Published 10:53am, 31 August 2011,
• Land Rover DC100 investigates the potential future direction of the iconic Defender
• Demonstrates the future of Land Rover capability and versatility
• Functional and purposeful design delivered by Land Rover design team, led by Gerry McGovern
• Land Rover confirms its intention to launch a new Defender in 2015
The Land Rover DC100, a modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Land Rover also confirms today, that production of a new Defender is intended for 2015.
Commenting on the Land Rover DC100 concept car, Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover said: “Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn’t a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century.”
John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added: “Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.
We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalise the details of the new vehicle. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to get going.”
The Land Rover DC100 concept builds upon the essential elements of the car’s character and allows Land Rover to open the debate and inspire people to dream about the Defenders of the future. The next chapter in the Defender story will unfold at 09:15 hrs (CET) on September 13, 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
They ruined the front end, and need to replace the upper cargo windows!!! Leave the low-pro tires to the Evoque. That ugly thing will NOT appeal to the people who bleed green and have kept the marque alive. Back to the drawing board, guys….
My first and immediate thought was “This looks like a BAD movie sequel titled:: Freelander – REBORN.” As I examined the front-end….I started to wonder if this is a Land Rover or some roid-rage VW (look at that front end…..looks like a VW doesn’t it? Cute winch!). Upper portion of the roof/doors/windows for some reason make me feel like they cut the top off a new Toyota FJ40 and bolted it onto a two door Freelander.
Doesn’t look at all like it was redesigned, just a bunch of ideas stolen and tweaked from other manufacturer’s and put together to form this thing. My ’95 D90 would leak oil on this and feel good about it.
Hate it.
COOL…
Question is now… will it come to the US, and how much will it cost.
Completely agree with Jeffzx9… that thing as faux off-road, but real-life ugly. Worst of both.
Guess Defender re-sell values will stay high!
I’ve owned 3 defenders and currently own a series II 88″. This is a sad day. This looks closer to an updated sidekick or rav 4 than a defender. It’s good news for current D90 owners as “Real” D 90′s will surely rise in value with the uninspired look of the new one.
“Sightings” section of the Rovers magazine will be a paragraph instead of 2 or 3 pages. I would suggest LR look over to the numerous Jeep refreshes that kept the true soul of the vehicle in tact while updating electronics and creature comforts enough to have Jeeps best sales month in 70 years in July of this year.
Who at LR can imagine lifting this thing throwing a set of BF mud terrains and barreling through a forest. I think this design is too rounded, sleek and sterile to ever pass as a “real” defender. I doubt very much Ralph Lauren will be featuring one of these in it’s “rugged icons” section of their website ever again.
Ugh !
I agree, not what I have waited since 1997 for! I’m glad I just purchased a 2011 Jeep Wrangler!
It looks like they put a Disco front end on a Toyota LandCruiser! YUCK!
You can not compare this vehicle with the classic Defender in no way what so ever
I think I’m going to be ill. How can that be wearing the Defender badge. I own a Disc 1 and dream Series and Defender but that will keep me rooted firmly in the past!
I’m afraid this will spell the END of the “iconic” Defender bloodline – and I’m no racist. This ugly thing will end up on the dump and won’t be something treasured by our children’s, children – it seriously looks like a jacked-up mini cooper and I for one will NOT be inspired by it – nor my 19 year old daughter – there’s nothing wrong with the current “old” design – just let it be for crying out loud!
“…meeting the requirements of a changing global market…” is this a joke?
Agreed. Back to the drawing board!! There’s no way a Freelander-loking POS will replace an icon.
Looks too much like an FJ Cruizer: FAIL !
Pathetic.
This is further proof that everything in the world is being plasticized and feminized.
At least Rovers North will still make real Defenders right?
Ditto that…unfortunately
LR just screwed the pooch on this one,in the picture it looks like a hidden winch poking out the nose.hope it comes standard on this vehicle and easy to get to? For me,it looks like they are moving away from the off road market with all the electronics that will not hold up where we wheel in NJ.sucks to be us….I’m done with the Green Oval.
You mean the “alpine” windows as opposed to “upper cargo windows”? Surly a green bleeding marque supporting guy like you knows the proper name and why they were named / designed into the marqee….hmmmm?
My first reaction was your’re kidding???? Hardly a replacement for such a great vehicle. Sure maybe it needs some looking at considering fuel type, economy, and emissions but this does not cut it in my books! Do not fix it if it is not broken……
Front end is not a Land Rover at all. Looks more like a Nissan Juke or even Jeep Patriot. Head lights look like clones of the Toyota FJ and those big “B” pillars, which will make for huge blind spots, something Land Rover is famous for NOT having……..
Except for having windows, 4 wheels, couple of doors, I cannot see any styling cues pointing towards the legacy of the Series and D-90/110′s here. None at all. This looks like a “cute ute” for mall crawling. Evoque will have that covered.
Porsche found out the hard way, when they started getting away from the classic 360/911 “look” their customer base revolted mightily. So now, all Porsche products have design cues in them that point towards “this is a Porsche”. This does not do any of that for Land Rover. It looks too copycat.
Or is this a disguise for the Jaguar SUV that is supposed to come out about the same time frame?? Throwing off the competition to think it is a LR product when in reality it will be a Jag product?? Lines look more like a Jag anyway.
Epic Fail
I don’t see any trace of homage to the original D90. I agree with Jeff – the front end is ruined, and the cargo windows are a signature. Why in the world would you drop them on the Defender if you retain them on the D3 and D4? Looks like a cross between a FJ Cruiser and a RAV4. Not something that could compete in a Camel Trophy.
The Land Rover DC100, a modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Land Rover also confirms today, that production of a new Defender is intended for 2015.
Commenting on the Land Rover DC100 concept car, Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover said: “Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn’t a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century.”
John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added: “Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market. http://www.ztlights.com/
Reminds me of a Skoda Yeti. Inspired?
Front is very ugly.
i think it looks like, say a SUZUKI vvt or MATCHBOX toy car,which i think the SUZUKI will be more powerful?
stick with it landrover, T5 platform V6 Diesel, improve a workhorse.
I will buy a new Defender when it arrives, but not if it looks like THIS! They should take a lesson from Porsche’s 911 and allow the design to continue to evolve without ruining the classic lines. The current Defender looks and is configured the way it is as a result of years of trial and error and correction. I wouldnt mess with something that aint broke.
I hope the designers and management are reading this blog and take notice to the steady stream of distaste for this design. I also hope they throw up a much more evolutionary design so they can see Defender 90 fans rally around it!
Wow terrible, what is going to happen when I hit a rock, the front end will go kusploosh. and how about the rear windows jeez how much do you want it cost to replace those. 20,000 grand. I wouldn’t be suprised, if the asked $80,000 for that P.O.S. Thank god I have a discovery, before they installed floatation devices.
It will definitely have a Jag motor, look at the Bowler Nemesis, that thing is pretty much made by Jaguar.@ Jakehines