2007 Defender

According to Photos in today's Autocar, changes outside are a bonnet bulge
to accommodate the new 2.2ltr. 4 cylinder diesel engine 128bhp/228lbft.
But inside a total redo, gone are the dash and heating controls we all know
and love to be replaced with a dash and centre consul identical to the new
Freelander with car like air vents and conventional heating controls in the
centre.
Forward facing rear seats replace the side seats too.

--
Regards
Bob

> According to Photos in today's Autocar, changes outside are a bonnet bulge
> to accommodate the new 2.2ltr. 4 cylinder diesel engine 128bhp/228lbft.
> But inside a total redo, gone are the dash and heating controls we all
know
> and love to be replaced with a dash and centre consul identical to the new
> Freelander with car like air vents and conventional heating controls in
the
> centre.
> Forward facing rear seats replace the side seats too.
>
> --

YUK

Bob Hobden wrote:
> According to Photos in today's Autocar, changes outside are a bonnet bulge
> to accommodate the new 2.2ltr. 4 cylinder diesel engine 128bhp/228lbft.
> But inside a total redo, gone are the dash and heating controls we all know
> and love to be replaced with a dash and centre consul identical to the new
> Freelander with car like air vents and conventional heating controls in the
> centre.
> Forward facing rear seats replace the side seats too.
>
> --
> Regards
> Bob

Strange how the developments incorporate internal AC etc etc but I bet
the doors willl still leak!

On or around Wed, 9 Aug 2006 15:40:27 +0100, "Bob Hobden" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>According to Photos in today's Autocar,

ooh, have to have a look out for that tomorrow.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"If you cannot mould yourself as you would wish, how can you expect
other people to be entirely to your liking?"
Thomas À Kempis (1380 - 1471) Imitation of Christ, I.xvi.

>
> Strange how the developments incorporate internal AC etc etc but I bet
> the doors willl still leak!
>

Hope the AC does'nt leak or the Ozone will suffer !

"Austin Shackles" wrote ...
>after "Bob Hobden" > enlightened us thusly:
>
>>According to Photos in today's Autocar,
>
> ooh, have to have a look out for that tomorrow.

It's only a very small article with two photos obviously taken in the
factory with a mobile phone. I think there will be lots of comments about
the dash which is a total departure for this vehicle, mind you it wouldn't
be the first time Autocar have been "wound up" by someone selling "spy
shots".
Thinking about it, I presume the front flaps we all love are no longer
needed/provided unless they are connected to the round air vents in the
dash.
Not worth spending the money on the Mag unless there are other articles to
interest you though.

--
Regards
Bob

On or around Wed, 9 Aug 2006 23:08:39 +0100, "Bob Hobden" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>
>"Austin Shackles" wrote ...
>>after "Bob Hobden" > enlightened us thusly:
>>
>>>According to Photos in today's Autocar,
>>
>> ooh, have to have a look out for that tomorrow.
>
>It's only a very small article with two photos obviously taken in the
>factory with a mobile phone. I think there will be lots of comments about
>the dash which is a total departure for this vehicle, mind you it wouldn't
>be the first time Autocar have been "wound up" by someone selling "spy
>shots".
>Thinking about it, I presume the front flaps we all love are no longer
>needed/provided unless they are connected to the round air vents in the
>dash.
>Not worth spending the money on the Mag unless there are other articles to
>interest you though.

I'll read it in the shop
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Appearances: You don't really need make-up. Celebrate your authentic
face by frightening people in the street.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.

People Hi,

in addition to the above,

the windscreen flaps will be abandoned.
The new engine will be mated to a 6 speed gearbox.

Take care
Pantelis

"Bob Hobden" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> According to Photos in today's Autocar, changes outside are a bonnet bulge
> to accommodate the new 2.2ltr. 4 cylinder diesel engine 128bhp/228lbft.
> But inside a total redo, gone are the dash and heating controls we all
know
> and love to be replaced with a dash and centre consul identical to the new
> Freelander with car like air vents and conventional heating controls in
the
> centre.
> Forward facing rear seats replace the side seats too.
>
> --
> Regards
> Bob
>
>

In message <[email protected]>
"Pantelis Giamarellos" <[email protected]> wrote:

> People Hi,
>
> in addition to the above,
>
> the windscreen flaps will be abandoned.

I would really miss them - they are a must when laning or
stuck in traffic for me.

> The new engine will be mated to a 6 speed gearbox.

I hope to god it's nothing like the current Transit engine. I
hired one (18ft Luton) to move house on Friday. Though if felt
very free-revving, even when empty I was up and down the gearbox
something rotten to keep it moving an any sort of hill. Loaded,
it was gutless in the extreme, infact we got the clutch very hot
reversing into the drive at the new house on a very moderate
slope - about 20ft in all. I would have dreaded towing anything
heavy with it.

