Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show was Land Rover's concept car, the DC100. Could this be the new Defender?
THE Land Rover Defender has been with us since the beginning of time. Recently, there has been rumours and speculation with it being replaced and or even scrapped. The reasons possibly being due to the ever more stringent regulations.
The DC100 (pictured) was unveiled at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Smart looking concept car it is. But a replacement for the Defender? Not a chance.
You see, the Defender is an iconic, classless motor that should live forever. A tough, simple, no-nonsense vehicle that can go anywhere. It doesn't look like a Defender at all and I'm not convinced it's designed to replace it. If Land Rover was to replace the old stalwart with the DC100. Sorry but it's a failure in my book.
Don't get me wrong, the DC100 is a smart looking concept car and would very much fit into the Land Rover line up. It looks too chintzy and too much of a lifestyle vehicle - which the Defender isn't. If the DC100 was designed to rival the likes of the Skoda Yeti and Nissan Qashqai, Land Rover would be onto a winner here.
If Land Rover are actually on the works of replacing the Defender. They're onto a mammoth task - they only know too well because it's a big deal. That's always the case with replacing an iconic motor and the Defender is no exception.
At the end of the day, they shouldn't really try fixing something if it isn't broken because the current Defender (even if it is more than 60 years old, warts 'n' all) is perfect as it is.
At the end of the day, they shouldn't really try fixing something if it isn't broken because the current Defender (even if it is more than 60 years old, warts 'n' all) is perfect as it is.
Seen the official presentation of the DC100 and want to share my 2p:
ReplyDeleteLand Rover does not have an idea of what the Defender stand for, it never was and never will be a fashion or trendy car.
From the very conception it is a work tool, so versatile that itself converted to legend. A legend that enabled the sales of all the other LR models.
It started with farmers, construction places, developing countries, disaster areas, helpng to discover and explore our world. Always carrying people and material in a reliable way. Never looking pretty, a dent or two just accentuates its character, no need for makeup. That is the Defender icon !
It is also the most democratic car in the world, behind the wheel can be a count, prince or a gardener you can never tell.
It never was meant to be the weekend playcar (DC100 sport)
Just take a look at the use LR gives the Defender, in every expedition (Ruta Maya, Camel Trophy, G4, LR Experience) the Defender is the workhorse that carries all the tools and supplies. What are they gonna use now?
Dont get me wrong, I know the current design is outdated, LR needs to improve:
Reliability, Greener and more powerful powertrain, reliability, Working HVAC, Cheaper to build body, reliability, Ergonomics
I really don´t care if the new Defender looks completely different from the current one. I need a car that can take the beaten path without complaining and bring me back home.
What LR needs to design is a vehicle that can keep the legend alive, and borror part of that legend to the other LR models to improve their sales.
What I see in the DC100 is just another fashion design that could have been produced by any brand.