could this be true... U.S. Defender?
I know, I know, we've all been hearing these rumors for years, which only seems to reinforce the pain each time it doesn't come to pass... However, I've seen a few blogs and websites recently reporting on the return of the Defender to the U.S. market for the 2008 model. Some of these reports have LR3-like artist renderings of the vehicle. Any thoughts or info on this?
http://www.motortrend.com/future/spi...over_defender/
http://www.automotive.com/spied-cars...der/index.html
Does the US Market Really Want a Defender?
As enthusiasts we often beg that Land Rover return a Defender to the US market. I'm a committed Series II-A owner, so a Defender 90 or 110 has always seemed aspirational to me. However, I have to admit that I've also choked on the cost of a Defender. While I have sacrificed several relationships [lovely women who have ruined it all when they said "let's take my car" instead of riding in my II-A], and declared a gentle form of penury while running my II-A's as daily drivers, I must also note that I have never anted up the cost for a Defender - any model, any year.
There are many kinds of Defender owners, but most are looking at their Defenders as lifestyle, not utility, vehicles. That means they are often 2nd or 3rd cars to owners. Even at the height of their popularity, Land Rover could never shift more than 1,500 a year in the 1990's into the US. I have to question whether we as Americans really want the Defender as it's currently configured. I know I would love to have access to a Defender without central locking, air conditioning, seat heaters, etc.
The drawings that you posted for us [thanks!] show a sort of Hummer or a version of an XTerra, not the Defender we know and admire from afar. It will be interesting to see if Land Rover recaptures its heritage with a lower cost Defender aimed at our market. Who wouldn't love to see the nameplate back in the US?
Best wishes,
Jeff