SPIED: As We INCH Closer To The Launch Of The Land Rover Defender, MORE Spy Shots Emerge

Although Jaguar Land Rover is currently dealing with some troubles, really it's only one part of that equation. Jaguar has seen better days.

Land Rover, on the other hand, seems to be in pretty good health. Its product portfolio is pretty fresh and demand for Land Rover and Range Rover products is in a good spot. Sure, the Discovery Sport sucks but the all-new Velar is doing well and the other Range Rover vehicles remain sticky for those with deep pockets.

The big question mark, however, is the upcoming Defender. There's quite a bit riding on this, mostly due to the nameplate and Land Rover's heritage.

Frankly, now that the Evoque is a bit played out, the company needs another sport-utility vehicle or truck with a low barrier of entry that will lead their next leg of growth. This could be it IF Land Rover executes.

From what we've seen though, it's looking a bit dicey. The leaked interior picture isn't exactly a home run and the latest spy shots show a box on wheels that has peculiar proportions. It's more cute and femme than utilitarian and masculine.

If Land Rover goes down that road, kiss the Defender legacy and all hopes of a success goodbye.



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CANADIANCOMMENTS - 5/4/2019 5:52:38 PM

+2 Boost

It will be like the DCC100 with a new face and rear. It will not be a direct descendent to the Defender with a Series III bloodline coursing through it. The recipe was there but they chose to ignore it. It will be a soap bar, smoothed out and with a crease here and there they will try to claim heritage "inspired" styling being equal to the real thing. Mercedes would have done a proper job.

MDarringer - 5/4/2019 7:34:41 PM

0 Boost

This will be an epic disaster.

Dexter1 - 5/5/2019 1:40:56 PM

0 Boost

Land Rover should be ashamed to let the essence of the iconic Defender sink to being just another contrived SUV.

TomM - 5/5/2019 3:47:13 PM

+2 Boost

Tata is having problems. ITs current crop of vehicles is not selling

Jaguar/RR is losing money - and they spent their development money on an EV that is clearly overpriced for its size. Their reputation for reliability has gone out the window - which was the basis for RR for decades - and once lost -that is the hardest one to get back. (And remember - Jaguar never really had that one - with their electrical systems)

SO - TATA will have no choice but to continue keeping the current platforms for the Jaguar/RR cars around - which will only make things worse.

Unless something changes - I would suggest that they will be looking to offload Jaguar/rr within the next two years or so.

PUGPROUD - 5/6/2019 7:53:52 AM

0 Boost

This is a bet your company all in introduction. Get it right and Defender sales good for the next decade but get it wrong and the entire brand is tarnished by association. Replacing icons is tough.