Also, the hire bloke (a customer) told me that out of the
30 vehicles (all less than a year old) with that engine in
in his fleet, 27 had had new engines and/or top end re-builds.
The fuel pump has a plastic gear lubricated by the fuel, and if
the fuel is interrupted for even a short time the gear breaks
up and does "a timing belt" on the engine.

Overall, it's exactly the wrong engine for a Defender, and
I've no reason to suppose the new one will be any more approprite.
In fact, the six speed box probably tells me all I need to know -
no torque and therefore no engine braking.

Defender RIP, yuppie truck here we come :-(

>
> Take care
> Pantelis
>

Richard

> "Bob Hobden" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > According to Photos in today's Autocar, changes outside are a bonnet bulge
> > to accommodate the new 2.2ltr. 4 cylinder diesel engine 128bhp/228lbft.
> > But inside a total redo, gone are the dash and heating controls we all
> know
> > and love to be replaced with a dash and centre consul identical to the new
> > Freelander with car like air vents and conventional heating controls in
> the
> > centre.
> > Forward facing rear seats replace the side seats too.
> >
> > --
> > Regards
> > Bob
> >
> >
>
>

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

"Pantelis Giamarellos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> People Hi,
>
> in addition to the above,
>
> the windscreen flaps will be abandoned.
> The new engine will be mated to a 6 speed gearbox.
>

But is it going to have the oomph to pull itself and a useful trailer
without having to drop down to 3rd every time it sees a hill?

Steve

"beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:f5543f544e%[email protected]...
>
> Overall, it's exactly the wrong engine for a Defender

Yup. I'd have liked to see a nice 3 litre straight-six diesel mated to a
six-speed box. For the complete wish-list I'd also like a triple ratio
transfer box (high, intermediate and low), sump/steering guards as standard,
bomb-proof diffs and shafts, sand ladders or ramp-ettes as standard (stowed
just below the rear body and able to be slid out like you get on Ifor
trailers), quick-releasable hard top and/or rear body upper side panels, a
petrol version with dual-fuel capability factory fitted, the return of some
decent galvanizing (and the debut of galvanizing on the chassis!) ......

Ah yes, now that would be something.

Steve

In message <[email protected]>
"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:f5543f544e%[email protected]...
> >
> > Overall, it's exactly the wrong engine for a Defender
>
> Yup. I'd have liked to see a nice 3 litre straight-six diesel mated to a
> six-speed box. For the complete wish-list I'd also like a triple ratio
> transfer box (high, intermediate and low), sump/steering guards as standard,
> bomb-proof diffs and shafts, sand ladders or ramp-ettes as standard (stowed
> just below the rear body and able to be slid out like you get on Ifor
> trailers), quick-releasable hard top and/or rear body upper side panels, a
> petrol version with dual-fuel capability factory fitted, the return of some
> decent galvanizing (and the debut of galvanizing on the chassis!) ......
>
> Ah yes, now that would be something.

Well, personaly a 4-cylinder long-stroke engine would be fine. Provosion
for your above extras would be good, but perhaps a bit OTT for the base
model, but that would make it simple to adapt for specific market segments.

It'd probably be expensive - bit it would likely sell too, as there's
no competition - always the best marketing ploy

I also reckon that the return of a PTO suitable for Quad bike type
PTO equipment would be selling point.

And a forward control option.

Sounds stangely farmiliar....

I wonder what the Wilkes family are up to these days?

>
> Steve
>

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

http://www.autocarmag.com/news_article.asp?na_id=221617

You're welcome.

E.

In article <[email protected]>,
wifiman <[email protected]> wrote:
>http://www.autocarmag.com/news_article.asp?na_id=221617

Looks - from that picture - like the below-windscreen flaps are
still there - though where they feed to is another question.

--
Andy Breen ~ Not speaking on behalf of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Feng Shui: an ancient oriental art for extracting
money from the gullible (Martin Sinclair)

In message <[email protected]>
"wifiman" <[email protected]> wrote:

> http://www.autocarmag.com/news_article.asp?na_id=221617
>
> You're welcome.
>
> E.
>
>

Well the outside is very good, i.e. pretty much left alone -
a big relief, thoughit looks all wrong without the vents.

The inside........ aaarrrrrrrgghhhhhhhhhhh. Talk about Palitoy!
I can see my knee benging against the centre console.

It's a pity we can't see if they've got rid of the bloody stupid
potentiometer(s) on the accelerator pedal though.

A steering wheel might be viewed as a good idea.

