant classic. |
| Proposed 2016 Land Rover Defender | |
|
It appears that it is almost certain that by
this time next year in 2016 the next generation of the long anticipated
Land Rover Defender will be finally available, and it’ll be
available once again in the United States. I hasn't been imported
since 1997. Automobile Magazine claims insiders have hinted that at least five body styles will be on offer: two-door short-wheelbase with a metal top, two-door short wheelbase with a soft top, a four-door long wheelbase with a metal top, two-door short wheelbase pickup, and a four-door long-wheelbase pickup. A variety of engines will also be available, such as two 2.0-liter diesels, two 2.0-liter four bangers, and a 300-hp 3.0-liter V6 that’ll replace the V8. Buyers will be able to choose either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic on all engines. Both gearboxes can also be paired to a low-range transfer case and two differential locks as an option. Most importantly, the new Defender will once again be truly off-road capable. It’ll retain the live axle setup, but the SUV’s frame itself won’t be made of iron. Instead, it’ll consist of two subframes attached to a light unibody. It’ll still be a rough ride because features like an air suspension and active body control won’t be offered in an effort to save costs. LR hopes to sell at least 30,000 units annually, but production can easily be increased if there’s demand. |
