Not a Jimny

Saw my first new Defender on the road yesterday. Not actually as appalling as I was expecting but it is definitely an SUV not a work truck.

I'll be sticking with my Dreadnaught.

Looking at their web site it was probably a Defender 110, the 90 production has been delayed to September due to the Vitus. I was interested if you could spec a "low spec" version, less luxury and more workhorse, but it appears not at the moment. At the moment you get a high spec as standard, you can only add more. Not one I would purchase, I lost interest in Land Rovers when they started to fit carpets and heaters as standard, so no chance I will ever be a customer.

This is true. If Dreadnaught were not a company car but still being used in a similar manner I would have the carpets etc out and the floor bed lined much like my old defender much more durable and significantly easier to keep clean. Carpets have no place in a work truck.

That said for all you and I have deep reservations about buying the new defender when I went past Farnell at White Cross a couple of weeks ago there was a line of probably 10 or more evidently waiting for their new owners so someone must be buying them. Probably fashion types that want the newest rufty tufty looking thing now one can't get a new Jimny anymore.

I was following one and didn't know what it was until it turned off - I have to say the back end of it looked very cool, but I have to agree its more SUV and with great emphasis on less utility

Shame they went the SUV route while trading off the old Defender's name, but I suppose that's where the money is. They look pretty good, but if I was in the market for a SUV I'm not sure I could ignore the poor reputation for reliability that LR have. Landcruiser commercial seems a safer and more utilitarian bet, even if we do 'only' get the Prado LC in the UK.

Comparison of the dimensions of the original 80 in. Land Rover and ( in brackets ) the Gen 4 Jimny.
Length 132 in. (143.5 in.)
Width 61 in. ( 64.76 in.)
Height 70.5 in. ( 67.13 in.)
Weight 2594 lb ( 2348 lb )

The new Defender has expanded somewhat since its 1948 origins!

And yet on the road the 110 I saw didn't actually look that huge, big certainly but it was hiding it well if you know what I mean.

I passed my first new model Land Rover Defender last week on the Motorway - assumed it was a press car heading for the Scottish Highlands? As an ex-Land Rover customer I saw little that would attract me back into their dealership network. In fact it rekindled memories of some truly awful after-sales customer service, shoddy build quality and 'free' muffins and coffee whilst we waited yet again for the service technicians to repair it. Interestingly that 2014 model Defender bought new and with a full dealership service history reminds me of a triumph of style over substance. I also continue to note its abysmal online record at passing an annual MOT without repairs and advisories - thankfully I no longer own it or face the constant repair bills and general hassle. Meanwhile over at Suzuki Central I simply put petrol in it, turn the key and enjoy the sense of pleasure at my fingertips. Thankfully my pension pot isn't invested in or reliant on Land Rover products.