Land Rover’s Defender is the stuff of legend. With a design
that’s barely budged from the boxy shape of the utilitarian and mechanically
bulletproof “Land Rover” unveiled in 1948, the Defender, just like its Germanic
rival, the G-Glass, has a reputation for being one of the most capable vehicles
off the road.
Unfortunately, the off-roading icon was phased out
at the start of 2016 due to safety and emissions regulations—after
more than three decades of continuous prodcution. The good news is that a
successor is coming in 2020, and a prototype has just been spotted.
Redesigning an icon is no easy task, and Land Rover has no
intention of taking the easy route of simply updating the original design to
meet the latest regulations, like what Mercedes-Benz did
with its redesigned G-Class. It appears Land Rover is increasing the size
of the Defender as well as maintaining some of the proportions of the original
while toughening up the stance.
Finer details like the contours of the hood and roof as well
as the design of the rear canopy are all hidden under thick camouflage gear. We
can see that the overhangs are extremely short, especially at the front.
The prototype is for a long-wheelbase Defender but a
short-wheelbase model is also planned. Various body styles are also planned
including 3- and 5-door versions as well as a pickup. The short-wheelbase model
could end up as a Defender Sport. We've also heard that plug-in
hybrid and full
electric Defenders are planned.
The redesigned Defender was originally due in 2015 but
frequent design changes led to delays. The DC100
line of concept vehicles from 2011 was meant to hint at a new,
inexpensive Defender designed to target Toyota’s Hilux workhorse. Those plans
apparently didn’t sit well with Defender devotees and so it was back to the
drawing board for the design team. The vehicle is now confirmed for a market
launch in 2020, meaning we'll likely see it arrive as a 2021 model.
Under the revised plan, the Defender will be positioned as a
premium offering not unlike the G-Class. This has meant a switch to the next
generation version of the D7U lightweight aluminum unibody structure
underpinning the larger Range Rover SUVs, as well as the Discovery. This means
fully independent suspension front and rear, with the new rear design in clear
view in the spy shots. A low-range transfer case and multiple differential locks
should still be present for superior performance when going off-road.
Powertrains should include a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
as the base option and the same engine working with an electric motor in
plug-in hybrid guise. Such a setup features in plug-in hybrid versions
of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport where it delivers 398
horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 6-cylinder is also
likely, and as mentioned earlier a full-electric option is expected.
It's possible the redesigned Defender will be previewed this
year to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the original Land Rover's
arrival. It's too early to talk pricing but expect the Defender to be
positioned alongside the Range Rover Sport in Land Rover's lineup.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074237_2021-land-rover-defender-spy-shots
by Viknesh Viyayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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