That's the workshop at GDEC, Gaydon, by the look of it.

Richard
--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

On or around Thu, 10 Aug 2006 15:27:37 +0100, beamendsltd
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>> The new engine will be mated to a 6 speed gearbox.
>
>I hope to god it's nothing like the current Transit engine. I
>hired one (18ft Luton) to move house on Friday. Though if felt
>very free-revving, even when empty I was up and down the gearbox
>something rotten to keep it moving an any sort of hill. Loaded,
>it was gutless in the extreme, infact we got the clutch very hot
>reversing into the drive at the new house on a very moderate
>slope - about 20ft in all. I would have dreaded towing anything
>heavy with it.

might have been a gutless version of the engine though. The 2.4 comes in
several levels of tune and the proposed transit one if it is indeed that
would be equivalent to the top spec transit, which hire ones seldom are. as
to overheating the clutch, well, provided they still have low box, that
should solve that problem.

Mind, I reckon they're in danger of perpetuating the long-standing land
rover disease of fitting too-small engines. They'd do better to use the 2.7
V6 as per the disco 3.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right
is to be none the less free than you were before."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180), from Meditations, VIII.16

On or around Thu, 10 Aug 2006 17:12:42 +0100, "wifiman"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>http://www.autocarmag.com/news_article.asp?na_id=221617
>
>You're welcome.

oooh, ta. now I see why I couldn't find the article in the shop today, I
was looking in auto express.

mind, I'm not sure about the accuracy. to my knowledge, the current
transits are 2.0 and 2.4, there isn't a 2.2...

ah. belay that.

http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/transit/tv_specifications/tv_engines/-/-/-/-

and whyTF can't they fit the 2.4 in 140ps/375NM form? bloody morons.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then
something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination -
we learned to talk." Pink Floyd (1994)

"Austin Shackles" wrote :

> might have been a gutless version of the engine though. The 2.4 comes in
> several levels of tune and the proposed transit one if it is indeed that
> would be equivalent to the top spec transit, which hire ones seldom are.
> as
> to overheating the clutch, well, provided they still have low box, that
> should solve that problem.
>
> Mind, I reckon they're in danger of perpetuating the long-standing land
> rover disease of fitting too-small engines. They'd do better to use the
> 2.7
> V6 as per the disco 3.

Well what are the outputs of the current engine?

--
Regards
Bob

"wifiman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> http://www.autocarmag.com/news_article.asp?na_id=221617
>
> You're welcome.
>
> E.
>

Well, I suppose I could live with a pregnant looking bonnet, but that dash
......EWWWYUUUCK!
WTF is the idea behind making everything appealing to mum's and kids in
cities?

The current Defender not broken, why are they fixing them?
And as for the US market - I've been over here in Canada (and US) for the
last 6 months, and I've seen 2 disco II's and 1 disco III. Doesn't say much
for the size of the market. I see both Defenders and Disco's all over the
place at home in Oz.

--
Craig Bailey.
Tacky advert for our club:
Sunshine Coast LRO Club, Qld
www.ozemail.com.au/~cybergus



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On or around Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:31:04 +0100, "Bob Hobden" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>
>"Austin Shackles" wrote :
>
>> might have been a gutless version of the engine though. The 2.4 comes in
>> several levels of tune and the proposed transit one if it is indeed that
>> would be equivalent to the top spec transit, which hire ones seldom are.
>> as
>> to overheating the clutch, well, provided they still have low box, that
>> should solve that problem.
>>
>> Mind, I reckon they're in danger of perpetuating the long-standing land
>> rover disease of fitting too-small engines. They'd do better to use the
>> 2.7
>> V6 as per the disco 3.
>
>Well what are the outputs of the current engine?

dunno, TDis are 111 bhp and 200 ft lb. But they're universally reckoned to
be only just enough, and although the TD5 has bigger numbers, it's also
reckoned not to be so useful off-road. The TDi disco is OK, it'll get to
about 100 eventually, if you tune it right. But it struggles with the sort
of loads it shoudl pull easily and pulling maximum weight it REALLY
struggles, IME.

The top-spec 2.4 transit duratorq has 140 ps and 375 Nm, which is I think
about 270 ft lb without working it out again - it's a transient overboost
thing, ISTR and would make a useful engine in the defender, the extra torque
at full boot would be very useful for overtaking and also for pulling up
banks on the motorway with a trailer on. Anything much less really isn't
worth the effort - the 2.2 is defeintely down on torque compared to the TD5,
and doubtless has the same trait of needing lots of revs.


--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine... War is hell"
Gen. Sherman (1820-1891) Attr. words in Address at Michigan Military
Academy, 19 June 1879.