Another Defender hint?

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umbertob

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I was invited to the North America debut of the Defender tonight in Downtown L.A. Nice event, packed with people. Gerry McGovern was there and introduced it - same speech he gave in Germany, give or take a few remarks. JLR CEO Ralph Spieth was in attendance as well, along with Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO of JLR NA. John Mayer - the musician, who also happens to be a big Defender fan (a D90 in mint conditions from his Defender "collection" was on display along with a bunch of other LR vehicles, from RR Classics to Velars and Sports) sang a couple of songs. The new 2-door D90 was also introduced, it was announced that a decently equipped First Edition D90 will cost $65,100 - so it definitely won't be much cheaper than the 110, apparently - and it will not be available for another year (Fall 2020). Nothing was said about an upcoming 130, so I assume that's got to be well over a year before we might see such an animal here in North America. They also had one of the "Murdered Out" D110s used in the latest Bond movie on display, spray-on mud an all. And we got to check out the new models inside and out, which was nice. Food and booze were delicious, too.

In my opinion, the new Defender is quite a looker in person, it's got a presence that I don't think translates well in photos and you have to stand next to one to appreciate how substantial this car is. The interior is very spacious and bright, to me it manages to look elegant and utilitarian at the same time, nice job there. Although I only sat in it for a few minute, the seats are super comfy and you will be right at home behind the wheel - it very much feels like our LR4 in there, plenty of visibility all around you and lots of headroom (the back seats seem roomier than the LR4's as well). The trunk / loadspace is definitely smallish if you are coming from a Disco / LR4, and the door opening in the back is definitely quite narrow to load your stuff up. I like the design of the front end more than I thought I would although I don't see any similarities with the old generation, but the rear end is really well done and looks like nothing else but a Defender. A few bits and pieces, in the loadspace area and under the car especially, felt very flimsy and cheap, hopefully just cardboard show covers that won't make it on the final production (all these new Defenders will be brought to the Convention Center to be displayed at the LA Auto Show, which opens to the public in just a few days.)

I took some photos, but nothing you and I haven't already seen online from the Frankfurt reveal, so I won't bore you with them. Maybe I'll post a few shots of the Bond vehicle, that was pretty cool to see actually. I am still inclined to give my deposit to the first local dealer willing to take my order - at MSRP and not a penny more. The GM of a nearby dealership told me it would probably be until next July or August before I can take delivery. I made friends with him, so we'll see... He told me to go see him and he would take care of me.
 

CaliDisco

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Hi Umbertob,

Great write up! I just got back from the same event. Agreed-Very nice evening. Food, drinks, Etc.

A few things struck me instantly: yes- the vehicle has great presence. And there are things about it which are undoubtedly cool. However I just couldn’t warm up to a couple of key things-

First off it definitely has a playful, friendly like quality which keeps it from feeling serious... this is the main reason I think of it as an LR5 rather than a Defender... this is especially true with regards to the front end which I have a tough time with. From the rounded soft nature of it, to the odd sockets the lights are modeled in, to the fake diamond plate on the fenders, to the bizarre hood shape, to the several miss matched patterns and textures... just didn’t work I’m afraid!

On the interior side though the basic theme is cool, I also felt it was overwhelmingly playful and far from business like. Thick soft sections un-defined and chunky... not in a robust way- more in a Tupperware way.

The best way I can describe it was “plasticky” a bit like a Rover Mini which had been scaled up. See also Toyota Scion and FJ..

I also really disliked the thick a pillars and high sides, and lack of folding armrest. It has NONE of the brilliant command of road positioning that the LR4 features beautifully! I found it massively disappointing in that regard. Just for comparison I sat in the original defender, old range and D2 they had available at the event. Night and day difference!

On the plus side the rear of the vehicle along with the spare is great. The 130 is sure to be even better. As the rear compartment does feel seriously compromised relative to an LR4.

I do want to test drive them and experience it in day light outdoors. The event was indoors and with a good crowd of people.. I might change my mind. I want to really be in love with this thing! But maybe times have just changed and the Rover I know and love has truly become something else. I still “like” it! -it just doesn’t have the rugged authenticity and mystique I was hoping for.
 

namenda

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So diesel is available in the UK, not in North America.
 

jaamrode

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So diesel is available in the UK, not in North America.
It’s been reported multiple times and in release literature from Land Rover that the d300 will come to the US in 2021. The 2020 model has very limited options more options will come for later models.

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jwest

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On the plus side the rear of the vehicle along with the spare is great. The 130 is sure to be even better. As the rear compartment does feel seriously compromised relative to an LR4.

This is the main reason I could never buy the new D110. I have not seen it in person (where I would be carrying a tape measure) but the photos especially with 2nd row seats up clearly reveal its reduction in cargo area versatility, which is quite ironic IMO. The rear door access gap width also appear to have narrowed and the length of space from center console to rear door looks at least 5-10 inches shorter. The floor to ceiling in cargo/2nd row is hard to guess but tendency of all new Land Rovers going to sloped roof squashed body shapes leads me to believe it also loses cargo space height.

If the interior functionality isn't better than my 2007 lr3, then it really doesn't matter if it has an awesome chassis or transmission.
 

CaliDisco

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This is the main reason I could never buy the new D110. I have not seen it in person (where I would be carrying a tape measure) but the photos especially with 2nd row seats up clearly reveal its reduction in cargo area versatility, which is quite ironic IMO. The rear door access gap width also appear to have narrowed and the length of space from center console to rear door looks at least 5-10 inches shorter. The floor to ceiling in cargo/2nd row is hard to guess but tendency of all new Land Rovers going to sloped roof squashed body shapes leads me to believe it also loses cargo space height.

If the interior functionality isn't better than my 2007 lr3, then it really doesn't matter if it has an awesome chassis or transmission.

Distance from the console to the swing gate was certainly shorter. Forget about an air mattress in the 110! I definitely don’t have hard numbers but my guess is that the second row has noticeably more room than LR4 which is nice. The rear door felt very long as well... while this was probably done for entry egress to the rear compartment it definitely is a turn off from an off roading perspective. All doors felt notably thicker as well.. bummer!

I gather they are planning on making spaciousness a big part of 130’s appeal. The stow and go third row option in 110 is a joke!!! I only use my third row seats from time to time, family visits, extra friends etc. but still it’s nice to have the capability. 130 will be much closer to LR4 and I have a feeling it’ll look cooler the 110 as well...
 

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